The New Gulag - Mental Health Detentions And The Criminalization Of Dissent John & Nisha Whitehead Aug 6, 2025 The Government’s War On Homelessness—Much Like Its War On Terrorism, Its War On Drugs, Its War On Illegal Immigration, And Its War On COVID-19—Is Yet Another Trojan Horse. First, President Trump issues an executive order empowering federal agencies to clear out homeless encampments and lock up the homeless in mental institutions using involuntary civil commitment laws intended for dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises. Days later, a gunman allegedly suffering from a mental illness opens fire in New York City, killing four before turning the gun on himself. Coming on the heels of Trump’s executive order aimed at “ending crime and disorder on America’s streets,” the shooting has all the makings of a modern-day Reichstag fire: a tragedy weaponized to justify allowing the government to use mental illness as a pretext for locking more people up without due process. An Orwellian exercise in doublespeak, Trump’s executive order suggests that jailing the homeless, rather than providing them with affordable housing, is the “compassionate” solution to homelessness. According to USA Today, social workers, medical experts and mental health service providers say the president’s approach “will likely worsen homelessness across the country, particularly because Trump’s order contains no new funding for mental health or drug treatment. Additionally, they say the president appears to misunderstand the fundamental driver of homelessness: People can’t afford housing.” And then comes the kicker: Trump wants to see more use of civil commitments (forced detentions) for anyone who is perceived as posing a risk “to themselves or the public or are living on the streets and cannot care for themselves in appropriate facilities for appropriate periods of time.” Translation: the government wants to use homelessness as a pretext for indefinitely locking up anyone who might pose a threat to its chokehold on police state power. When you consider the ramifications of giving the American police state that kind of authority to preemptively neutralize a potential threat, you’ll understand why some might view these looming mental health round-ups with trepidation. By directing police to carry out forced detentions of individuals based not on criminal behavior but on perceived mental instability or drug use, the Trump administration is attempting to sidestep fundamental constitutional protections—due process, probable cause, and the presumption of innocence—by substituting medical discretion for legal standards. Taken to its authoritarian limits, this could allow the government to weaponize the label of mental illness as a means of exiling dissidents who refuse to march in lockstep with its dictates. Once the government is allowed to control the narrative over who is deemed mentally unfit, mental health care could become yet another pretext for pathologizing dissent in order to disarm and silence the government’s critics. Take heed: this has the potential to become the next phase of the government’s war on thought crimes, cloaked in the guise of public health and safety. This is not about public safety. It’s about control. We’ve seen this tactic before. When governments seek to suppress dissent without provoking outrage, they turn to psychiatric labels. Throughout history, from Cold War-era Soviet gulags to modern pre-crime initiatives, authoritarian regimes have used psychiatric labels to isolate, discredit, and eliminate dissidents. As historian Anne Applebaum notes, administrative exile, which required no trial and due process, “was an ideal punishment not only for troublemakers as such, but also for political opponents of the regime.” The word “gulag” refers to a labor or concentration camp where prisoners; oftentimes political prisoners or so-called “enemies of the state,” real or imagined, were imprisoned as punishment for their crimes against the state. Soviet dissidents were often declared mentally ill, institutionalized in prisons disguised as psychiatric hospitals, and subjected to forced medication and psychological torture. Totalitarian regimes used such tactics to isolate political dissidents from the rest of society, discredit their ideas, and break them physically and mentally. What’s unfolding in America is the modern police state’s version of that same script. Civil commitment laws are found in all states and employed throughout American history. Under the doctrines of parens patriae and police power, the government already claims authority to confine those deemed unable to act in their own best interest or who pose a threat to society. When fused, these doctrines give the state enormous discretion to preemptively lock people up based on speculative future threats, not actual crimes. This discretion is now expanding at warp speed. The result is a Nanny State mindset carried out with the militant force of the Police State. Once dissent is equated with danger—and danger with illness—those who challenge the state become medicalized threats, subject to detention not for what they’ve done, but for what they believe. We’ve already