January was an amazing month for our Kadima and USY chapters! On the 8^th, we coordinated an amazing Ice Skating even with Pines (Beth Am-Cooper City), Margate (Beth Am-Margate) and TBT (Beth Torah-Tamarac) USY at the Saveology.com Iceplex, in which over 40 kids attended! On the 4^th, our USYers and Kadimaniks had a GREAT time at IKEA in Sunrise for a scavenger hunt. From the 13^th-15^th, Regional General Board/Young Leaders Weekend was held at Camp Ramah Darom in Clayton, Georgia. We had 5 USYers attend…the second-most in the Region! Max Winn (Arvot President), Daniel Lerner (Arvot Israel Correspondent), Sarah Jarvis (Scorpions Chapter President), Matt Rall (Scorpions Young Leader) and Alyssa Cox (Scorpions Young Leader) had a fantastic time and learned a lot!

On the 18^th, the USYers experienced a Blast from the Past and on the 22^nd, played basketball with Pines against the rest of Arvot!

We had a joyous January and can’t wait for a fantastic February and a marvelous March!

If you would like to hear more about our Kadima and USY programs, please contact me using the information below!

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me!

Steven Resnick

Youth Director

Sunrise Jewish Center

Cell: 407.310.5410

EMail: SJCYouthDirector@gmail.com

www.SunriseJewishCenter.org

Sunrise Jewish Center promises its members a very bright and rejuvenated future ahead. I encourage everyone to stay supportive of our religious home as we move forward. Remember to keep in touch with us via facebook, twitter and by visiting our website for all of our upcoming events and the latest news!

We have many new exciting programs currently going on. Adult Ed classes, upcoming Talent Show, etc.

We are back with our monthly sports-themed Shabbat Dinner/Family Services the first Friday of the month. Let’s have some fun!!

Baruch Hashem,

David Berger

Recently we have witnessed the rise of many “popular” movements. The “Occupy” movement, the consumer complaints that have changed corporate policies, and civil uprisings in the Arab world-all of these may be describes as “popular” because they came about because of the efforts of individuals. For better or worse, with today’s instant global communications an idea really can spread like wildfire if not faster! The obvious dangers are undeniable but so are the blessings. Today, going “viral” means that one person can get a message out to the entire world. The dreams and hopes of an individual can become the common property of millions with just the click of a mouse.

What a paradox it is-in a world that seems so large and fragmented, a world that seems to make an individual feel so helpless in the face of government and corporate policies, we find that the voice of just one person can be heard around the world. A personal injustice suffered can become a cyber cry that soon rallies an army of like minded people. Yes, this is a dangerous thing but it also has great potential. It should also remind us of a very simple truth that is sometimes lost in the whirlwind of modern life: one person really can make a difference. One person communicating an important idea, promoting a worthy cause really can change the world. Ironically the reality of mass communication is that any individual can communicate with the masses!

The individual now has more ability than ever to effect change-no more leaving it to “someone else.” You and I are now the “someone else.” That same “global” concept applies right here in the life of Sunrise Jewish Center. We are a congregation made up of individuals and each of us has the power to make the world something better starting right here at SJC. Yes, we have a rabbi and officers, and a Board of Directors all working to better the shul. But each of you has the unique ability to do the same. Judaism has always depended upon and believed in the power of one. Think of the first Jew, Abraham-one man with a unique and powerful idea that would change the world. Not bad for one guy and he didn’t even have a computer!

If you want to renew your faith in the future of our people, in the future of our congregation, then renew your faith in the power of one and remember that you are the one!

Adult Education

This month we continue with our classes-Building Blocks of Judaism meets at 10am on Sundays.

Our Haftorah class is on Wednesday nights at 7pm. If you would like to sharpen your synagogue skills you are always invited to come in and study with me during the day.

Rabbi’s Office Hours

Monday: 8am-12pm, 4pm-6pm

Wednesday: 8am-12pm, 4pm-7pm

Thursday: 8am-1pm, 5pm-6pm

Sunday: 8am-12pm, 4pm-6pm

He was a member of our country’s Armed Forces in WW II and went from France to North Africa, to Sicily and to Italy itself. A Jewish G.I. Joe, and a Non-Commissioned Officer at that. He serviced 4 plus years of duty dressed in Government issued apparel…and with a steel helmet to boot.

