SOBEWFF Heads To Hallandale Beach: Celebrity Chef Dinner and 1001 Arabian-Nights Shines Spotlight on International Food In The City Thu Feb 16 2023 17:13:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Tracing Roots By The Shores: The Miami Beach Jewish History Talk Jewish Connection News May 2, 2025 As The Waves Gently Lap The Iconic Shores Of Miami Beach, Just A Few Blocks Inland Lies A Quieter But Equally Powerful Current — The Rich, Enduring Story Of The City’s Jewish Community. This Spring, That Story Takes Center Stage In A Series Of Illuminating FREE Events Hosted By The Jewish Museum Of Florida-FIU. Titled The Miami Beach Jewish History Talk, This Engaging Series Welcomes Residents, History Buffs, And Curious Tourists Alike To Explore The People, Places, And Pivotal Moments That Helped Shape One Of South Florida’s Most Vibrant Communities. Held at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, located at 301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, 33139, the talks take place on Saturdays: May 3rd, May 10th and May 24th. Each session is an invitation to dive deep into the evolution of Jewish life in Miami Beach — from its early 20th-century origins to its thriving present. Admission is FREE, but space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to reserve a spot on Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-miami-beach-jewish-history-talk-tickets-1064467313389 Miami Beach has not always been the inclusive haven many know it as today. In the early 1900’s, Jewish residents and visitors were frequently excluded from hotels, social clubs, and even home ownership in certain neighborhoods. Despite these barriers, the Jewish community established a firm foothold, building its own institutions, businesses, and places of worship. Over time, those roots grew into a strong network of cultural, political, and economic influence that has helped shape the Miami Beach we know today. The museum’s history talks trace this transformation — how resilience turned into leadership, and how a once-marginalized group helped create a flourishing cultural tapestry that continues to evolve. A Living Legacy in a Historic Space There’s something particularly special about holding these talks within the walls of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. Housed in two lovingly restored former synagogues, the museum is itself a testament to the history it seeks to preserve and share. The venue embodies the spirit of the community it represents, with its original stained-glass windows and Art Deco details whispering stories of generations past. Visitors will find themselves immersed not just in historical facts, but in the atmosphere of a time when Jewish families were establishing roots in a new land, all while maintaining ties to rich cultural and religious traditions. Each session is more than a lecture — it’s a chance to connect across time and culture. Whether you're a local who grew up hearing tales of your grandparents’ Miami beginnings or a newcomer curious about the layers beneath the city’s sun-kissed surface, the Miami Beach Jewish History Talk offers something for everyone. Expect to hear about early Jewish entrepreneurs who opened some of the city's first Kosher hotels, community leaders who fought to end housing discrimination, and local artists and thinkers whose work continues to impact the cultural scene. The talks also highlight how Jewish Miamians have contributed to the broader movements for civil rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and interfaith collaboration. The series is part of the museum’s larger mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the Jewish experience in Florida. By focusing on Miami Beach, these talks hone in on a locale that played an outsized role in shaping Florida’s Jewish narrative. Organizers note that part of what makes these talks so meaningful is the audience participation. Many attendees bring their own stories and questions, enriching the conversation and helping to preserve even more slices of history. The museum encourages intergenerational visitors — grandparents, parents, and children — to attend together and reflect on how personal and communal histories intertwine. As Miami Beach continues to evolve and welcome new waves of residents and visitors, understanding its layered past becomes all the more important. In a time of increased awareness about identity and inclusion, revisiting the roots of the Jewish community in Miami Beach is both timely and essential. It’s a reminder that cities are shaped not only by skylines and beaches, but by the people who dream, struggle, and build within them. Whether you attend for the historical insight, the community connections, or simply to appreciate the beautifully restored museum space, the Miami Beach Jewish History Talk offers a rare and meaningful way to engage with the city’s cultural heart. Plan Your Visit Event: Miami Beach Jewish History Talk Dates: Saturdays — May 10th and May 24th Location: Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU 301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Admission: Free and open to the public RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-miami-beach-jewish-history-talk-tickets-1064467313389 Come with curiosity, leave with connection — and perhaps a deeper appreciation for the many hands that have helped shape this coastal gem. Previous Next

