MARCHING ON a publication for the alumni and friends of Broward County March of the Living

PASSOVER 5781 MARCH, 2021

HAPPY PASSOVER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE I hope this newsletter finds each of you and your families healthy and at least beginning to be vaccinated. Who would have thought we would be spending another Passover under COVID. Yes, we can, under certain conditions, be together with family and maybe friends, but it is still not the same as before. But, maybe it shouldn't be. We have learned a lot over this past year. We have learned to make accommodations, make do, pivot and invent new ways of doing things and staying in touch all during this past year. Having many activities on Zoom or other online platforms proved to be very successful and even brought more and new individuals to programs. It is indeed something to think about going forward. In an effort to keep the March of the Living name in the community we continue to offer our Speaker Series, together with the Southern Region. We have heard from survivors with very different stories as well as from a survivor and her daughter about growing up with a survivor parent. We've partnered with Facing History and Ourselves to bring you Rena Finder, one of the last surviving Schindler's List Jews. After learning the 2021 March of the Living would not be a viable option, we once again had to pivot. Together with the Southern Region, we are offering a 3 day Virtual March of the Living Symposium, April 6 - 8, 2021. These three days will find our participants, with the permission of the public schools and private schools involved, online with Holocaust educators, here and abroad, learning much the same material provided in our previous educational sessions. We have the ability to utilize virtual learning platforms to visit places, hear from experts and participate in interactive experiences. We are also planning, travel and safety permitting, a Poland experience for December, 2021 for those who participate in our Symposium as well as those 2020 individuals who took the educational program which ended just as the March was cancelled. Be sure to look at the materials below from the International March of the Living. There are several programs of note. The Global Plaque Project. We are once again asking for your participation in the plaque project where you can see your plaque displayed as it would have been had you placed it on the tracks in Birkenau. Invite your family and friends to join you. Last year over 18,000 plaques were displayed. Let's try to have as many or more this year. Click here to view a special video about the plaques) This year's March is dedicated to the Global Medical Community for all they have done to keep us healthy, all the while risking their lives. . There will be an Erev Yom HaShoah program on Wednesday, April 7, 2021at 7:00 PM - Medicine and Morality: Lessons from the Holocaust and COVID. The program will feature survivors whose lives were saved by Polish doctors as well as underground Jewish doctors. Dr. Anthony Fauci will also be given a special award. Note to our medical professionals: This session is available for continuing medical education credits (1.5) at no cost and will be on demand for 24 months. (See more info below) That will be followed at 10 AM on Thursday, April 8, 2021 with a Virtual March of the Living and you will be absolutely amazed at how it is being done (I saw a preview and it is incredible). The 20 minute piece will be followed with a short ceremony where Rabbi Lau will deliver his message, just as he has done for every March since 1988. These events should be on your calendar. (See the flyer below for more information) Information on all programs can be found here And save the date for a Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration featuring survivors who helped create the State of Israel - Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 7:30 pm as well as a program at 12 Noon, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Broward County, featuring the story of Beta Israel, the story of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. (See info below) This newsletter contains many life cycle events - showing that life goes on despite the pandemic. True, celebrations may have been different from what was planned, but celebrations continued, nevertheless. Please share your simchas and not so happy news with us as well. More Alumni have sent us news to "catch us up" on what they've been doing. Send me your update to be included in future issues of our Alumni Newsletter. We love pictures too. We have received numerous comments about how our Alumni love to catch up with their March friends and others they know. We are still looking for mailing addresses so we can send your a birthday card at the appropriate time. Most importantly, stay in touch. May this Passover, the Festival of Freedom, see us begin to regain the freedom which will bring us back to our families, friends and the ability to join new and rejoin activities. Chag sameach v'Kasher Rochelle rbaltuch@jewishbroward.org

