Roll With The Punches By Judith Levy Jan 7, 2025 Life offers many ups and downs. Some blows, especially the unexpected ones, bolts out of the blue, are more hurtful than others, but what choice do we have? We must endure. The loss of loved ones, parents, partners, and worst of all a child leaves no option but to reel from the blow, get up, steady yourself and go on. Many times, we wonder what we did to deserve this unspeakable sadness. There are no answers for you, only words of sympathy that are being offered by friends who want to, but don’t really know how to comfort you. You listen, appreciate their kindness but nothing will help other than the passage of time. You look at the pictures of your dear loved ones, even talk to them, but nothing will ease your pain other than some momentary distraction and the ticking of the clock, heralding the passage of time. The calendar betrays your true feelings with each passing birthday or anniversary that shouts at you, remember me and the good times we spent together. Of course you do remember them, and painful as it is, you hold those memories dear and try to comfort yourself with recollections of the heartfelt times and the laughter you shared with these people whose absence leaves a permanent hole in your heart. I know it’s difficult, been there and done that, but do try to look forward. The people you loved would want that for you. Your happiness would be their fondest wish, so embrace that thought and try to face tomorrow with good thoughts and a smile. Rain makes flowers bloom and then to everyone’s joy, the sun comes out. Sometimes reaching out to be with someone who has walked the road you are now traveling on offers a modicum of relief from sorrow. Helping others might help you. Try it. Judith Levy speaks for organizations and is the New York Times best-selling author of GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS, which has sold over four million copies and the mega best-seller GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS published by HarperCollins. Both books, perfect gifts, are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Previous Next

Chanukah Discovery: Rare Coins Unearth Hasmonean History By Hanan Greenwood and Assaf Golan Jan 7, 2025 A remarkable archaeological discovery emerged in the Jordan Valley during this year’s Chanukah Festival: a cache of coins minted under King of Judea Alexander Jannaeus, a significant ruler of the Hasmonean Kingdom from 104–76 BCE. Jannaeus (whose Hebrew name was Jonathan, as revealed in historical records and confirmed by numismatic evidence) was descended from a lineage of revolutionary Hasmonean leaders. He was the son of John Hyrcanus, the grandson of Simon, and the great-grandson of Mattathias, who sparked the rebellion against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Seleucid Empire. That historic uprising, which began in 167 BCE, culminated in the Temple’s purification from Syrian-Greek idolatry and the genesis of the Chanukah celebration. The rebellion led to the establishment of a sovereign Jewish kingdom under Hasmonean leadership. Conducted by the University of Haifa’s premier archaeological team—including Shai Bar from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, Yoav Farhi and Michael Osband—the excavation uncovered a previously unknown roadside complex. “The site features a ritual bath, water reservoir and additional structures along Nahal Tirzah’s [the Tirzah Stream’s] banks, situated on the primary route leading to the Sartaba Fortress, which Jannaeus himself constructed,” Bar elaborated. Farhi, the Israel Museum’s ancient coin curator, noted the cache’s remarkable uniformity. Each coin bears an eight-pointed star with an Aramaic inscription reading “King Alexander Year 25” on one side, and an anchor with a Greek inscription on the reverse. Dated to 80 or 79 BCE, such comprehensive coin collections are exceptionally rare in archaeological research, making this discovery particularly significant. “Discovering this Hasmonean treasure during Chanukah imbued our work with profound meaning, especially amid the current challenging national context,” Bar said. “We hope this site will become a cherished public landmark, enriching Israel’s archaeological heritage.” Originally published by Israel Hayom. Photo by Shai Bar/The Zinman Institute of Archaeology - Ancient coins minted under King Alexander Jannaeus, found in the Jordan Valley. Previous Next

