We may not be able to hug, but we can’t forget our dads on this Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there.
This year, many of us are celebrating our fathers in a way we never dreamed — by something called social distancing.
While some will put on their masks and forfeit the hugs for an elbow bump, others will forget about the coronavirus and come in for a great, big hug.
Whatever your style, just remember to stay safe while you pour out your love and appreciation on your special guy — your dad.
New Jewish Federation officers
On May 26, at its 82nd annual meeting held by Zoom, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation elected a new board to carry out its work here and abroad. The new board will be led by longtime community leader Isaac K. “Ike” Fisher, chairman, and Ariel Bentata, vice chair.
Fisher most recently served as a the federation’s vice chair and general campaign chair. He has also served as treasurer and an executive committee member. In addition, Fisher, a principal of Capital Realty Services, has served in the federation’s real estate division, and he serves on the national board of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Bentata, founding and managing partner of investments for Accesso, has served as the federation’s major gift chair. He is a member of the board and executive committee and the international division. He is a recipient of the Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award, and was a member of The Jewish Federations of North America National Young Leadership Cabinet. He also served as chairman of the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center.
“In this time of great uncertainty with the COVID-19 crisis, we need steady and bold leadership as a community to help us navigate the challenges ahead and to meet the extraordinary needs of the most vulnerable,’’ said Jacob Solomon, federation president and CEO.
“It is also critical to address the financial security of our Jewish community institutions so the thousands of people who rely on them will continue to be able to do so in the future.”
Fisher and Bentata will take office July 1.
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation was born in 1938. It was founded in response to Kristallnacht, that fateful night when Jews in Germany saw their businesses smashed and shattered and their temples desecrated under the regime of Adolph Hitler.
Locally, the newly organized Federation invested in programs that built “Jewish knowledge, identity and peoplehood, thereby ensuring the next generation of Jews.”
The arms of the Federation’s philanthropy has stretched to Israel, where the organization helps settle immigrants and assists during crises. In addition, the Federation also supports programs in over 70 other countries, combating anti-Semitism.
The overseas work is through partnerships with the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
JCC virtual summer classes
The Miami Beach JCC will present a new six-week summer session of adult classes, starting Monday, June 22.
To participate in the virtual classes, a one-time registration fee of $60 for access to all classes is required. The fee is waived for MBJCC members. Contact karen@mbjcc.org.
Specialty classes in Spanish and memoir writing will also be offered. The six-week registration fee is $120 per person for non-members and $90 for members.
For information and to register, email debbie@mbjcc.org.
The Miami Beach JCC is at 4221 Pine Tree Drive in Miami Beach.
Also, The Miami Beach JCC’s Lunch and Learn series will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Interested persons will be able to “lunch and learn” from the comfort of their own homes with this program. The topic is, “Boosting Your Immune System.” The program will be conducted by Carla Duenas of Baptist Health.
Duenas is a registered dietitian with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and nutrition from Florida International University.
To register for the Zoom link go to: Mbjcc.ticketleap.com/jccsummer.
At 7 p.m. June 25, JCC Conversations will present “The Future of Cultural Arts in Miami.”
The panel will include, Greg Johnston, Igor Shtyrenberg, Jen Roberts, Michel Housman, and Johann Zietsman. Pola Bunster, editor-in-chief, Culture Crusaders, will be the moderator.
It’s free and open to the public. To RSVP for this virtual event, go to mbjcc.ticketleap.com/arts to receive the link.