WEDDINGS We're saving this space for all the upcoming weddings. Don't forget to let us know! ENGAGEMENTS Ariel Birchfield (14) on her engagement to Aaron Evans. Aaron is a full time artist; retired professional NFL football player with the Philadelphia Eagles (and UCF). See Ariel's update below. Eliana Feldsberg (08) on her engagement to Elan Wechsler. Shir Ibgui (13) on her engagement to Elliot Achkandazi. Elliot is an Account Executive for a financial tech company in Tel Aviv called eToro, a social trading platform. See Shir's update below. Ariel Gottlieb (10) on her engagement to Anthony Capezza. He works in security and Ariel is a special needs teacher in Broward County. Danielle Motola (13) on her engagement to Alan Klasfeld. Alan is an attorney at the Barthet Firm in downtown Miami and Daniella is a forensic accountant at Ehrlich, Neal, Smith & Stohlman, PA. Mitchell Factor (17) on his engagement to Jennifer Corcelle. Jennifer is a teacher in a day care/school and Mitchell is in the Army, stationed in Ft Campbell, waiting to get married and move to Ft Gorden in Georgia by the end of the year. Chaim Seligman (06,19 Staff) on his engagement to Dana Grob. Dana is studying at Hebrew University to receive a Masters in Linguistics with a focus on computational linguistics and Chaim is an attorney at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Tel Aviv in the international corporate law sector. BNEI MITZVAHS Ilana Cohen (96) on her daughter, Ella, becoming a Bat Mitzvah Sara Schuval Bienenfeld (02) and husband Marc on their daughter, Abby, becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Yoni Sperber (96) and wife Daniella on their son, Zachary Solomon, becoming a Bar Mitzvah Jennifer Berger Levine (92) and husband Craig on their son, Max, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. BIRTHS Littal Kravetz Schwarzbaum (08) and husband, Meir on the May 4, 2020 birth of a son, Jordan Elliot, 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 inches. He was welcomed by his sister and two brothers. Josh Brandfon (00) and wife Alyssa on the December 18, 2020 birth of a daughter, Ziva Hanah, 7 lbs 8 oz and 20 1/2 inches. She joins big brother Asher and "big sister" Zoey (the cat) Yael Reichenberg Shachen (08) and husband Yuval on the December, 2020 birth of a daughter, Nili weighing 5 lbs 1 oz and 18 inches Karen Rauscher (02 Staff, 04 Staff) on the birth of a grandson, Wyatt. Mazel tov to aunts Jennifer Rauscher Gitlan (00) and Rachel Rauscher Cox (04). Brittany Fayne Sunshine (08) and husband, Ben on the January 15, 2021 birth of a daughter, Ava Florence, 7 lb 4 oz. Mazel tov to grandmother Tammy Fayne (06 Staff,08 Staff,15 Staff,19 Staff) and Uncle Joshua Fayne (15) Alex Schlinsky (10) and wife Shira on the February 9, 2021 birth of a son, Elie Aryeh, 7 lbs 14 oz. Elie is named after Shira's grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. Mazel tov to Uncles Kyle Schlinsky (98) and Dane Schlinsky (02) Nick Biro (96) and Nataliya Rovenskaya on the February 10, 2021 birth of a daughter, Milena Rovensky Biro, 7 lbs. Dana Apteker Zeig (06) and husband, Justin (06) whom she met on the March, on the February 20, 2021 birth of a daughter, Noa Lili, 6lbs 15 oz and 18 1/2 inches. Noa Lili is named for her Holocaust survivor great-grandmother, Lili Binstock z'l who travelled with us on the March (00). Noa joins big sister Eden and big brother, Samuel. Michele Sadkin Lippman (00) and husband, Marc on the February 18, 2021 birth of a daughter, Blake Olivia, 7 lb 12 oz and 21 inches. HONORS, ACHIEVEMENTS, NEW JOBS Jessica Garmizo (14) on receiving her Masters in Social Work from UCF Max Feinstein (10) on being admitted to the Massachusetts Bar. He has accepted a position at Ernst and Young in the Boston office as an attorney on the Mergers and Acquisitions team. Rebecca Suissa (15) on being accepted to Nova Southeastern University Dental School, Class of 2025. Seth Schermer (98) has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Development Office at both the LGBTQ Victory Fund the LGBTQ Victory Institute. Shani Rapapport (15) has become the Research Editor of the Florida Law Review and will be working at the Broward County Attorney's office as a summer clerk. Alex Cott (14) has a new position as Department Coordinator, Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie's in New York. Darren Cohn (12) earned his Masters of Fine Arts from USC School of Cinematic Arts. His thesis film, "Time Again" will be appearing in upcoming film festivals. See link below to watch the trailer. Barbara Goldberg (17A) on being named an Honoree for South Florida