Winter Fest Is Back - A Magical Holiday Experience In Sunny Isles Beach November 21, 2024 Share Get ready for an unforgettable holiday celebration in Sunny Isles Beach! The much-anticipated Winter Fest is back, promising an enchanting and interactive light display that will captivate visitors of all ages. This year, the event comes with an immersive experience that brings the beloved holiday to life through a dazzling array of lights, decorations, and surprises. Whether you're a local resident or visiting from out of town, Winter Fest at Gateway Park is the place to be this holiday season. On Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, Gateway Park, located at 151 Sunny Isles Boulevard, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160 will be transformed into a winter wonderland. The festivities kick off at 6:00 p.m. marking the official start of the holiday season in Sunny Isles Beach. But the magic doesn't stop there—this year’s Winter Fest offers visitors a truly immersive 45-minute walk-through experience that takes you through a world of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and holiday-themed installations. The park will be aglow with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights, transforming the venue into a spectacle that promises to take visitors on a journey through magical holiday stories. Along the walk, you'll encounter interactive elements that allow you to engage with the displays in fun and creative ways—perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit. Winter Fest is designed to be a family-friendly experience, offering fun for everyone from toddlers to grandparents. The 45-minute walk-through is easy to navigate, ensuring that attendees of all ages can enjoy the festivities. As you stroll through Gateway Park, you’ll be surrounded by a mesmerizing display of lights and enchanting decorations that will delight the senses. There are plenty of surprises along the way—expect to encounter magical characters, twinkling trees, and festive touches that will make your visit feel truly special. For families with children, the event is a perfect opportunity to create lasting memories. There will be plenty of photo-worthy moments, so make sure to bring your camera to capture the joy and wonder of the experience. The walk-through is also designed to be accessible, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the event, regardless of mobility challenges. Reserve Your Spot To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, Winter Fest operates on a reservation system. Attendees will need to select a 45-minute time slot for their walk-through experience when registering for the event. The available time slots are: 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. Each time slot is designed to give visitors enough space to explore the displays at their own pace while managing crowd sizes for a more intimate and enjoyable experience. Because Winter Fest is expected to be a popular event, it’s recommended to register early to secure your preferred time. Tickets for Winter Fest are available for $50 per person, with a discounted rate for residents of Sunny Isles Beach. Residents can purchase tickets for just $5 if they are pre-purchased, or $25 at the event. To receive the discounted rate, residents must present a valid Sunny Isles Beach Resident ID Card at the time of registration. Please note that late arrivals (more than 10 minutes after the scheduled time) may be denied entry, so be sure to arrive on time for your selected time slot. If you're a resident, it’s highly recommended to register in advance to take advantage of the discounted rate and secure your preferred time. Registration for Winter Fest is easy and can be done online through the official City of Sunny Isles Beach website. Simply visit the registration page at: https://sibflchs.net/CourseActivities.aspx?id=1015&cat=7 to reserve your spot. The registration process is straightforward, and you can select your preferred time slot when booking. If you are a Sunny Isles Beach resident, be sure to have your Resident ID Card handy when registering to qualify for the discounted ticket price. If you don’t have a Resident ID Card, you can still enjoy the event at the regular ticket price of $50. As always, the City of Sunny Isles Beach is committed to ensuring that Winter Fest is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. There will be plenty of staff on hand to help guide visitors through the event and provide assistance when needed. For those concerned about health and safety, rest assured that all recommended guidelines will be in place to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees. In addition to the stunning light displays, there will be various food and beverage vendors offering holiday treats and snacks. So, while you enjoy the lights and the festive atmosphere, you can also grab a hot chocolate or a warm snack to add to the holiday cheer. Winter Fest is more than just a light display—it’s an interactive experience that brings the holiday season to life in a truly magical way. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends, create lasting memories, and embrace the festive spirit. Be sure to mark your calendar and register early to reserve your spot at this unforgettable event. Event Details: When: Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Where: Gateway Park, 151 Sunny Isles Boulevard, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160 Ticket Price: $50 per person (Resident ID Holders: $5 pre-purchase, $25 at event) Register: https://sibflchs.net/CourseActivities.aspx?id=1015&cat=7 Get ready to step into a winter wonderland and make this holiday season one to remember. Winter Fest is sure to be a highlight of your holiday celebrations in Sunny Isles Beach! For more information contact the Cultural & Community Services Department at: (305) 792-1706. Or email: ccsd@sibfl.net (Photo Credit: www.sibfl.gov ) < Previous News Next News >

