March of the Living Alumni Newsletter - Graduation 2020

MARCHING ON

a publication for the alumni and friends of

Broward County

March of the Living

SPRING/SUMMER 5780 GRADUATION 2020

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

ALL OUR GRADUATES

AND THEIR

FAMILIES

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

It has been a long time since our last newsletter and I hope this finds you and your families well. Just as we were getting ready for our Purim/Passover issue, our lives were put on hold as we began to try to understand this new virus which was taking over the world. We went remote and began to learn new technology and how to work from home. Little did we think when we left our offices on March 16th that we would still not be back to "normal." COVID19 has taken our lives into a very different path.

This pandemic has taken its toll on all facets of our lives and forced the cancellation of the 2020 March of the Living. We, along with our 2020 teens and their parents are extremely disappointed in not being able to have the opportunity to participate. The International March of the Living provided us all, alumni included, with the opportunity of creating our "paddles" - plaques, remembering family members or expressing our thoughts, which would have normally been placed somewhere in Birkenau on the day of the March. These plaques were placed virtually and many thousands of them were created.

Everyone was brought together for a Zoom Erev Yom HaShoa program which was very well attended. While not the same as being together in person, we were still able to honor our survivors and remember those who perished. The International March of the Living held a very moving ceremony on Yom HaShoah which was also well attended.

While we are all adjusting to our new normal, life goes on. We are proud of our graduates and their accomplishments. Life goes on as we welcome new babies and continue life cycle events. If there is a "good thing" to come out of all this, it is that these times have enabled more of us to share in these life cycle events when perhaps we would not have been able because of distance.

These times have also brought home the teachings of the March where we learn that we must stand up to anti-semitism, discrimination, racism and bigotry. We need to work individually and collectively to condemn racism and be stronger than hate. We learn from our Torah - Tzedek, tzedek tirdof - Justice, justice you must pursue. Remember, we each can make a difference. You'll find information below on an ADL series which will focus on complex issues confronting families today. Topics will include confronting hate and extremism in online gaming; bullying bias and hate symbols in schools and more.

Special thank you to those Alumni and families who have stepped up and helped in our campaign to sustain the March to enable everyone who is qualified to participate, to be able to go. One way everyone can help is to run a Facebook birthday fundraiser. Let me know if you would like to help in any number of ways.

We are also updating our records, so if you know someone who is not getting our Alumni newsletters, let me know. We are also looking for current mailing addresses so that we can let you know when a reunion is coming your way and we'd like to send you a little something as well. Please send them to me at [email protected]

If you haven't liked our March of the Living - Broward Alumni Facebook page, please do so.

Remember to stay in touch, send us news, like our Facebook page, join us at the Reunions and most importantly, stay well.

Rochelle

[email protected]

SILVER KNIGHT

Mazel tov to our 2020 Silver Knight

winners, honorable mentions and nominees

WINNER - Ronnie Shashoua - Mathematics

HONORABLE MENTION - Jordan Eichenholz - Mathematics

HONORABLE MENTION - Joshua Rosenthal - Athletics

NOMINEES -

Orli Algranatti - Athletics

Samantha Chussid - Social Science

Amanda Ellman - Social Science

Rotem Miara - Drama

Ellie Naider - Music and Dance

Baille Paul - Art

MAZEL TOV TO

JARED GOULD

US Presidential Scholar Semi Finalist

WEDDINGS

Rabbi Tzvi Nightingale (06) and wife Karen on the marriage of their daughter, Tzippy to Yehuda Sahar. The wedding took place under COVID guidelines and many, many individuals were able to participate via Facebook Live.

ENGAGEMENTS

Bryan Appel (08) on his engagement to Erica Karpf.

Pam Hirsh (12 ) on her engagement to Lawrence Cohen. Pam is in the school psychology doctoral program at NSU and Lawrence is a business owner/entrepreneur.

Hannah Samson (13) and Ryan Hager (13) on their engagement. Another March couple! They met at our first class for the 2013 March of the Living during our first ice breaker - a game of dreidel - it was Chanukah. They were in the same dreidel group and have been together ever since.. Hannah is a doctoral candidate in Psychology and Neuropsychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and Ryan is a wealth manager at JP Morgan

BAT MITZVAH

Lauren Bloom Berley (98) and husband Joel on their daughter Kira becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Mazel tov to Aunt Allison Bloom Wohlberg (04) and Uncle Rabbi Elazar Bloom (94)

Elana Weissberg Ostroff (90) and husband Ken on their son David becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Mazel tov to grandparents Tony and Rabbi Dr Leon Weissberg (90+) and Aunt Shari Weissberg Packer (92).