seen what happens when dissent is pathologized and criminalized, and civil commitment laws are weaponized. Now, under the banner of mental health, the same dragnet is being equipped with red flag gun laws, predictive policing, and involuntary detention authority. In theory, these laws are meant to prevent harm. In practice, they punish thought, not conduct. Trump’s latest executive order doesn’t just target the homeless—it establishes a precedent for rounding up anyone deemed a threat to the government’s version of law and order. The same playbook that pathologized opposition to war or police brutality as “Oppositional Defiant Disorder” could now be used to classify political dissent as a psychiatric illness. This is not hyperbole. The government’s ability to silence dissent by labeling it as dangerous or diseased is well documented—and now it’s about to be codified into law. While the intention may appear reasonable—disarming people who pose an “immediate danger” to themselves or others—the problem arises when you put the power to determine who is a potential danger in the hands of a police state that equates dissent with extremism. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we are fast approaching a future where you can be locked up for the thoughts you think, the beliefs you hold, or the questions you ask. The government will use any excuse to suppress dissent and control the narrative. It will start with the homeless. Then the mentally ill. Then the so-called extremists. Then the critics, the contrarians, and the constitutionalists. Eventually, it will come for anyone who dares to get in the government's way. This is how tyranny rises. This is how freedom falls. Unless we resist this creeping mental health gulag, the prison gates will eventually close on us all. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whitehead's commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org Previous Next

Say "I Do" At Tony N' Tina's Wedding: A Night of Great Music, Laughter, Food and Love Wed Feb 21 2024 17:18:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Art And Culture Center/Hollywood: Announces The Retirement Of Executive Director Joy Satterlee December 7, 2023 Share It is with great gratitude that the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood announces the retirement of Executive Director Joy Satterlee after more than 20 years of stewardship of the organization. Joy has resigned, effective December 31st and the Center will start the new year under the leadership of Jennifer Homan, who began as Incoming Executive Director on November 6th. Joy will continue in her role through December 31st to assure a smooth transition at this critical moment in the Center’s nearly 50-year history. “It is bittersweet to resign as Executive Director of Art and Culture Center/Hollywood after 21 rewarding years of serving the Center as well as Hollywood’s community,” said Joy. “I’m incredibly proud of the accomplishments that the Board, funders, partners, and I have achieved for the Center along with our dedicated Staff. I’m also deeply grateful for all the relationships I’ve built during my time as Executive Director. It’s been a pleasure and honor to work alongside all the artists and community leaders in the area.” Joy submitted her resignation to the Board in June 2023. The Board hired a recruiting firm, Charity Search, to assist with the search for the Center’s next Executive Director. After more than 225 applications for the position, and with the assistance of Charity Search, the Board of Trustees offered the position to Jennifer Homan. Jennifer comes to the Center from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, where she served as the Chief Development and Operations Officer. She brings a proven track record of impactful organizational growth with more than 15 years of experience as a leader in Nonprofit Fundraising, Community Relations and Board Development. Jennifer will serve as the Center’s sixth Executive Director since the Center opened its doors in 1975. “Joy has built an impressive organization for quality contemporary arts programs over the years,” said Jennifer. “She has developed a competent and passionate team with extensive tenure that I look forward to working with to continue to further the Center’s mission. The expansion of the Center’s facility that Joy spearheaded allows for new opportunities that will benefit not only the South Florida community but visitors alike for decades to come.” Jennifer brings to the Center a track record of impactful organization growth. She is a strong relationship developer with excellent local, national, and corporate contacts. She’s worked with numerous high impact nonprofits, designing effective strategic plans, progressive budgets and fundraising campaigns. She will work closely with the Board of Trustees and staff to ensure the continued success and growth of the Center. Joy began her transformative tenure at the Art and Culture Center in 2002, first as Deputy Director, before becoming Interim Director and then Executive Director in 2005. During her 21 years, the Center has expanded its programming and impact in all areas – Gallery Exhibitions, Art