A New Kind of Boat Show: An Entertaining Three-day Experience That’s So Miami September 29, 2022 Share The Pandemic had an unusual effect on the Boat Industry. The open ocean provided the ultimate low-risk getaway for a family. People who could afford it chartered boats. Those with even greater financial means just bought them outright. The number of new boats sold in the U.S. in 2020 hit a 13-year high of nearly 320,000 vessels, up 13% from the year before, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. As new boaters entered the market, a domino effect took place, with their friends and families getting into the activity as well. The trend has slowed since the high of 2020, but the industry is still going strong. So if you are in the market, a new kind of boat show will come ashore just in time for the Summer of 2023. The South Florida Boat Show will offer the kind of entertainment and energy Miami is known for and it will drop anchor next Boating Season. The South Florida Boat Show Crew has set out to create a unique experience at the South Florida Boat Show that will keep every aspect of the boating lifestyle in mind. Between Friday May 19th, 2023 and Sunday, May 21st, 2023, nautical enthusiasts from all over will descend upon the Historic Miami Marine Stadium to see and board hundreds of boats, shop marine accessories and gadgets, while enjoying Miami’s colorful entertainment, music, food and art. Whether it’s cruising the Intracoastal, hitting the sandbar, running offshore, or deep diving, there is an undeniable connection between boaters and the sea; they love the water and everything that goes with it. The South Florida Boat Show will serve as a one-stop shop to enjoy everything this lifestyle has to offer, while seeing the latest and greatest displays by exhibitors from around the world. In addition to top-of-the-line engines, electronics, fishing gear, diving equipment, water sports and accessories, The South Florida Boat Show will have both on-land and in-water boat displays, including a sea trial dock for those looking to feel that salty wind in their hair. “We developed a show that caters to the real needs of exhibitors and partners, as well as the attendees,” said John Hagins, Director of Partner Relations for The South Florida Boat Show. “Our focus on that ‘Ocean Lifestyle’ and the Miami we all love will be evident throughout the Show.” The South Florida Boat Show will appeal to the boating lifestyle by offering plenty of bars including the 360-degree “Ships Wheel Bar” and “The Galley Food Hall” offering a variety of food options from across South Florida, The Caribbean and America. In addition, there will be lots of cool gathering areas to meet up with friends, sit, relax, trade stories and talk shop. The South Florida Boat Show will schedule entertainment and live music throughout the day to herald in each sunset. “Just about everyone we know are boaters – it’s almost a prerequisite here in South Florida. Positioning the show just before Memorial Day will help us all get ready for the summer,” added Tony Albelo, CEO at EngageLive! Tickets to the South Florida Boat Show start at $25 and are already on sale at: SoFloBoatShow.com. The event will be held at the Miami Marine Stadium located at 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149. For more information, visit: https://engagelivellc.com Or call: (305) 459-9988. < Previous News Next News >

Israel Growing Brain Drain - Hundreds Of Israel Physicians And Researchers In The U.S. Gathered In South Florida Jewish Connection News Feb 12, 2026 Hundreds Of Israeli Physicians, Researchers, Medical Students, Residents, Fellows, And Healthcare Professionals Who Have Left Israel And Now Reside Across The United States Gathered Recently In Miami For The ScienceAbroad Conference, Addressing The Growing Outflow Of Israeli Researchers And Scientists. According to recent data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), approximately 55,000 Israelis with academic degrees - from Bachelor’s to PhD - currently live abroad; about 16% of PhD holders reside outside Israel; and in 2024, Israel shifted to a negative migration balance of academics. ScienceAbroad - the global network uniting thousands of Israeli scientists worldwide and working to reconnect Israeli scientists and physicians with Israel’s research and healthcare systems - held its first-ever conference in Miami as part of the IAC National Summit 2026. The conference was led by ScienceAbroad in partnership with the Sheba Research Authority (Tel HaShomer), the Israeli Medical Association, and Nefesh B’Nefesh. Speakers at the conference included: • Dr. Miriam Adelson, Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, and philanthropist • Professor Joel Mokyr, Nobel Prize–winning economist, Northwestern University • Brigadier General Dr. Zivan Aviad-Beer, IDF Chief Medical Officer • Dr. Michal Mekel, Director General, Rambam Health Care Campus • Professor Itai M. Pessach, MD, PhD, MHA, Associate Director General, Sheba Medical Center; CEO, Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital • Prof. Shlomi Codish, CEO, Soroka Medical Center • Dr. Zeev Feldman, Chairman, State Physicians Organization; Vice Chair, Israeli Medical Association (IMA) “This conference brought together Israel’s medical and scientific leaders living in North America to confront one of the most urgent challenges facing Israel today - how to sustain its research, healthcare, and innovation future by reconnecting with its global talent,” said Nadav Douani, Executive Director of ScienceAbroad. About ScienceAbroad: Established in 2006, ScienceAbroad connects more than 11,000 Israeli scientists and physicians working at leading academic institutions and industry firms in over 30 countries. The organization fosters collaboration between Israeli scientists and medical professionals abroad and their counterparts in Israel, strengthening Israel’s global scientific ties and ensuring Israeli innovation continues to have global impact. Photo credit: Shay Cohen, courtesy of ScienceAbroad. Previous Next