Brian Koch (96) and wife Jill on their daughter Brooke becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

BIRTHS

Elena Klasner Burton (06) and husband Marc on the birth of a son, Samuel Alexander, born March 30, 2020 at 5 lbs 11 oz and 19 inches long. Mazel tov also to grandparents Bruce (94, 06, 08) and Shari Klasner and Uncle Ethan Klasner (08)

Rabbi Hillel Kongisburg (06) and wife Sarah on the birth of a daughter, Ilana Tamar on May 20, 2020 at 8 lbs 1 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. Mazel tov also to grandparents MIchelle (00,02,06,10) and Rabbi Randall Konigsburg (06).

Mathias Salamon (96) and wife Sarah on the birth of twins - Deana and Emmet on May 18, 2020. Mazel tov also to grandparents Diane (98) and Robert (98,00) Salamon and Aunt Samara Salamon Abrams (92)

Jan Yoepp Bassik (00) and husband Renen on the birth of a son, Jonah Robert, on May 3, 2020 at 7 lbs 13 oz and 19.5 inches long.

GRADUATIONS, HONORS, ACHIEVEMENTS

AND NEW JOBS

Bryan Appel (08) and Andrew Teblum on their graduation from the Jewish Federation of Broward County Horizons Leadership program and to Josh Orlan (10) on continuing on as Co-Chair of the group.

Barbara Wagner Goldberg (Adult 17) was recognized as the 2020 Business Woman of the Year by the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

Mathew Levine (00) is the medical honoree for the Atlanta Arthritis Foundation's Walk for a Cure

Alexa Bernstein (14) started a new job at Emory St Joseph's Hospital as an Emergency Department RN.

Perla Sananas (19) on receiving the Mark Sherman Staff of the Year Award from the David Posnack JCC

Tamar Palgon Weinberg (98) has launched her perfume brand, TAMAR, a unisex artisanal wellness personal fragrance brand.

Taylor Fistel (16) graduated Duke University with a BS in biology with a concentration in neurobiology and minors in chemistry and music. She will be working for 2 years at a state cardiovascular hospital in Raleigh, NC doing clinical trials with cardio vascular devices. Then off to medical school.

Rachel Levy (16) graduated UF Cum Laude with a BS in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. She will be taking a gap year before beginning GW Medical School.

Eitan Ghelman (16) graduated Georgia Tech as an Aerospace Engineer and will be working for Accenture in Chicago beginning this Fall.

Ron Neuman (14) has been named Online Media Editor of the UM Law Review for 2020 - 2021.

Chad Kramer (13) wrote: "After graduating Tufts University in 2017, I traveled around Southeast Asia before spending that summer at Mayanot Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Over the past three years I have been a Data Analyst at Liberty Mutual in Boston, which I will be leaving as I transition to law school in Miami this summer. I am also currently the President of the Jewish National Fund’s New England JNFuture (young professionals) chapter, which has been a very fulfilling experience. March of the Living was an amazing, life-changing experience for me in 2013 that instilled a love of Judaism and Israel."

Amber Czinn (15) graduated University of Maryland with a degree in Public Health. She will be taking a gap year and then going on to medical school.

Liel Azoolin (10) graduated University of Pennsylvania Law School and will be moving to New York, working in the Real Estate Department of Skadden Arps.

Michael Steiner (15) graduated Rutgers University and will be attending Veterinary School in St Kitts.

Danit Azoolin (14) graduated GW School or Nursing and is working at GW Hospital on the neurology/trauma unit.

Max Feinstein (10) graduated Boston Univ Law School with a joint JD and LLM in taxation. After taking the Massachussetts Bar in September, beginning in January 2021, he will be working for Ernst and Young in Boston on their mergers and acquisitions team.

Hani Abramson (16) has graduated from McGill University and will be moving to Krakow, Poland. (see more info below)

CONDOLENCES TO

Bryan Appel (08) on the passing of his grandmother, Gloria Appel

Alex Cieri (13) on the passing of her mother, Amy Cieri

Ian Barrocas (92) on the untimely passing of his sister, Stacey Barrocas

To the family of Sarah Weissman (10) on her untimely passing.

A riana Genet (12) and Sayra Genet (10) on the passing of their grandmother, Evelyn Genet. Condolences also to daughter in law, Dorit Genet (00)

Margolis Family - Michael (98,02,04), Linda (04), Rabbi Ari (98), Brian (02) and Lori Margolis Barbag (00) on the passing of Michael's father, Sherm Margolis.