Celebrate The Season: Part 2 - The Broward Center Has Spectacular December Performances Thu Dec 05 2024 17:45:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

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The Right To Not Be Lied To: Making The Case For Truth In Politics By John & Nisha Whitehead August 8, 2024 Share Q: “How can you tell if a politician is lying?” A: “When his lips are moving.” The First Amendment assures us of a right to Free Speech. It does not, unfortunately, explicitly assure us of a right to not be lied to by our government and its various officials. Any hope of holding government officials accountable for their lies rests with the political process, in the voting booths and through the impeachment process, which themselves have become so ineffective as to offer little real hope of transparency, accountability or reform. We have been lied to so much, for so long, and on every subject, by government officials of every stripe that political lies have become our norm. It says something about the sorry state of our nation and the low bar we have set for those we elect to represent us. However, although there are few consequences for government officials who lie to the public, the Deep State continues to wage war on those who challenge its lies, half-truths and obfuscations. Case in point: Julian Assange. Although the news of Assange’s plea deal was quickly overshadowed by the drama that is the 2024 Presidential Election (the WikiLeaks founder pled guilty to a “single felony count of illegally obtaining and disclosing national security material in exchange for his release from a British prison”), his persecution at the hands of the Deep State was a warning shot over the bow for anyone who dares speak truth to power. The Deep State has embarked on a ruthless, take-no-prisoners, all-out assault on truth-tellers. Activists, journalists and whistleblowers alike continue to be terrorized, traumatized, tortured and subjected to the fear-inducing, mind-altering, soul-destroying, smash-your-face-in tactics employed by the superpowers-that-be. In an age of prosecutions for thought crimes, pre-crime deterrence programs, and government agencies that operate like organized crime syndicates, this is a new kind of tyranny being imposed on those who dare to expose the crimes of the Deep State, whose reach has gone global. What happened to Assange was intended to send a message to anyone who dares to speak truth to power: don’t even consider it. Some background: Assange, the founder of a website that published secret information, news leaks, and classified media from anonymous sources, was arrested on April 11th, 2019, on charges of helping U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Chelsea Manning access and leaked more than 700,000 classified military documents that portray the U.S. government and its military as reckless, irresponsible and responsible for thousands of civilian deaths. In true Orwellian fashion, the government would have us believe that it is Assange and Manning who are the real criminals for daring to expose the war machine’s seedy underbelly. This is how the police state deals with those who challenge its chokehold on power. Make no mistake: the government is waging war on journalists and whistleblowers for disclosing information relating to government misconduct that is within the public’s right to know. Yet we desperately need greater scrutiny and transparency, not less. Indeed, transparency is one of those things the shadow government fears the most. Why? Because it might arouse the distracted American populace to actually exercise their rights and resist the tyranny that is inexorably asphyxiating their freedoms. This need to shed light on government actions—to make the obscure, least transparent reaches of government accessible and accountable—was a common theme for Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, who famously coined the phrase, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Of course, transparency is futile without a populace that is informed, engaged and prepared to hold the government accountable to abiding by the rule of law. For this reason, it is vital that citizens have the right to criticize the government without fear. After all, we’re citizens, not subjects. For those who don’t fully understand the distinction between the two and why transparency is so vital to a healthy constitutional government, Manning explains it well: “There is a bright distinction between citizens, who have rights and privileges protected by the state, and subjects, who are under the complete control and authority of the state.” Manning goes on to suggest that the U.S. “needs legislation to protect the public’s right to Free Speech and a Free Press, to protect it from the actions of the Executive Branch and to promote the integrity and transparency of the US government.” Technically, we’ve already got such legislation on the books: the First Amendment. The First Amendment gives the citizenry the right to speak freely, protest peacefully, expose government wrongdoing, and criticize the government without fear of arrest, isolation or any of the other punishments that have been meted out to whistleblowers such as Edwards Snowden, Assange and Manning. The challenge is holding the government accountable to obeying the law. Yet this isn’t merely about whether whistleblowers and journalists are