Memorial For Miami-Dade Mayor’s Mother Held At Chabad Chabad Chayil Feb 18, 2025 Pictured: Barry Snyder with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. A Shloshim Memorial Service honoring the life of Lois May Jaffin Levine, the mother of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, was held this week at Chabad Chayil in Miami-Dade North. The program began with a heartfelt performance by children from Chabad’s CHAP Program, a daily after-school program for Jewish public school students. The children sang a song about the neshama, setting a reflective tone for the evening. Rabbi Moishe Kievman of Chabad Chayil then taught 2 Mishnas corresponding to Lois May’s Jewish name, Leah Malka, with a Kabalistic Chassidic explanation based on the teachings of The Rebbe. The Kel Maleh Rachamim prayer was led by Rabbi Zalman Gansburg from Chabad of Palmetto Bay. Mayor Levine Cava read two poignant poems her mother wrote shortly before her passing, offering a glimpse into her mother’s wisdom. Everyone there joined together in singing a chapter of Tehillim, followed by Kaddish and the traditional verses of condolences. The mayor was presented with a plaque representing a dedicated square foot in the new Chabad Chayil center currently under construction in Highland Lakes. Her name will also be on permanent display together with all others that are dedicated square feet or any part of the building. https://BuildChabadChayil.org The event, which drew community members and local leaders, exemplified the values of faith, family, and community that Lois Levine instilled in her loved ones. Mayor Levine Cava, the first Jewish and first female mayor of Miami-Dade County, has been a trailblazer in public service. Overseeing a government with more than 28,000 employees and serving nearly 3 million residents, she manages an annual budget of $13 Billion. Originally from Brooklyn, she was first elected as a Miami-Dade County Commissioner in 2014 and became mayor in 2020, securing re-election in 2024. The Memorial service was organized by Rabbi Moishe & Layah Kievman. Rabbi Kievman who helped the mayor place Mezuzahs in her office when she was first elected, and has made sure she has Shmura Matzah for her Passover Seders said that: “We are lucky to have a mayor who understands the needs of each community and makes it her business to do whatever she can to help. When there was an issue with the Jewish schools throughout the county being faced with a choice of either opening up their schools to everyone, thus losing their identity, or to give up on funding, we turned to Mayor Levine Cava. The mayor called all involved parties to that meeting and made sure all issues were resolved before the meeting finished. Can you imagine the nachas of hundreds of Jewish children being able to attend Jewish schools, given to her late mother?” The memorial ended with the mayor together with everyone there making blessings on different types of food. Giving hundreds of merits to her mother's soul. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava talking with Rabbi and Layah Kievman and Avremel. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava accepts the plaque: https://BuildChabadChayil.org Kievman family with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. Previous Next

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Presents The Shvesters & More: Transforming classic Yiddish and Jewish melodies into Sophisticated, Contemporary Harmonic Arrangements Photo Credit Broward Center for the Performing Arts Feb 18, 2025 The City of Aventura has an entertaining Lineup in store for you featuring Yiddish and Jewish melodies, a Piano Festival with Ilya Itin and more. This celebration of talent and artistry promises unforgettable experiences for every audience. Timeless, dazzling, and distinctive, The Shvesters, transform classic Yiddish and Jewish melodies into sophisticated, contemporary harmonic arrangements on Thursday, March 20th at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Recognized for their tight harmonies, soulful grooves and rich improvisation, The Shvesters (Chava Levi and Polina Fradkin) have gained a reputation for their unique, refreshing interpretations of Yiddish standards and traditional Jewish songs. The duo has garnered widespread attention, with media coverage from The Jewish Journal, Voice of America, and The Grammys and sold-out concert halls in New York, Paris, Tel Avivnand beyond. The Shvesters are finally bringing their music to the stage in Aventura, supported by pianist Moshe Elmakias, with a performance that is sure to transport the audience to another world. Miami International Piano Festival presents Ilya Itin, known for his extraordinary range, power, quality of sound and command of the piano, on Sunday, March 23rd at 5:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Since capturing the Gold Medal, BBC Audience Award and Contemporary Music Prize at the 1996 Leeds International Piano Competition, Itin has performed throughout the world bringing his powerful musical imagination and mastery to wide ranging repertoire. Itin’s “Russian Marathon” concerts at the Miami International Piano Festival captured his historic recording of all 24 Preludes of Rachmaninov, and Prokofiev’s 7th and 8th Sonatas performed in one day. He released his newest recording of the complete Debussy Preludes on vinyl and high-definition audio in 2016 and his Princeton recital in July 2015 that featured beloved works by Rachmaninov and Scriabin will also be released as a state-of-the-art high-definition recording of the live performance. London's Daily Telegraph reported, "Itin’s is a rare and exciting artistry indeed … Poised, pure, and ravishing in its range of colour, Itin’s playing is a prime example of a superb technique put at the service of an inquiring and imaginative mind.” Tickets to all shows are on sale now. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter . The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-Seat Waterfront Complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. Previous Next