Hy fortunately was never wounded when in combat. Why? Because the enemy’s shrapnel and bullets were always flying higher than his small stature (luckily).

He and his wife, Ethel, came to Florida and he found his niche in our Temple. When you would come to Sabbath services, you would have observed Hy from the Bimah calling out to the Congregation in attendance the verse number and the page number of the Torah Aliyot readings.

As a member of the Synagogue Board, he was in charge of the purchase of the Yahrzeit plaques on the walls in our small and main Sanctuary.

Hy did not have an automobile and had to rely on many good friends for transportation. It seems he had no trouble in ushc matters because he was a “Gutte Neshumah!”

As a staunch member of our Sunrise Jewish Center’s Men’s Club…an important arm of the Temple, he always served as an Officer and as  a Board member with distintion.

At the end of the day, we extend to you a Yasher Koach, a Job Well Done in Your Lifetime, from those of us who still remain.

Captain Kirk of the Spaceship Enterprise of Star Fleet, when he issued an order, he always ended it with “May it Be So” to make sure it was carried out.

We extend this request, knowing that what we anticipate would be carried out as well. We say, “May your Soul in Heaven Forever Rest in Peace, because we also say ‘MAY IT BE SO’”.

Submitted by Dr. Don Glaesner, Past President of SJC Men’s Club

Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride and make it easier. “

–Whitney Houston

When I was in Hebrew School, one of the things my classmates and I would look forward to the most was our “tutoring” time with the USYers. During this time not only did we get to spend time with the older kids learning Hebrew prayers and Jewish songs, we would also get to talk to them about Kadima, USY and our lives in general. The USYers at my Synagogue were not only welcoming, but seemed fully invested in our futures. I used to ask myself: why? Why were these older, mature kids so interested in how my life was going at that time?

When I became a Youth Advisor in Jacksonville during my freshman year at Jacksonville University, this answer was questioned.  As I become older, I see that the impression the USYers have on the Kadimaniks is immeasurable, as well as my impression on the USYers and so on, and so on. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how our actions (the adults of the Synagogue), as well as words, seem to have a large effect on the youth of our Synagogue.

In 2022, I don’t want to return to Sunrise Jewish Center and learn that the building is shut down. I don’t want to attend International Convention only to learn that these kids that are now in our Hebrew School and our Kadima/USY programs have not done anything with their Judaism. One of my fears for this community and our country as a whole is that our children are going to grow up with a dwindling Jewish future.

Why would I say that? The examples their given at our Synagogue from our Rabbi, to the Cantor, to our President all the way down to myself are that they could make Judaism their future….so how could I be so pessimistic? As most of you know, our Synagogue is in some distress. Not only am I speaking financially, but also motivationally. The groups of this Synagogue, be it Kadima, USY or Sisterhood, hold events in this building at least weekly…but week in and week out, I’m advised that there are members of this congregation that didn’t even know some of our groups existed. Is that because they are not made aware through this publication or through flyers posted all over the building? No…I think it’s because we, as a community, are struggling right now. We’re struggling to find jobs, to keep jobs, to keep our families happy, to keep our friends happy and, sometimes, to keep ourselves happy. That struggle is the example that we are now portraying to our kids.

One of my struggles as our Youth Director is to get our kids involved in Synagogue events as well as joining the congregation for Shabbat services. Our kids have told me that they see no support from this temple (as a whole) and they are so exhausted from testing and stress, that they find it hard to come to services on Shabbat. Do we have our own services that they attend sometimes? Yes. However, I think that if the kids see more support and excitement about our youth from the congregation, they would feel overwhelmed and the Synagogue could benefit greatly.

With that said, I implore you to remember our Sunrise Jewish Center Kadima & USY when making your donations this year. Any assistance/support that you show our kids would only mean wonderful things for our future.