part of a protected class under the Constitution. It’s a debate over how long “We The People” will remain a protected class under the Constitution. Following the current downward trajectory, it won’t be long before anyone who believes in holding the government accountable is labeled an “extremist,” is relegated to an underclass that doesn’t fit in, must be watched all the time, and is rounded up when the government deems it necessary. Eventually, we will all be potential suspects, terrorists and lawbreakers in the eyes of the government. All of us are in danger. Partisan politics have no place in this debate: Americans of all stripes would do well to remember that those who question the motives of government provide a necessary counterpoint to those who would blindly follow where politicians choose to lead. We don’t have to agree with every criticism of the government, but we must defend the rights of all individuals to speak freely without fear of punishment or threat of banishment. Never forget: what the architects of the police state want are submissive, compliant, cooperative, obedient, meek citizens who don’t talk back, don’t challenge government authority, don’t speak out against government misconduct, and don’t step out of line. What the First Amendment protects—and a healthy constitutional republic requires—are individuals such as Julian Assange who routinely exercise their right to speak truth to power. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, the right to speak out against government wrongdoing is the quintessential freedom. 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 News Next News >

Cancer Clinical Trials For Broward Residents: More Grants Expand Access To Potentially Life-Saving Clinical Trials & Treatments October 20, 2022 Share More Broward residents diagnosed with Cancer have access to potentially life-saving Cancer Clinical Trials and Treatment Programs, thanks to recent Grants by Community Foundation Of Broward. More than 900 local Cancer patients have participated in Clinical Trials as a result of $2 Million invested by the Foundation since 2016. Community Foundation Grants totaling $350,000 have recently been awarded to Broward Health in collaboration with the University of Miami for Early Detection Of Gynecological Cancers through expanded research partnerships to Florida International University Foundation in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Florida for individualized treatments in adults with Relapsed/Refractory Cancers and to Memorial Foundation for its Cancer Biospecimen Resources Project in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University. The Grants are specifically focused on expanding the availability of Cancer Clinical Trials to Broward residents. They grew out of the Community Foundation’s commitment to “Cancel Cancer,” which has strong support from many fundholders at the Foundation. Comprehensive information about Cancer Clinical Trials is also available at a user-friendly website of the National Cancer Institute NCI, part of The National Institutes of Health. The website includes pages on clinical trials information for patients and caregivers, on steps to find a clinical trial, on related publications and on the availability of NCI’s Cancer Information Service, including telephone lines to call and online chat services to consult. NCI provides accurate, up-to-date and reliable information. Of course, Cancer Patients should consult with their Oncologists and other Physicians about all aspects of their treatment programs, including the possibility of participating in Cancer Clinical trials. In addition to Grants for expanded Clinical Trials, Community Foundation of Broward Grants have made it possible for another 2,800 Cancer Patients and their families to receive Cancer-Related Support Services. New Foundation Grants for Broward Cancer Support Services were recently awarded to Gilda’s Club South Florida to provide vital support groups and activities to more than 200 Cancer Patients, their families and caregivers and to Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation to provide Emergency Financial Assistance for 20 low-income families who have a child undergoing Cancer Treatments and are unable to pay for basic needs. “Expanded access for Broward residents to Cancer Clinical Trials is a major goal of the Foundation,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson. “In addition, we want Broward residents to have easy access to Cancer Support Services.” For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward, please email Kirk Englehardt, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Community Foundation at: kenglehardt@cfbroward.org . Or call: (954) 761-9503. About Community Foundation of Broward Founded in 1984, Community Foundation of Broward (CFB) helps families, individuals, and corporations create personalized charitable Funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 473 charitable Funds represent more than $212 million in assets, distributing $119 million in grants over the past 35 years. CFB provides bold leadership on community solutions and fosters philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter – which empowers visionaries, innovators and doers to create the change they want to see in the community – and BE BOLD. www.cfbroward.org . < Previous News Next News >