The New Year For Trees By Rabbi Moishe Kievman - Chabad Chayil Feb 18, 2025 When’s the last time you wished a tree Happy New Year? Coming up this year on Thursday, February 13th, is a great opportunity to do exactly that. The day is known as Tu B’Shevat, and Jewish people throughout the world celebrate it as the New Year of Trees. Well, it’s the trees that will celebrate, but we’ll celebrate together with them! After all, the Torah says, “Man is a tree of the field.” We are nurtured by deep roots, as far back as Abraham and Sarah; we reach upwards to the heavens while standing firmly on the ground; and when we do all this right, we produce delicious fruit that benefits the world—namely, our good deeds. Since Tu B'Shevat is known as the "New Year for Trees," this would naturally be a time for trees to engage in soul-searching — the same way people do on Rosh Hashanah. Here is a tree's New Year Checklist by Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe which we have posted on: www.ChabadChayil.org/tubshvat • Did I shelter the seedlings that live in my shade — so they will grow up to be a next generation like myself? • Did I grow towards the sun as a tree should, reaching up higher and higher towards that which I can never grasp, but which nurtures me all the same the more I strive towards it? • Did I make sure my roots remain firmly planted in the soil that nurtures them, and did I drop my leaves there in the fall to give back life to that which sustains me? • Did I ensure that my fruits were sweet and nourished all that came to enjoy them? Did everyone walk away from me with a smile? • Did I bend gently in the wind, accepting what G‑d sends but never breaking or giving up hope? • Did I grow in strength and wisdom with each new ring this year? Come to think of it, it’s not a bad checklist for us humans either! Traditionally, we make sure to eat fruit on this day. After all, that's what the fruits were created for. And like us, they are happy and feel fulfilled when they serve their purpose. We try to include some of those fruits for which Israel is famous, like olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates. But regardless of which fruit we eat, as with any food, we always precede it with a blessing, thanking G-d for sharing with us his delicious creations. The blessing for fruit in Hebrew is Baruch atah A-donay, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam borei pri ha-aitz. If it’s a fruit that we haven’t yet enjoyed this season we make an additional blessing of Ba-ruch A-tah A-do-noi E-loi-hei-nu Me-lech ha-o-lam she-he-chee-ya-nu v'ki-yi-ma-nu vi-hi-gi-ya-nu liz-man ha-zeh. This year we will host a special workshop on growing MicroGreens and Sprouts at home. It will take place on Wednesday, February 12th, 7:00 p.m. at Chabad Chayil in the Highland Lakes section of Miami-Dade North. You can learn more about this holiday at: www.ChabadChayil.org/tubshvat . We wish all of our neighbors and friends a Happy Tu B’Shvat! May all our trees grow forth beautifully, giving off delicious fruit! 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 Previous Next

Celebrating Celia Malavsky By Linda Chase - Jewish Connection News Jan 7, 2025 On November 2nd, 2024, Celia Malavsky of Hollywood, Florida turned 100 years old and her family gathered from across the nation and even from Israel to celebrate her. In honor of Bubby’s 100th birthday, her 13 grandchildren (and their spouses) and 38 great-grandchildren, all contributed to Jewish National Fund-USA to plant a garden of 100 trees in Israel in her name. Said her granddaughter, Shira Stein, “A tree represents life, growth, wisdom and prosperity. All of these qualities describe their beautiful Bubby filled with life, wisdom and love. All of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been nurtured and have grown from the roots that she has provided to each individual in her family tree.” Celia and her husband, Rabbi Morton Malavsky z”l have fostered a love of Israel in all of their children and grandchildren and even facilitated many of their grandchildren’s first trips to Israel together with them. In fact, two of Celia’s great-granddaughters are currently serving in the IDF and sent special birthday messages since they were unable to attend the party. These 100 trees honor not just the many wonderful years of Celia’s life, but also her ongoing commitment to her family and the Jewish homeland. Photo credit her granddaughter, Shira Stein Previous Next