Thank You,

Steven Resnick

Youth & Social Media Director

Sisterhood is one of the most viable and strongest arms of Sunrise Jewish Center. President Edith Zutler and the rest of the Sisterhood Board keep the ladies of the entire Jewish community entertained with many fun programs such as off Broadway shows, overnighters, card parties, day trips to the Hard Rock and much, much more. Edith encourages everyone to bring their neighbors and friends to these exciting programs. I want to thank the Sisterhood for their frequent large monetary contributions to the Shul as well as keeping everyone active in the community.

I want to thank those who have remembered their loved ones and sent their very generous Yizkor donations. We are heading in the right direction. Please keep in mind we Yizkor four times a year and our Shul needs your monetary contributions to keep your religious home from closing it’s doors!

I want to thank Audrey Winderman and her committee for working so hard on our beautiful 36th Anniversary Dinner/Dance. The members of the committee put in long hours as well as manual labor so we could enjoy this wonderful milestone.

I want to thank my Executive Board as well as the current Board of Trustees for their support and help during the past two years. I look forward to serving as your President for a third consecutive term. I look forward to working with the new Executive Board members as well as the new Board of Trustees. Our goal as a Board will be to get our members passionate for our shul and become more active by attending services as well as the programs each month. We will be working hard looking for different avenues to help reduce our large deficit so we can survive in the community for another 36 years.

I also need to thank our office staff as well as our custodial staff Flossie, Jeannie, Steven, Joey and Jean Marie for their hard work and always being there when needed. Your passion and dedication for the shul cannot be put into words and I am grateful for that.

On behalf of my family, I want to wish everyone and their families a very Happy Chanukah. See you at our Chanukah party!

Baruch Hashem,

David Berger

We tend to think of Hanukah as a “fun little holiday” for children. Maybe that is a trap we fall into because we have allowed it to become so commercialized as “the Jewish Christmas.” Maybe it si because we have allowed Hanukah to become a bigger deal than it was ever meant to be. To me, it is odd that a Jewish family would make a big deal out of Hanukah but do next to nothing to mark Rosh HaShanah or Pesach. I guess it is a matter of perspective and we have certainly, of late, lost all perspective on Hanukah! When do we focus on the message of the holiday we usually talk about the amazing military victory of the Maccabees, the miracle of the oil, or the lighting of the Hannukiyah.

This year, I would ask you to consider Hanukah in one new way which, I believe, is very true to the spirit of the holiday. Hanukah does not mark the end of a struggle that was only political. It was a spiritual struggle. Antiochus called upon the Jews to make a decision-follow his religion or be punished, worship God or worship the personification of the empire. It seems many Jews were willing to compromise with this decree. There were those who were willing to embrace the Greek God’s in order to make their lives easier. Had they prevailed Judaism would have been doomed and the Jews would have disappeared into the population of a vast empire.

There were, however, other voices. The Maccabees brought together those who refused to abandon their faith, their values, and their identity. I have no doubt that their decision was the hardest thing that they ever had to face. To oppose the emperor meant the risk of death. To fight him meant facing an enemy army of great superiority. Those who joined with the Maccabees did so at great risk and yet it was the only decision that they could make.

I believe this is the most inspiring aspect of Hanukah. We celebrate the bravery of a group of our ancestors who had to face a monumental decision: What does being Jewish mean to me? Is it only a label, one that can be discarded if need be? Is it something so deep that I refuse to live without it? Most of us are lucky enough not to have to face that question ourselves. What is incumbent upon us is to reflect on the courage of those who did face such a decision. When we celebrate Hanukah, we celebrate the strength of their faith and the resolve of their decisions.

The world eats away at our souls in so many ways-it is hard to be a spiritual person when so much of our energy must be directed to our physical needs. It is hard to maintain the uniqueness of one’s Jewish identity when there is so much pressure to “be like everyone else.” Hanukah is the perfect time to think about the decisions you make to be Jewish. Trust me, you do have to make a conscious choice very often. Will you be a Maccabee or will you choose the easier path/ Your life may not depend on the decision, but your soul does.

If you want to give a loved one a great gift for Hanukah, give them the gift of your decision-the miracle of Jewish life. We have to make decisions of all kinds every day. Make Hanukah eight days of making the right decisions.