Education for children, youth, and adults, as well as Community Outreach and Partnerships through Fundraisers such as Cuisine for Art, Golf for Art, and Men of Style held each year at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. Joy also provided critical leadership in the creation and development of the Center’s Award-Winning Open Dialogues Film Series, serving as Executive Producer on four documentary shorts that advance fairness and equity for our Black and LGBTQ Communities in South Florida. The second Film in the series, Black Voices | Black Stories, was selected to be televised during Season 5 of the South Florida PBS Film-Maker Project, won a Silver Telly Award and is nominated for a Suncoast Regional EMMY® Award. She also was instrumental in creating the Center’s Endowment and savings account, which allows the use of the investment income for its programs and operations in future years. Joy’s departure on December 31st coincides with the groundbreaking for a new 5,000-Square-Foot Arts Education Wing that the City of Hollywood will be constructed adjacent to the Center’s gallery and administrative building at 1650 Harrison Street. The Education Wing is scheduled to open in 2024 and will stand as a lasting testament to Joy’s leadership. In addition to her work at the Center, Joy served from 2013-2019 on the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, a 15-Member Advisory Council that advises the Secretary of State on Cultural Funding and Development in Florida. In March 2023, Joy was honored by History Fort Lauderdale and Galleria Fort Lauderdale as part of their “Women Trailblazers: Champions Of Change - Broward County.” She also received the Community Leadership Award from the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and was named a “South Florida Mover & Shaker” by South Florida Business Leaders. She has served on the Advisory Committee for Girls’ Club Gallery Fort Lauderdale, as Board Secretary for the Broward Women’s Alliance, and is an Honorary Board Member of Citizens Interested in Arts. Thank you and congratulations to Joy for everything she made possible at the Center, and continued success as she begins a new chapter. About The Art And Culture Center/Hollywood The Art And Culture Center/Hollywood is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization supported in part by its members, admissions, private entities, the City of Hollywood; the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners; the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts; the Community Foundation of Broward; David and Francie Horvitz Family Foundation; Josephine S. Leiser Foundation, and Helen Ingham Foundation. We welcome donations from all members of the community who wish to support our work. < Previous News Next News >

Broward County Classroom Transformed Into Innovative STEM Lab October 16, 2024 Share Excitement filled the air as the doors swung open to reveal a remarkable classroom transformation, made possible through a collaborative partnership between Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and the Broward Education Foundation. Together with Broward County Public Schools, the organizations celebrated the completion of the STEM Classroom Makeover at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. The $50,000 Grant from FPL, facilitated through the Broward Education Foundation, enabled Dillard High School to incorporate cutting-edge technology including robotics kits, interactive whiteboards and STEM equipment, creating an immersive learning experience. The redesigned classroom now boasts new STEM technology which will help enhance student engagement and foster creativity. "The Broward Education Foundation is proud to collaborate with FPL in creating a space where innovation and inspiration thrive," said James A. Knapp, President & CEO of Broward Education Foundation. "This STEM lab represents more than just new technology—it symbolizes opportunity. It opens doors for students at Dillard High School to engage with cutting-edge tools and pursue their passions in science, technology, engineering, and math, laying the groundwork for a brighter future." This partnership highlights the shared commitment of both FPL and the Broward Education Foundation to advance STEM education in economically disadvantaged schools across FPL’s service territory. The transformation at Dillard High School marks a significant milestone in this ongoing effort to provide students with the resources they need to excel. "We firmly believe in the power of education and the difference it can make in the lives of young individuals," said Pam Rauch, FPL Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development. "We are thrilled to be able to contribute to creating a dynamic learning atmosphere for the students at Dillard High School. This classroom transformation represents our ongoing commitment to support education and provide students with the tools they need to thrive." To mark this significant milestone, FPL and partners hosted a ceremony at Dillard High School to showcase the transformed classroom and witness the positive impact of education in the lives of local students. FPL’s STEM Classroom Makeover Grants program provides funding up to $50,000 each for five schools in Florida to provide transformational learning opportunities in economically disadvantaged K-12 classrooms. Funds are available to address needs in technology or resources that will advance STEM curricula and careers to students in a classroom setting. For the 2024-25 school year, the FPL STEM Classroom Makeover Grant program is now open. To learn more information on FPL's STEM Classroom Makeover Grant and where to apply, visit: www.FPL.com/ClassroomGrant. < Previous News Next News >