Business and Wealth's Prestigious Women Awards. Marc Shapiro (19) has been accepted into the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Pam Hirsh (12) has matched for a pychology intership on her way to her doctorate in school psychology. She and fiance Lawrence will be moving to Westcheter County, NY. Russ Simon (94) has become the Fish Sommelier at Ornos Estiatorio (a Michael Mina restaurant) in Aventura, Fl. CONOLENCES Ava Phillips (96 Staff) on the untimely passing of her husband, Dr. Jim Phillips (92 Staff). Karen Fine (00 Staff,02 Staff,10 Staff,12 Staff ) on the passing of her brother, Bruce Fine. Condolences to niece Lauren Gostel Groffman (00) and nephew Adam Gostel (02) Ronni Simon (94 Staff,96 Staff,98 Staff,00 Staff,02 Staff,06 Staff,08 Staff, 13 Staff and 05A) on the untimely passing of her husband, Arnie (05A). Condolences to children, Amy Gross, Russ Simon (94), Michael Simon (96) and Ari Simon (00). Julia Goetz (16), Brian Goetz (16), and Rebecca Goetz (17) on the passing of their grandfather, Michael Goetz. Condolences also to daughter in law, Lisa Goetz (17A) Patricia Jaegerman (16 Staff,17 Staff,18 Staff,19 Staff) on the passing of her mother Fritzi (Finy) Jaegerman. Condolences to grandchildren Deborah Ghelman (20), Eitan Ghelman (16) and Sharon Ghelman (13, 16 Staff) Dr. Howard Braver (19 Staff) and Dr. Beth Braver (19 Staff) on the passing of his father, William Braver. Condolences to grandson, Harrison Braver (19) To the family of Steven Cohen who was one of the cameramen on several March of the Living trips. Matt Rothstein (00) on the passing of both his grandmother and grandfather just days apart. Michelle (98 Staff,00 Staff,02 Staff,06 Staff,10 Staff) and Rabbi Randy Konigsburg (00 Staff,06 Staff) on the passing of her mother, Natalie Levine. Condolences to grandchildren Ashira, Eitan and Rabbi Hillel Konigsburg (06) Ellie Naider (20) on the passing of her grandmother, Arline Hirsch Klein. Larry Silverstein (94) on the passing of his grandmother, Vivian Silverstein. He and his family were privileged to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Marni Orlove (92) has moved back home to South Florida after spending many years in Boston. Josh Mazin (94) and wife Janis live in Allentown, Pennsylvania with their 3 children, Max, 16; Piper, 5 and Maverick, 2,. Janis is a 3rd grade teacher and Josh, together with a partner, started his own law firm 2 years ago. Ilana Cohen (96) is living in Bethesda, Maryland where she works for the US Department of Homeland Security Center - Medicare and Medicard Innovation. She is the Opioid Lead for the Center and also works on an integrated care for kids behavioral and physical care model across the country Larissa Widry Fuller (96) is an Assistant Principal in Seattle, Washington and has 2 beautiful children. Shana Coplowitz Okolica (96) lives in Monsey, New York with her husband, Mordechai, and their 5 beautiful children, a 10 year old daughter and 4 sons, ages 7, 6, 4, 3. Shana is a radiation oncologist at Montefiore/St Luke's, a satellite hospital of the Montefiore Heath System located in Cornwall, New York. Shelly Zim Cohen (98) is living in Baltimore with her husband and children. She teaches fitness classes at the local JCC and is busy planning her 2nd son's Bar Mitzvah celebration. Amy Effman (98) was published in the Florida Family Law Commentator. The article, "The Potential Benefits of Family Lawyer Involvement on the Mind of an Addict", can be found on page 51 of the Journal - Click Here Elana Epstein Gottfried (98) and husband Yossi live in Southfield, Michigan with their amazing four daughters. Elana works full time in private practice as well as at Beaumont Hospital (one of the largest hospital systems in Metro Detroit) in their Women's Urology and Pelvic Health Clinic. She is a certified sex therapist who specializes in women's sexual health. Alan Birstock (06) has lived in Denver, Colorado for the past 3 years and is now living in Greely, Colorado where he works for VMware, a large tech firm from California. Shir Ibgui (13) does partnerships for a startup tech consulting company in Tel Aviv called Syte (Visual AI solutions for online retailers). Arielle Barr (14) moved to Chicago a little over a year ago after completing her Masters at NYU in New York. She works at EY as a people advisory services consultant. Ariel Birchfield (14) graduated from UCF and is currently at Florida Southern College pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She spent a good portion of 2019 living in Jerusalem, working at Herzog Hospital as a physiotherapy aide to prepare for school.