Hadassah Reopens Key Spaces - At Its Youth Villages In Israel Following Extensive Renovations By Linda Chase - Jewish Connection News Jan 7, 2025 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, has reopened two facilities at its youth villages in Israel, which serve vulnerable teens and pre-teens, following extensive renovations. The psychological therapy center at Hadassah’s Meir Shfeyah youth village, near Haifa, will now be known as the Ellen Hershkin Therapeutic Center in honor of Hadassah’s 26th national president, who led the organization from 2016 to 2019. At the Hadassah Neurim youth village, near Netanya, the spacious, redesigned emergency shelter will serve as a secure space and command center during emergencies and a leisure and activity space year-round. The renovations were made possible by more than $500,000 from Hadassah’s crisis-response fundraising efforts following the October 7 attacks. The youth villages, which are home to almost 700 students and 200 staff members, are supported by Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah program. Ellen Hershkin Therapeutic Center at Meir Shfeyah Youth Village The Ellen Hershkin Therapeutic Center offers Meir Shfeyah’s residents a welcoming environment where they can meet with social workers and therapists. The renovation is especially timely given the increasing number of residents experiencing trauma due to the October 7th invasion and the subsequent war. While the Center is located on the first floor of the Meir Shfeyah administration building, the renovation encompassed the building’s entire exterior and interior. “I’m humbled to see my name on an edifice that exists solely to be a safe haven for our young residents,” said past Hershkin. “Children are a country’s greatest resource and nurturing them, which Hadassah does in partnership with many, many talented and dedicated professionals, donors and volunteers, is more than a mitzvah. It is holy work.” As part of the ceremony, Hershkin and Inessa Shlomov, the mother of Meir Shfeyah graduate Simon Shlomov, who was killed in February while serving with the IDF, affixed a mezuzah to the entrance to the Center. Emergency Shelter at Hadassah Neurim Youth Village The almost 4,000-square-foot shelter on the campus of Hadassah Neurim has been upgraded and outfitted to protect students and faculty from attack while providing a year-round leisure and activity space. The shelter now offers four large rooms – a Yoga-Pilates-dance studio, a movie theater, a student leadership room and a staff room – as well as two kitchens and two bathrooms. A nurse’s station is available for emergencies and the staff room has been set up to function as a command center in a crisis. During the dedication ceremony, which honored Hadassah Neurim graduates and family members killed on or since October 7th, those assembled lit memorial candles and recited a prayer for fallen IDF soldiers. Previous Next

Books & Books Is Proud To Present: On Being Jewish Now An Evening With Talia Carner, Dara Levan, Amy Ephron, Zibby Owens And Debbie Reed Fischer Pictured: Panelists Talia Carner Feb 18, 2025 On Being Jewish Now is an intimate and hopeful collection of meaningful, smart, funny, sad, emotional, and inspiring essays from today’s authors and advocates about what it means to be Jewish, how life has changed since the attacks on October 7th, 2023, and the unique culture that brings this group together. On October 7th, 2023, Jews in Israel were attacked in the largest pogrom since the Holocaust. It was a day felt by Jews everywhere who came together to process and speak out in ways some never had before. In this collection, 75 contributors speak to Jewish joy, celebration, laughter, food, trauma, loss, love, and family, and the common threads that course through the Jewish people: resilience and humor. Contributors include Mark Feuerstein, Jill Zarin, Steve Leder, Joanna Rakoff, Amy Ephron, Lisa Barr, Annabelle Gurwitch, Daphne Merkin, Bradley Tusk, Sharon Brous, Jenny Mollen, Nicola Kraus, Caroline Leavitt, and many others. On Being Jewish Now is edited by Zibby Owens, bestselling author, podcaster, bookstore owner, and CEO of Zibby Media. Books & Books Event Books & Books is proud to present an evening with Talia Carner, Dara Levan, Amy Ephron, Zibby Owens, and Debbie Reed Fischer discussing their contributions in On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates (Zibby Books, $12.99). Date and Time Monday, February 24th • 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location Books & Books 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134 Panelists Talia Carner Novelist Talia Carner is formerly the publisher of Savvy Woman Magazine, a marketing consultant and a lecturer at international women’s economic forums. An award-winning author of six novels and numerous stories, essays and articles, she is also a committed supporter