Shelter Pets Need You: Give Them A Home For The Holidays Wed Dec 13 2023 17:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Open Call To Artists Announced: Business For The Arts Broward’s 7th Annual ART + STROLL Project February 20, 2025 Share Business for the Arts Broward (BFA) is seeking entries from established and emerging artists for its 7th Annual ART + STROLL, presented by BBX Capital. Artists must be 18 years or older. The deadline to submit is Friday, February 28th by midnight. ART + STROLL takes place on Thursday, April 17th, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the lobbies of buildings 200, 201 and 301 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. Accepted artists will be notified by Friday, March 14th and receive one complimentary Sip & Stroll VIP ticket to the event gaining access to the food and beverage areas in each lobby. BFA will accept 2D work, no larger than 38” on its longest side and 3D art such as sculpture, ceramics, fashion or any other free-standing artwork. While a few larger artworks may be considered, please note that most submitted artwork should be within the 38" size constraint. Accepted 3D artists will be responsible for providing pedestal(s) to display their work and will have to deliver and set up the art themselves. All work must be hang/presentation ready using D rings or wire. No sawtooth hangers. This exhibition is open to all functional, non-functional, 2D, 3D, fine art and fine craft in all mediums and all styles including but not limited to photography, painting, drawing, printmaking, paper art, fiber art, wood, clay, metal, glass, sculpture, fashion and mixed media. Works should not exceed 30 lbs. All work must be original and created without the aid of an instructor or kit. Work needs to have been produced within the last eight years. All styles and aesthetics are considered. This is a public event open to everyone; as such, the content of submissions should be appropriate for all viewers. The fee to enter is $30 and artists will be allowed to submit up to three entries that they have personally created. Works selected are based on originality, creativity, craftsmanship and artistic distinction. All work(s) must be submitted through the cafe site. Submission does not guarantee acceptance of work. Accepted works may be used for BFA marketing purposes and on Social Media to promote the show. If any artist does not wish their work to be included in advertising, they should notify us upon receiving the acceptance. If accepted, the artist is responsible for shipping costs to and from the gallery. All art must be received by Monday April 7th, 2025. Please no freight shipping. Works must have pre-paid return labels through FedEx or UPS to be returned. Clearly indicate any packing directions for return of works and ensure that the label is easy to find on the packaging. Works should be shipped in reusable containers/boxes and packaging for return. Cash prizes totaling $5,000 will be awarded to artists as follows: 1st place $3,000, 2nd place $1,500 and 3rd place $500. All artworks may be offered for sale. BFA will encourage buyers to take purchased art home at the end of the exhibit. However, if a buyer cannot take home their purchase, artists will also be responsible for the delivery of their work to the buyer(s). BFA keeps 25% commission on any sold artwork. All artists must submit a signed W9 upon acceptance. Payments will be made to the name as it appears on the W9. Guests will enjoy a juried art exhibit of fine art for sale as well as local live entertainment performances such as dance, music, spoken word, art installations, live painting and demo artists. Attendance is free and open to the public, but guests will have the option to purchase a Sip & Stroll ticket for $50, which includes food and beverage tastings in each lobby. This is an in-person exhibition, but this exhibition will also be featured digitally on BFA’s website. This is a juried exhibition and will be co-curated by BFA’s Executive Director Robyn Vegas and Program Coordinator Lori Pratico. Our judge for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place is Jodi Sypher, exhibitions curator at the Art and Culture Center Hollywood. For additional information, visit: https://bfabroward.org/programs/art-and-stroll/ - And click on “call to artists.” All artists must fill in the entry form to be considered. All entries and payments must be submitted via Call for Entries (CaFÉ). Please follow the directions on CaFÉ. If you have exhibition questions, please contact: lpratico@bfabroward.org . Questions related to submitting through the CaFÉ platform should be directed to CaFÉ. This year’s ART + STROLL sponsors include: BBX Capital Presenting, FPL, Castle Group, BBI, Berger Singerman, Pierson Grant, MAD, Stiles, and Moss. Sponsorship information is available on our website. About Business for the Arts Broward Business for the Arts Broward is a Not-For-Profit 501(c)(3) engaging businesses and business leaders to advocate and educate about the importance of the County’s art and cultural community as well as to recognize the connection between cultural vitality, creative success, and economic development. To learn more visit: www.Facebook.com/BFABroward - Or: www.bfabroward.org < Previous News Next News >