Timely Lessons About Tyranny from the Father of the Constitution By John & Nisha Whitehead June 21, 2024 Share “Take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties.” — James Madison. James Madison, often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” once predicted that the Bill of Rights would become mere “parchment barrier,” words on paper ignored by successive generations of Americans. How right he was. Although Madison initially felt that the inclusion of a bill of rights in the originally ratified Constitution was unnecessary to its success, Thomas Jefferson persuaded him that “a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, & what no just government should refuse, or rest on inferences.” The Bill of Rights drafted by Madison—the first ten amendments to the Constitution—was a document so revolutionary at the time that it would come to be viewed as the epitome of American liberty. The rights of the people reflected in those ten amendments encapsulated much of Madison’s views about government, the corrupting influence of power, and the need for safeguards against tyranny. Madison’s writings speak volumes to the present constitutional crisis in the country. Read them and weep. “The accumulation of all powers, Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” — James Madison “The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.” — James Madison “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” — James Madison “A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home.” — James Madison “Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.” — James Madison “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” — James Madison “I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”— James Madison In the years since the founders laid their lives on the line to pursue the dream of individual freedom and self-government, big government has grown bigger and the rights of the citizenry have grown smaller. However, there are certain principles—principles that every American should know—which undergird the American system of government and form the basis of our freedoms. The following seven principles are a good starting point for understanding what free government is really all about. First, the maxim that power corrupts is an absolute truth. Realizing this, those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights held one principle sacrosanct: a distrust of all who hold governmental power. As such, those who drafted our founding documents would see today’s government as an out-of-control, unmanageable beast. The second principle is that governments primarily exist to secure rights, an idea that is central to constitutionalism. The purpose of constitutionalism is to limit governmental power and ensure that the government performs its basic function: to preserve and protect our rights, especially our unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and our civil liberties. Unfortunately, the government today has discarded this principle and now sees itself as our master, not our servant. The third principle revolves around the belief that no one is above the law, not even those who make the law. This is termed rule of law. Richard Nixon’s statement, “When the President does it, that means it is not illegal,” would have been an anathema to the Framers of the Constitution. Fourth, separation of powers ensures that no single authority is entrusted with all the powers of government. The fact that the president today has dictatorial powers would have been considered an offense to every principle for which the Framers took their revolutionary stand. Fifth, a system of checks and balances, essential if a constitutional government is to succeed, strengthens the separation of powers and prevents legislative despotism. The Framers did not anticipate the emergence of presidential powers or the inordinate influence of corporate powers on governmental decision-making. Indeed, as recent academic studies now indicate, we are now ruled by a monied oligarchy that serves itself and not “we the people.” Sixth, representation allows the people to have a voice in government by sending elected representatives to do their bidding while avoiding the need of each and every citizen to vote on every issue considered by government. Finally, federalism is yet another constitutional device to limit the power of government by dividing power and, thus, preventing tyranny. In America, the levels of government generally break down into federal, state and local branches (which further divide into counties and towns or cities). Because local and particular interests differ from place to place, such interests are better handled at a more intimate level by local governments, not a bureaucratic national government. These seven vital principles have been largely forgotten in recent years, obscured by the haze of a centralized government, a citizenry that no longer thinks analytically, and schools that don’t adequately teach our young people about their history and their rights. Yet here’s the rub: while Americans wander about in their brainwashed states, their “government of the people, by the people and for the people” has largely been taken away from them. The answer, as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries: get un-brainwashed. Learn your rights. Stand up for the founding principles. Make your voice and your vote count for more than just political posturing. Never cease to vociferously protest the erosion of your freedoms at the local and national level. Most of all, do these things today. If we wait until the votes have all been counted or hang our hopes on our particular candidate to win and fix what’s wrong with the country, “we the people” will continue to lose. 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 News Next News >