Giving Thanks & Thanksgiving Fri Nov 17 2023 17:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Cyberwell Warns Of Antisemitic Conspiracies Blaming Jews For Wildfires Across Europe Jewish Connection News Aug 27, 2026 CyberWell, A NonProfit And Trusted Partner Of Meta (Facebook, Instagram And Threads), Tiktok And Youtube Working To Combat Online Antisemitism, Alerted X After Identifying A New Wave Of Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories Falsely Blaming Jews For Wildfires Across Europe. Cyberwell Identified Nearly Identical Narratives Surrounding Recent Wildfires In Norway, France, And Spain, Reinforcing What The Organization Describes As A Recurring Pattern Of Event-Driven Antisemitism, In Which Major Crises Are Exploited To Spread Hate Toward Jews. The organization’s analysts identified multiple posts in English, French, and Spanish falsely claiming that Jews deliberately started the fires or orchestrated them for political or financial gain. CyberWell has documented similar antisemitic conspiracy theories during previous wildfires, including the Los Angeles wildfires in 2025 and the Patagonia wildfires earlier this year. More broadly, the posts reflected a recurring pattern of event-driven antisemitism that CyberWell has observed following crises, including the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting and the hantavirus outbreak. CyberWell found that bad actors and antisemites repeatedly inserted Jews into breaking news through familiar antisemitic tropes portraying them as secretly responsible for disasters or as profiting from human suffering. CyberWell's monitoring of antisemitic content surrounding the Norway wildfires found that one post alone surpassed 2 million views on X, helping transform an isolated conspiracy into a broader wave of antisemitic content. Another post on Spain’s wildfires reached more than 69,100 users. As the false claims spread, posts increasingly incorporated dehumanizing language, calls to expel Jews and well-known antisemitic imagery, including the "Happy Merchant" caricature. “The same scapegoating stories, once popular in Nazi propaganda during the Third Reich, now trend on every major social media platform after a crisis. Any major event can become a vehicle for blaming Jews online,” said CyberWell CEO and Founder Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor. “Whether the story involves a wildfire, a disease outbreak, a shooting, or another international crisis, we repeatedly see the same conspiracy theories emerge within hours. The details change but the underlying message does not: Jews are maliciously portrayed as secretly orchestrating disasters or profiting from human suffering. This pattern demonstrates how antisemitism continuously adapts to the news cycle while recycling centuries-old myths.” This content reflects well-established antisemitic conspiracy frameworks recognized under the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, including collective accusations against Jews and conspiratorial claims of hidden Jewish control. “Contextual expertise and sustained partnerships with civil society organizations are crucial for any digital platform or AI company that wants to take safety and tech governance seriously,” added Cohen Montemayor. “Platforms can only respond effectively when they understand how antisemitic narratives evolve across languages, current events and online communities. One of the most effective steps digital platforms can take right now is to recognize this hateful, event-driven anti-Jewish conspiracy narrative and begin limiting its reach at scale. The last few years have been marked by multiple incidents in which unfounded conspiracies and misinformation led to targeted violence against Jewish communities around the world. The writing is already on the wall, and it is inscribed in blood.” CyberWell calls on platforms to strengthen detection tools targeting recurring antisemitic conspiracy tropes tied to breaking news, address policy gaps related to antisemitic scapegoating, apply enforcement consistently across comparable cases and continue expanding partnerships with organizations specializing in online hate. CyberWell said early identification of emerging trends remains essential to preventing false narratives from gaining widespread traction before they become normalized. CyberWell is an independent, tech-based nonprofit combating the spread of antisemitism online, operating globally. Its AI-powered technologies monitor social media in English and Arabic for content promoting antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and incitement to violence against Jews and their allies based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Its analysts review and report this content to platform moderators and index verified posts in the first-ever open database of antisemitic social media posts, cataloging it openly for transparency at: app.cyberwell.org . Through partnerships, education and real-time alerts, CyberWell partners with social media platforms and digital service companies to help them enforce their policies more effectively, promoting proactive steps against online Jew-hate. For more information, visit: https://cyberwell.org/ . Previous Next