It’s PAW Patrol: Adventure Play To The Rescue - Learn To Collaborate And Save The Day With The Heroic PAW-Some Pups South Florida Sun Times Sep 3, 2025 Children And Families Can Now Play And Save The Day With The Heroic PAW Patrol Pups At The Brand-New PAW Patrol: Adventure Play Traveling Exhibit Presented By Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital And Sponsored By Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan And Chewy VetCare, Opening Friday, September 12th At The Museum Of Discovery And Science (MODS). Based On The Hit Preschool Series PAW Patrol, Produced By Spin Master Entertainment, Airing On Nickelodeon And Streaming On Paramount+, This Interactive Exhibit Gives Kids And Their Grown-ups An Opportunity To Run Rescue Missions And Work Together To Overcome Challenges In A Fun And Immersive Environment. The Exhibit Runs Through Sunday, January 11th, 2026. “At MODS, we’re always looking for innovative ways to ignite curiosity and learning through play,” said Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science. “PAW Patrol: Adventure Play is a joyful, hands-on experience that empowers our youngest learners to develop problem-solving and teamwork skills while connecting imaginative rescue missions to the real-life heroes in their communities.” Through the exhibit, families will visit Adventure Bay and meet the PAW Patrol, a pack of rescue pups - each inspired by a real-world job like a police officer (Chase), a firefighter (Marshall), a construction worker (Rubble), a fearless pilot (Skye) and more. Just as the heroic pups, who believe "no job is too big, no pup is too small," work together to protect their community in the show, families will work together to save the day with a can-do attitude. In the process, kids can learn about different jobs within a community and how those real-life professionals coordinate to keep people safe and happy. “Play has the power to heal, inspire and teach,” said Caitlin Stella, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “That’s why we’re proud to present PAW Patrol: Adventure Play at MODS. Experiences like this create moments of joy and learning that benefit a child’s emotional and social development - whether in a hospital room or at a museum. We’re committed to supporting healthy, happy childhoods in every way we can.” Each of the PAW Patrol pups has special skills, gadgets and vehicles to help them on their rescue missions. In the exhibit, families are invited to pop on a pup pack containing their own imaginary tools and check out the lay of the land from the lookout tower. They can head to Jake’s Mountain and scope things out near the snowy slide to see if anyone is in trouble. They can also board the PAW Patroller, push buttons, and drive it up the mountain to help Rubble and Everest rescue a snowboarder stuck in the snow. Those with a taste for foodie adventures can whip up tasty treats in Porter’s Café and help Adventure Bay win the Tallest Cake Competition by stacking cake layers as high as they can. Families can also cruise Adventure Bay aboard the Sea Patroller, steering it to rescue baby seagulls and turtles. “A strong future begins with early inspiration,” said Kevin Thompson, Executive Director of Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan. “This exhibit allows children to explore the world around them and start thinking about the many roles they can play in it. Whether they dream of being firefighters, scientists or community helpers, PAW Patrol: Adventure Play sparks the kind of curiosity that drives lifelong learning - and that’s a mission we’re proud to champion, and to support families in saving for.” The hands-on, immersive PAW Patrol: Adventure Play exhibit is a fun way for the whole family to learn about bravery and heroism. The whole family will learn how to combine their skills to problem-solve together and save the day. Celebrate Real-Life Heroes! On select days and times from September - December, families will have the opportunity to meet the brave individuals - both human and furry - who help keep our communities safe and healthy. Activities will include: Meet & Greet: Connect with local police officers, firefighters, pilots, first responders and more. Touch-a-Truck Zone: Explore real emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, police cruisers and rescue mobiles. K-9 Demonstrations: Watch trained service dogs in action and learn about their vital roles. For a complete list of dates, times and activities visit: https://mods.org/exhibit/paw-patrol-adventure-play . Wanna Be Weekends in October and November: No Job Too Big! MODS will extend the PAW Patrol: Adventure Play experience with Wanna Be Weekends, taking place every Saturday and Sunday in October and November. These themed weekends feature engaging, hands-on activities highlighting real-life community heroes and STEAM-based careers. From designing rescue vehicles and building homes to meeting local police officers, firefighters, first responders and even learning how to be a pilot, families will discover how teamwork, compassion and problem-solving shape the world around us. Thanks to support from the JetBlue Foundation, young aviators will have the chance to explore flight science and aviation careers through special programming and guest speakers. On select days, Chewy VetCare will also host an interactive Vet Clinic, where children can step into the role of animal caretakers by practicing empathy and learning how to care for pets and other animals in need. Each weekend brings new partners, fresh adventures and opportunities for children to imagine how they can make a difference just like the heroic pups of Adventure Bay. PAW Patrol: Adventure Play was produced by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount Location-Based Entertainment & Experiences. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. “The big takeaway for children and their grownups is that every team member's skills are valued and serve an important purpose to help the whole team accomplish important goals,” said Dr. Jennifer Pace Robinson, president and CEO of the museum that produced the exhibit, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “We want little ones to learn about citizenship, helpfulness and solving problems with the assistance of these rescue pups, who team up to help their neighbors who are in trouble.” PAW Patrol: Adventure Play is included with admission to MODS. For more information about the exhibit, visit: https://mods.org/exhibit/paw-patrol-adventure-play . About Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. A level one trauma center, the hospital, part of Memorial Healthcare System, combines advanced technology, the expertise of one of the largest and most diverse groups of board-certified pediatric specialists in the region, and a focus on patient and family-centered care to heal the body, mind and spirit. To learn more, visit: www.jdch.com and connect with @jdchospital on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram. About the Florida Prepaid College Board: The Florida Prepaid College Board manages the Florida Prepaid 529 Plan (Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program) and the Florida Investment 529 Plan. Both are tax-favored 529 college savings plans authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In 1987 the Florida Prepaid College Program was created by the Florida Legislature and the commitment and dedication of Mr. Stanley G. Tate to provide Florida families with an affordable means to save for their children’s future college education. The first Florida Prepaid College Plans were sold in 1988 and were augmented with the addition of the Florida 529 Savings Plan in 2002. The Board also oversees two direct-support organizations – The Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Florida ABLE, Inc., d/b/a ABLE United. Florida Prepaid is the largest, longest running and most successful prepaid plan program in the nation, with more than 2 million Florida Prepaid College Plans purchased and more than $15 Billion in assets. The Investment 529 Plan has more than 176,000 active accounts, with a market value of more than $1.7 Billion. For more information, please visit: www.MyFloridaPrepaid.com . About the Museum of Discovery and Science Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 sq. ft. facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for three decades. MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 21 museums nationwide to join the Playful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service. The Museum welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Now through Friday, August 8th, the Museum will remain open one hour later - until 6:00 p.m. - on Fridays and Saturdays. MODS is located downtown at 401 Southwest Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit: https://mods.org - Or call: (954) 467-MODS. Call: (954) 467-6637. Like us or follow us on Social Media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/modsftl X (formerly Twitter): www.x.com/modsftl Instagram: www.instagram.com/modsftl Previous Next