JARED FIRESTONE (08) Can't wait for the Winter Olympics!! From Yediot American: Last week, the North America International Bobsled & Skeleton Cup was held in Utah and was attended by ten other athletes from Israel, the United States, Canada and Ireland, including John Dali, who twice won a gold medal at the U.S. Winter Olympics. Athlete Jared Firestone (Hollywood, Florida), known among his competitors as the "Jewish plane," brought Israeli pride when he won a bronze medal. Jared Firestone swallowed the mile-long track in a time of 49.66 seconds, at a speed of 81.5 miles per hour. Jared is one of the players of the Israeli team that was formed in 2002, and even achieved achievements in 2018 at the South Korean Olympics.  At the end of the competition he said: "Seeing the Israeli flag represented alongside these great countries, was for me, a dream come true. I train as hard as I can, to win more medals for Israel, and one day win gold and hear the anthem 'Hatikva'., Playing aloud. '  You can follow him on the website: www.JewishJet.com See what the Sun-Sentinal had to say. Click Here

NEVER MEANS NEVER JOIN IN ADDING YOUR PLAQUE OF REMBRANCE check out the video here (click on the picture to go to the site to add your plaque)

WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO FOR MORE INFORMATION The active participation of the medical community – those who took an oath to “first, do no harm,” – in the labeling, persecution, and mass murder of millions of those deemed unfit, represents one of the darkest periods not only in the history of medicine, but in the history of humankind. Yet, even in the darkest times, one can always find the light. Stories of physicians who remained dedicated to healing and saving lives prove that the power and privilege of medicine can be an inspiration to us all. The past year has found our society faced with unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. The lessons of the Holocaust have informed our current situation as we struggle to meet this challenge in the most ethical manner possible. This Holocaust Remembrance Day, we look to medicine and morality as a way to reflect on the past and protect the future, while appreciating the miraculous work of our healthcare professionals during this global pandemic. “Medicine and Morality: Lessons from the Holocaust and COVID-19” will include internationally known scholars discussing the nexus between medicine, ethics, and the Holocaust and how lessons learned from the past have been incorporated into the handling of the current pandemic. The program will also include testimony from Holocaust survivors and stories of healthcare professionals whose lives have been shaped by the Holocaust. Moral Courage in Medicine Award to Dr. Anthony Fauci We are proud to announce the presentation of the Moral Courage in Medicine Award to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Advisor to US President Biden. Dr. Fauci, who exemplifies our themes of morality and medicine in times of crisis, will be offering his acceptance remarks as part of our program.