Kitchens & Concerts In Hollywood: Streamlining The Process For The Most Popular Remodels & A Free Hollywood West Concert South Florida Sun Times Feb 27, 2025 Exciting news for Hollywood residents! The remodel checklists for kitchen and bathroom remodels have been updated to provide comprehensive guidance for your next renovation project. These enhanced checklists offer clear, step-by-step details designed to help plan and execute every aspect of a remodel with precision and ease. Whether upgrading fixtures or reimagining the entire space, these tools ensure nothing is overlooked and prevent unnecessary code violations and/or fines. Since kitchen and bathroom remodels are among the most popular home improvement projects, the instructions have been made more accessible to better support homeowners through the renovation process. For simple kitchen or bathroom remodels (like-for-like), no plans are required, making the process even more straightforward. Get started on creating the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams by downloading the new checklists from: www.hollywoodfl.org/permitchecklists - Visit the Building webpage under Applications & Forms to access them and embark on a smooth and successful renovation journey with confidence. For any questions or additional assistance, please contact the City of Hollywood Development Services Building Division at: (954) 921-3335. Rock ‘n Roll by Brothers of Others Concert A Free Hollywood West Concert Featuring Rock ‘n Roll by Brothers of Others, Saturday, March 1st at 7:30 p.m. at the Boulevard Heights Amphitheater located at 6770 Garfield Street, Hollywood, Florida 33024. Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy this free concert under the stars! Previous Next

Addressing The Region's Evolving Healthcare Needs - Memorial Healthcare System To Expand With Two New Freestanding Emergency Departments Thu Dec 12 2024 17:45:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Mayor Josh Levy To Deliver 2026 State Of The City Address On Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 By City of Hollywood Jan 21, 2026 Hollywood Residents Are Invited To Attend Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy’s 2026 State Of The City Address On Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. The annual address will highlight key accomplishments from the past year, including Hollywood’s year-long Centennial Celebration, as well as updates on ongoing City initiatives and a look ahead at priorities helping shape Hollywood’s future. The event is a chance for residents, business owners, and community partners to hear directly from Mayor Levy about current progress across the City and what’s planned for the year ahead. The State of the City address will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Training Room at the Development Hub at the Hollywood Branch Library, located at 2600 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33020. Admission and parking are free and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend. Free Movie Nights This Weekend Enjoy two free outdoor movie nights in Hollywood this weekend, including the launch of a new movie night series at Driftwood Community Center. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and make it a fun evening under the stars. ArtsPark Movie Night: “SUPERMAN” (2025) Friday, January 23rd, 2026 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ArtsPark Amphitheater at Young Circle 1 Young Circle, Hollywood, Florida 33020 Movie Night Series at Driftwood Community Center: “Jaws” Saturday, January 24th, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Driftwood Community Center 3000 North 69th Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024 Please note: City parks are plastic and foam free. Single-use items such as plastic water bottles and utensils are prohibited on the grounds. Previous Next

Weapons Of Love - Lag Ba'Omer 101 By Rabbi Moishe Kievman Chabad Chayil May 15, 2025 Lag Baomer Is A Festive Day On The Jewish Calendar, Celebrating The Anniversary Of The Passing Of The Great Sage And Mystic Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Also Known As The Rashbi (An Acronym For His Name), He Was The Author Of The Zohar, A Foundational Work Of The Kabbalah Which Is The Basis For Chassidus. He Requested That The Day Of His Passing Be Celebrated, And Not Mourned. It also commemorates another event. In the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, a plague raged amongst the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva and on Lag BaOmer the dying ceased. The Talmud tells us that the plague affected the students of Rabbi Akiva “because they did not act respectfully towards each other.” Thus, Lag BaOmer carries the theme of the