Say Cheese - Shavuot Holiday 101 By Rabbi Moishe Kievman - Chabad Chayil May 21, 2026 At A Unique Crossroads Between Religion And Cuisine, The Holiday Of Shavuot, Celebrating The Giving Of The Torah At Mount Sinai Some 3,338 Years Ago, Has Become A Celebration Of Fine Dairy Cuisine As Well. Shavuot Is Celebrated For Two Days, This Year Beginning At Sundown On Thursday, May 21st, 2026 And Ending At Nightfall On Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. 50 days after leaving Egypt on Passover, the Jewish people received the Torah from G-d at Mount Sinai on the holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot literally means “weeks” and marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. Shavuot customs include all-night Torah study, listening to the recitation of the Ten Commandments, the reading of the Book of Ruth, eating dairy products and adorning the home with flowers. With the giving of the Torah, the Jews became obligated to observe the Kosher laws. As the Torah was given on Shabbat, no cattle or poultry could be slaughtered, nor could we make sure that the animal's insides were healthy and then properly cleaned out as is required in order for the meat to be Kosher. In addition, utensils could not be Koshered, and as such we ate dairy. Exquisite cheesecakes, pesto pastas, lasagna, souffles, eggplant parmesan and of course, cheese blintzes all take center stage during this ancient celebration. When thinking Jewish Holidays, Passover, Chanukah and Yom Kippur usually come to mind first. Nevertheless, Shavuot is considered one of Judaism's main holidays and was in fact a “pilgrimage” when all of Israel would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate in the Temple in Jerusalem. No, it isn't all about the food. Especially in lieu of what's been happening around the world with all the antisemetic rhetoric, what is important is that the community is joining together, hearing the Ten Commandments and celebrating the Torah. But the good food certainly helps. The tradition to learn all night has been practiced ever since we received the Torah. On the very night before G-d gave the Torah, we went to sleep, waking late in the morning. As a symbolic rectification for this, Jews customarily stay awake studying Torah until the morning, on the first night of Shavuot, this year on Thursday night. Since we all stood at Mount Sinai, we must all reaffirm our commitment. On Friday, May 22nd, 2026 the Ten Commandments will be read aloud from the Torah. Special emphasis is placed on including the entire Jewish family, including little babies, the way the Torah’s giving was attended by every Jewish man, woman and child. The word Torah means “instruction” or “guide.” The Torah guides our every step and move through its 613 Mitzvahs. The word Mitzvah means both “commandment” and “connection.” Through the study of Torah and fulfillment of Mitzvahs, we reconnect ourselves and our environment to G‑d. G‑d’s purpose in creating the world was that all of creation be sanctified, imbuing it with holiness and spirituality. Since Shavuot is also called the “Harvest Festival,” it is customary to adorn the home with fruits, flowers and greens. Most of us are, thank G-d, able to get out and celebrate the way we have for over three thousand years. But for those that are for whatever reason staying home, that should in no way stop you from celebrating the holiday, since most of the holiday is super easy to celebrate even while at home alone. Not going to work • Eating dairy • Praying the special holiday prayers • Studying Torah all night • Decorating the home with flowers • The only things that we can't do without a quorum, are hearing the Ten Commandments read from the Torah and praying with a minyan. But you can still study the Ten Commandments from a Torah Book, known as a Chumash (which you can download before the holiday at: www.ChabadChayil.org/Chumash) and pray from a Siddur prayer book (downloadable at: www.ChabadChayil.org/Siddur). And you can still read Yizkor, even without a minyan: at: ChabadChayil.org/Yizkor. To learn more about Shavuot and the many customs associated with it, visit: www.ChabadChayil.org/Shavuot. There you can also get delicious dairy & dairy-like recipes, send free holiday greeting cards, download the prayers & suggested all night Torah study. If you are able to go out, then you should certainly make sure to attend services this holiday, at least to hear the Ten Commandments read from the Torah on Friday morning. As always, you are welcome to join me at the Family Shul in West Aventura. For the full schedule, call: (305) 770-1919. Or visit: www.TheFamilyShul.com , where you can rsvp for holiday meals and download many great articles. About the author: Rabbi Kievman together with his wife are the ambassadors of The Rebbe to Highland Lakes, FL. They are the founders of Gan Chabad Preschool, your local CTeen & CKids chapters, CHAP - an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools and direct Chabad Chayil. He’s the Rabbi at The Family Shul and can be reached at: (305) 770-1919. Or: rabbi@ChabadChayil.org . You can also support the community with your partnership at: www.ChabadChayil.org/Donate . Previous Next

This Year's Budget Is Almost Complete: Is A Tax Increase For The Upcoming Fiscal Year Necessary? Thu Aug 19 2021 04:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Better-For-You Swap - Indulge Your Sweet Tooth This Holiday Season Thu Dec 12 2024 19:30:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives: Upcoming Concerts Celebrate The Icons Of Our Generation Thu Aug 31 2023 16:14:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An Evening Of Enchantment: "Ser.Rana" Brings The Magic Of Flamenco To Aventura Fri Jul 19 2024 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)