REMEMBER YOUR MARCH? JOIN US FOR THE 2021 3D DIGITAL MARCH APRIL 8, 2021 @ 10:00 ET AT MOTL.ORG

2 YOM HA'ATZMAUT (ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY) PROGRAMS

The program will feature: Intimate conversations with Holocaust survivors and their contributions to the State of Israel Greetings from March of the Living alumni from over 25 countries around the world Songs and celebrations with the National Israel Army (IDF) Choir, featuring Chief Cantor Shai Abramson Special commemorative tree planting with March of the Living representatives from around the globe Panoramic views of Israel’s natural beauty REGISTER HERE

and at 12 Noon - presented by the Jewish Federation of Broward County

Celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut – Israel’s 73 A personal story of Aliyah from Ethiopia to Israel   Thursday, April 15, 2021 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm A special homeland with a special story: Beta Israel ביתא ישראל‎ ቤተ እስራኤል The story of Ethiopian Jews in Israel Yasu Mola will be sharing his personal story of immigration-Aliyah from Ethiopia to Israel. All of Israel Are Responsible for One Another - Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh –  כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה The Talmud, Shevuot 39 a REGISTER HERE

LOOKING FOR We are updating our database and have no contact information for the following individuals. (this is just a portion of the list) If you have the information, please send it my way. If you know of individuals who have not been getting our Newsletters, either send me their info or have them contact me at rbaltuch@jewishbroward.org Thanks in advance  Alexandra Boyne, Sophie Hyman, Alexander Hochman, Ido Amit, Danielle Wallach, Jonathan Fields, Dana Kalman, Rachael Newell, Ronnie Posner, Mollie Halberstam, Jillian Samowitz, Allison Samowitz, Raquel Szeinfeld Goldsmith, Nicole Ray-Leon, Alex Weiss, Joseph Dray, Allison Reiser, Francesa Vogel, Isaac Zinguer Gamerberg, Jonathan Greenberg, Taylor Howell, Lauren Edelstein, Michael Greenberg, Brent Stone, Matthew Barnett, Nicole Bakshi, Ariel Feldman, Eric Fishman, Lauren Geller, Sarah Selcer, Matthew Spiewak, Shaul Menashe, Fred Klein, Mollie Birer.  MORE TO COME IN NEXT NEWSLETTER

INTERESTING READS Archeologist makes extraordinary discoveries at Warsaw's vast cemetery Click here How Ida Chagall Smuggled Her Father's work out of Europe Click here Pfizer CEO shares his Family's Holocaust story Click here Last Survivor of Korczak Orphanage Dies in Israel Click here Pope Francis Pays Surprise Visit to Holocaust Survivor Click here In Holland, Torah Scroll Returns to Jewish Hands After 80 Years Click here Amazing Detective Work Reunites Best Friends Click here A Jewish Librarian Spied on New York Nazis Click here Time and Again Trailer - Darren Cohn's Thesis Film Click here

Ella Longman, daughter of Ilana Cohen (96)

Abby, daughter of Marc and Sara Schuval Bienenfeld (02)

Zachary, son of Daniella and Yoni Sperber (96)

Max, son of Craig and Jennifer Berger Levine (92)

Jordan Elliot, son of Meir and Littal Kravetz Schwarzbaum (08)

Ziva Hanah, daughter of Alyssa and Joshua Brandfon (00)

Nili, daughter of Yuval and Yael Reichenberg Shachen (08)

Ava Florence, daughter of Ben and Brittany Fayne Sunshine (08 )

Milena Rovensky, daughter of Nataliya and Nick Biro (96)

Elie Aryeh, son of Shira and Alex Schlinsky (10)

Noa Lili, daughter of Justin (06) and Dana Aptekar Zeig (06)

Blake Olivia, daughter of Marc and Michelle Sadkin Lippman (00) 

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A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THOSE ALUMNI WHO HAVE STAYED IN TOUCH WITH, AND PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND COMFORT TO OUR SURVIVORS DURING THIS ENTIRE YEAR.

REMEMBER JOIN OUR MARCH OF THE LIVING - BROWARD ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE AND CHECK OUT THE INTERNATIONAL MARCH OF THE LIVING FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPCOMING PROGRAMS

PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH STAY HEALTHY