imperative to love and respect one’s fellow (ahavat yisrael). Lag BaOmer teaches us that while working to help improve our fellow man, we must never allow these efforts to compromise our love and respect for him. It is traditional to light bonfires on Lag BaOmer eve, commemorating the immense light that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai introduced into the world via his mystical teachings. Children customarily go out into the fields and play with imitation bows and arrows. This commemorates the midrashic tradition that no rainbow was seen during Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime. Rainbows first appeared after Noah’s flood, when G‑d promised to never again devastate the world. When the world is deserving of punishment, G‑d sends a rainbow instead. Rabbi Shimon’s merit protected the world, rendering the rainbow superfluous. But there’s a much deeper meaning behind the bow and arrow game, with a lesson not just for Lag BaOmer, but something we can apply every day of the year. The first weapons devised by man were designed for hand-to-hand combat. But a person's enemy or prey is not always an arm's-length away, or even within sight. Soon the warrior and hunter felt the need for a weapon that could reach a target a great distance away, or which lies invisible and protected behind barriers of every sort. With a bow and arrow, the tension in an arched bough of wood is exploited to propel a missile for great distances and slash through barriers. The inventor of this device first had to grasp the paradox that the deadly arrow must be pulled back toward one's own heart in order to strike the heart of the opponent, and that the more it is drawn toward oneself, the more distant an adversary it can reach. Chassidus teaches us that the same rules that apply to tools of destruction, apply to tools of construction - the tools we use to help build each other. And this is the deeper theme and lesson of Lag BaOmer: In order to reach a friend or relative who is otherwise unreachable, we have to first dig deep within our own heart. The deeper place from within our heart this love comes from, the deeper it will penetrate in our loved ones heart. The more we work on our own character, the more our children will work on theirs. The Rebbe writes in Hayom Yom “If you rebuke your brother and he does not listen, then it is you who is to blame. Because words that come from the heart, enter the heart.” If you haven't penetrated their heart, dig deeper within your own heart. This year, Lag BaOmer is Thursday Night - Friday, May 15-16, 5785 / 2025. I encourage you to reach out to your local Chabad or synagogue and find out what they’re doing to celebrate this special day. You are of course welcome to join me at our annual bonfire, where you can enjoy a BBQ, music, sign along kumzitz and plenty of fun. We will do it behind the construction site of the new Chabad Chayil Education Center in West Aventura. There’s no charge to RSVP at: www.ChabadChayil.org/Events . For the complete history and more lessons you can learn from this fun and Kabbalistic holiday visit: www.ChabadChayil.org/LagBaomer . 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/Partner . Previous Next

Call To Artists And NonProfit Organizations - This Two-Day Live Mural Festival Celebrates Art, Culture And Community In Fort Lauderdale South Florida Sun Times Oct 22, 2025 Business For The Arts Broward (BFA), In Partnership With The Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Invites Local Artists And Arts And Culture Non-Profit Organizations To Participate In The Inaugural BFA Art Walls Mural Fest, A Two-Day, Community-Driven Celebration Of Art, Collaboration And Impact On Saturday, February 28th, 2026 And Sunday, March 1st, 2026 From 10:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m. At History Fort Lauderdale. This exciting event will pair 10 local art and culture Non-Profits with 10 established and emerging artists who will each create an eight-foot-by-eight-foot mural inspired by the Non-Profit’s mission. The festivities kick off with a special BFA Art & Spirits celebration on Monday, February 16th, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the BBX Capital Gallery that showcases participating artists and organizations with an exclusive liquor tasting and art exhibit with BFA’s sponsors and supporters. Artists and Non-Profit Organizations are encouraged to apply and participate. Artist applications for the Art Walls Mural Fest open Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 and close on Monday, November 10th, 2025. Muralists must be residents of Florida, with preference given to South Florida artists. Both established artists with 10 or more public works and emerging artists with up to 10 public works are encouraged to apply. The selected artists will be notified on Thursday, November 20th, 2025. To enter, artists must indicate whether they are an emerging or established artist, submit their artist bio and 10-15 images of previous murals or large-scale works and provide a brief statement on why they are interested in participating. Artists should be open to collaborating with an arts and cultural non-profit partner and incorporating the non-profit’s mission or values into the mural design, while staying true to their own creative aesthetic. Artists must apply through the CAFÉ website: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=16215 Established artists will receive a $2,000 mural honorarium and a $200 stipend to display artwork in BBX Capital while emerging artists will receive a $1,000 mural honorarium and a $200 stipend to display artwork in BBX Capital. Additional benefits include live mural creation during the public high-profile event, as well as a four-month exhibition and sales opportunity at BBX Capital and the Art & Spirits pre-event. Artists will also have the chance to build meaningful connections with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, fellow muralists, art collectors, business professionals and potential collaborators. Artists also will earn lasting visibility through the donation of completed murals to partner arts and cultural non-profits. All artwork will be offered for sale with proceeds split between the artist (75%) and BFA (25%). All selected artists will be required to provide proof of general liability insurance covering the duration of the festival. Insurance must list Business for the Arts Broward (BFA) and History Fort Lauderdale as additionally insured. Each artist must sign a Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) waiver acknowledging that the temporary nature of the mural panels and festival may result in the eventual relocation, alteration or removal of the artwork. Murals created during the festival will be donated to partnering art and cultural non-profit organizations. Artists grant permission for BFA and partner nonprofits to photograph, reproduce and use images of the artwork for promotional, educational and fundraising purposes, with credit to the artist whenever possible. They are also expected to comply with all festival guidelines, deadlines and on-site safety requirements. Applications for local arts and cultural non-profit organizations open on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 and close on Monday, November 10th, 2025. Selected organizations will be announced on Thursday, November 20th, 2025. Participation in this event provides a non-profit organization with the opportunity to showcase itself over two days and partner with a professional artist who will create a mural inspired by its mission. They also gain visibility, recruit volunteers and engage the community through a free vendor table at the event. This experience highlights their impact, builds lasting connections and allows them to be part of a free community arts event designed to foster collaboration, creativity and awareness. More information and non-profit applications are availabe at: https://bfabroward.org/programs/bfa-art-walls-mural-fest/call-to-arts-and-cultural-nonprofits/ Selected non-profits will receive a $1,000 stipend and receive the artists’ completed mural after the event to display at their location. There is also an optional opportunity for Non-Profits to perform during the festival. To apply, NonProfits must provide the name of the organization, mission statement and contact information for one staff member to serve as the primary point of contact. Non-Profits will be scored on established arts and cultural organizations in Broward County, ability to help promote the event via social media and email campaigns, community impact and reach and youth programs offered. If applicable, five youth-oriented non-profits will be selected. This year’s sponsors include BBX Capital, Wayne and Lucretia Weiner, and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). For additional information, contact BFA’s Executive Director Robyn Vegas at: (954) 940-4933. Or: rvegas@bfabroward.org . Full event details are available at: https://bfabroward.org/programs/bfa-art-walls-mural-fest/ . 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 Next

The State of Our Nation: Things Are Getting Worse, Not Better Thu Mar 10 2022 05:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

2.6 Million Students Begin New School Year Across Israel As 260,000 Teachers Return To Classrooms Aventura Digest Sep 17, 2026 According To Israel's Ministry Of Education, The Country's Education System Opened The 2026-2027 School Year Today At Approximately 28,000 Educational Institutions Across The Country. About 2.6 million students began the year, including approximately 180,000 first-grade students taking their first steps in school and approximately 143,000 twelfth-grade students beginning their final year in the education system. Approximately 260,000 teaching staff began the new school year nationwide, per Ministry figures. Within that national opening, Israel Sci-Tech Schools (ISTS), Israel's largest independent “charter” school network, welcomed 100,000 students today across 265 educational institutions in 57 towns and municipalities throughout the country, supported by 8,373 teachers and staff. "We are excited to open the new school year with an outstanding education staff that gives students the knowledge, tools, and sense of capability to dare, take initiative, and make an impact," said Raz Frohlich, CEO of Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network. "We are proud to raise, at ISTS, a curious, values-driven, and engaged generation that acts for the benefit of Israeli society. We will continue to cultivate excellence in values and academics, out of belief in our students and their ability to lead tomorrow." Frohlich