of global human rights. Carner has spearheaded ground-breaking projects centered on female plight and women’s activism. Panelists Amy Ephron Amy Ephron is a bestselling and award-winning novelist of both adult and children’s novels. Amy Ephron has spent some of her life chronicling Los Angeles & New York and places in-between. From her Los Angeles Times’ Magazine column “Palm Latitudes” to New York Times T Magazine column “L.A. POV,” and Contributor and Contributing Editor at Vogue & www.Vogue.com . Some of these pieces appear in her collection, “Loose Diamonds.” Panelists Dara Levan Her desire to impact others through words began as a young girl. When her grandmother lived in a nursing home, she interviewed the residents and wrote their stories. She was 12 years old at the time and living in her hometown, North Miami Beach. Dara devoured books of all genres and still does but her favorites are women's fiction, family sagas, and evocative, life-affirming stories. Communicating and connecting with others continued throughout high school. Dara earned a B.A. in English and a minor in Journalism at Indiana University. Those four years prompted profound transformation. She will never forget those weeks. She didn’t fully pursue her life’s passion and purpose until 2017 when she launched Every Soul Has a Story®. The journey is all about the people she met along the way. What began as a blog has expanded to include a podcast, an inclusive space in which she interviews inspiring guests from around the globe. She's realized that we can write and rewrite our own stories. Panelists Debbie Reed Fischer Debbie Reed Fischer is a best-selling author and speaker, praised by Kirkus Reviews for “balancing weighty issues with a sharp wit.” Debbie’s father was a USAF colonel and diplomat, so she and her brothers grew up in many places, including England, Greece, Florida, New York, and the Washington D.C. area. Before the age of thirteen, Debbie had trekked through Egypt on a camel, floated on a gondola in Venice, played hide and seek in palaces and castles, gotten lost in the underground cisterns of Istanbul, climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, hiked the Samaria Gorge in Crete, touched the pillars of StoneHenge, and much, much more. Through it all, she dreamed of writing novels and film scripts, and is lucky enough to have done both. She is grateful to have had an upbringing surrounded by many languages and cultures. Best of all, she had a dad who loved books and a mom who loved storytelling, especially tales about her childhood in Guantanamo. A graduate of the University of Miami, Debbie majored in Screenwriting and Judaic Studies with a minor in English. While still a student, she contributed to the critically acclaimed book Tropical Diaspora: The Jewish Experience in Cuba, the very first study on the Cuban-Jewish community, which included interviews with her mother and relatives. After graduation, she went on tour singing and dancing with the U.S.O. during Operation Desert Storm. Debbie worked for many years as a film/TV agent and model booker. Debbie has contributed to numerous anthologies, non-fiction books, and articles. She is a speaker and writing instructor, presenting at literary conferences, universities, schools, and author panels. Her short story This is What I’ll Tell You in Coming of Age: 13 B’nai Mitzvah Stories (Albert Whitman & Company) is semi-autobiographical, with a portion of the proceeds going to organizations fighting Antisemitism. When she’s not writing, Debbie can be found at concerts with her husband Eric, watching her sons Louis and Sam play hockey, or searching for the perfect café con leche. She divides her time between South Florida and North Carolina. Connect with Debbie on Instagram and Facebook. Founding member of: www.theartistsagainstantisemitism.com . Panelists Zibby Owens Zibby Owens is the creator and host of award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books and has been dubbed "NYC's Most Important Book-fluencer" (Vulture). She is the co-founder and CEO of Zibby Books publishing house, Zibby's Bookshop in Santa Monica, CA, and creator of "the Zibby-verse" community of book lovers. Zibby is the author of the novel Blank, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature, the children's book Princess Charming, and editor of three anthologies including On Being Jewish Now. Follow her on Instagram where she tells it like it is. www.zibbyowens.com Follow her on Instagram: @zibbyowens and subscribe to her Substack: www.zibbyowens.com . About The Event The event will take place at the Books & Books in Coral Gables at 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. Tickets are FREE and books will be available for purchase at the event. All profits will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism. Panelists Dara Levan Panelists Amy Ephron Panelists Zibby Owens Panelists Debbie Reed Fischer On Being Jewish Now - A USA Today Bestseller Previous Next