added: "Our role is not only to provide knowledge. Our role is to create the environment in which they will discover who they can be - to build a community of excellence, values, innovation, responsibility, and a sense of mission. To be the place where the seeds are planted that shape the Israeli society of tomorrow. This was the mission of the pioneers and leaders more than a hundred years ago, and it is also our mission today. I wish all of us a meaningful, successful school year.” About Israel Sci-Tech Schools: Founded in 1949, Israel Sci-Tech Schools is Israel’s largest independent charter school network, educating 100,000 students across 264 middle and high schools, vocational training centers, and colleges of practical engineering in 54 municipalities. The network delivers inclusive, life-changing iSTEAM education (innovation, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) to students from all backgrounds—Jewish (secular to Haredi), Muslim, Christian, Bedouin, and Druze—regardless of gender, religion, or socio-economic status. Through academic excellence and values-driven leadership, the network empowers students to succeed in high-demand 21st-century careers and helps close social and economic gaps in Israeli society. Previous Next

Annual Epilepsy Walk In Hollywood To Be Held This Weekend - The Walk Is The Largest Local Event That Raises Awareness And Funds For Individuals Living With Epilepsy South Florida Sun Times Apr 1, 2025 Epilepsy Alliance Florida Will Host Its Annual Walk The Talk For Epilepsy In Hollywood On Saturday, April 5th, 2025—The Largest Community Event In The Area That Raises Awareness And Funds For Individuals Living With Epilepsy. The Walk Will Be Held At North Beach Park, Located At 3601 North Ocean Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33019 With A Start Time Of 9:00 a.m. The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy, sponsored by UCB, Aquestive, Memorial Neuroscience Institute, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Assertio, Holman Enterprise, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, The Salah Foundation and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, will feature a two-mile walk and family-friendly entertainment, including a live DJ, face painting and special appearances by Star Wars characters. "Epilepsy makes daily life a difficult journey for many individuals," said Karen Basha Egozi, President and CEO of Epilepsy Alliance Florida. "This event, which unites us as one, highlights the essential support we provide to over 500,000 Floridians affected by Epilepsy and helps to shine a light on the importance of awareness in our local communities." Ten-year-old Mauro Gomez will be honored at the event with Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Clayton Feig Youth Award, an award commemorating youth who battle seizures and that highlights the important work of those dedicated to removing the stigma associated with Epilepsy. The award was established in memory of Clayton Feig, a young man who demonstrated courage and strength of character while dealing with epilepsy. Complications from Epilepsy claimed Clayton’s life in 1993 when he was just 18-years-old. Diagnosed last year after experiencing nocturnal seizures, seizures that occur during sleep, Mauro has refused to let epilepsy define him. Mauro’s commitment to raising Epilepsy awareness has already taken him to Tallahassee for Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Capitol Day, where he met with state legislators in February to share his story and emphasize the need for greater resources and funding for those living with Epilepsy. His advocacy extends beyond Florida’s Capitol. He has expressed interest in starting an Epilepsy club at his school to help educate his peers and foster a more supportive environment. Additionally, he and his family are dedicated participants in Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s annual Walk the Talk for Epilepsy in Hollywood. Epilepsy, a neurological disease that one in 26 people will be diagnosed with at some point in their lives, is a diagnosis given when a person experiences two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another cause. It is a disorder more people live with than Autism, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy—combined. In the United States, Florida is the state with the most instances of epilepsy. The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy is one of seven walks hosted by Epilepsy Alliance Florida across the state. The other cities where walks will be held are Jacksonville, Gainesville, West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Miami, and Naples. For more information and to register, visit: https://walkthetalkfl.org/ Epilepsy Alliance Florida, established in 1971 as a Not-For-Profit 501 (c)(3), is dedicated to supporting those impacted by Epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures. It is a founding member of the Epilepsy Alliance America. Epilepsy Alliance Florida provides numerous services to individuals and families, including advocacy and counseling, education and prevention, direct medical and neuropsychological services, as well as other programs regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status. For more information, visit: https://epilepsyalliancefl.org/ Previous Next