Sue Klau (92 ) on the passing of her husband, Dr Irwin Klau.

Koby Berkson (98) and Meron Berkson (04) on the passing of their grandmother, Holocaust survivor, Bea Rubenfeld.

Nikki Tashof (18) and Josh Tashof (17) on the untimely passing of their mother, Robin Tashof

Sophie Schott (17) on the sudden and untimely passing of her mother, Ronna Schott

Amber Czinn (15) on the passing of her grandmother, Auschwitz survivor, Doris Czinn.

Rabbi Howard Needleman (19 ) on the passing of his father, Hy Needleman. Condolences also to grandson, Noah Needleman (19)

Barry Bogin (14+) on the sudden, untimely passing of his wife, Linda Bogin.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

ALI SHRAGO-SPECHLER (06)

"receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Germany for Reclaiming Remembrance, Ritual and Place through Participatory Action

The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board are pleased to announce that Ali Shrago-Spechler of Pratt Institute has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Germany in Installation Art. Shrago-Spechler will research at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Hochscule fur Gestaltung as part of a project to research the German Landscapes of Memory and IErinnerungskultur ("Rembrance Culture"), using the political and theatrical Thinpiele movement (1933-1939) and its former venues as the framework for her investigation. This research will culminate in a site-specific performance series produced in collaboration with German archivists, artists and academics and a Period Room installation that will survey the commodification and transformation of cultural objects and places in Karlsruhe; specifically in relation to the modes of remembrance found within American and Jewish-American cultures and histories."

In sharing the news, Ali writes: "I am very excited and have to say the March of the Living had a very big impact on my life and practice. I still have my resource book Study Guide). Our experiences in so many places of memory in both Poland and Israel and the way that March of the Living ties the history of the Holocaust with Israel is something that I've been unpacking through my work ever since."

HANI ABRAMSON (16)

She tell us, " After living in Krakow for three months last year, interning at the Galicia Jewish Museum , I was inspired by my colleagues and other people that I had met who were committed to telling Jewish histories and fostering Jewish communities. My lack of Polish-language skills was a barrier to researching Polish-Jewish history or doing more meaningful work within the Polish context. So, I am being funded by the Kościuszko Foundation to study intensive Polish at the Jagiellonian University for an academic year. Then, I'll be off to Vienna to pursue my master's and hopefully put my Polish skills to work!"

LORI ARBEL (98)

Lori is a mixed media artist and art teacher whose works explore the relationship between the aesthetic and meditative value of an image. Influenced by thought patterns and everyday life, her series celebrate creation while clearing blockages.

She lives with her family in Parkland where her creativity continues in her home-based studio. Art used as a tool for self-expression can create positive shifts for one’s self that can ripple out into society. She is an advocate for art as a tool for positive mental health.

Graduating with a BFA in photography & BS/MS degree in Art Education, Lori has always had a passion & connection for learning & teaching. She's enjoyed working with young adults/adults in NYC & Broward County for over 17 years. Her classes & workshops offer a positive & energetic perspective while bringing awareness of art into their daily lives.

This past January she had her first solo show "Thought Patterns" which explored the inner psyche including the monotonous tasks of everyday life, including connections to the Holocaust and other significant events.

As a result of her March of the Living experience, Lori has created "Marks for Their Lives Collaborative Art Project" in memory of the 1.5 million children who lost their lives in the Holocaust. "I invite you to make a mark for each year of your life, to celebrate your existence, your uniqueness, and to honor the 1.5 million children whose lives were taken in the Holocaust. We all have the child within us, the one that wants to be recognized and not forgotten.

If you are 12, 12 marks; 40,40 marks. You may chose to do that number over and over, repeatedly. As you make each mark reflect on your life year by year:-) How are going to make a mark on the world?

At the bottom or back of your picture, please put (your name/anonymous, your age, and total lines) Then mail your small sketch or project any size or material to me (contact me at [email protected]).. Together we can make a difference. Celebrate our similarities and differences. Together we can make a difference.

Celebrate our similarities and differences. Learn more #marksfortheirlives

Here are some links - see the projects that have been sent

https://www.loriarbel.com/marks-for-their-lives

https://www.facebook.com/loriarbel/posts/10157717937371208

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/marksfortheirlives/

Lori meeting with survivors, Adele Besserman and Julius Eisenstein so they can participate in the Marks for Their Lives project.

MOL ALUMNI PICTURES

Ilana Tamar, daughter of Sarah and Rabbi Hillel Konigsburg ( )

Samuel Alexander, son of Marc and Elena Klasner Burton ( )

New born twins Deana and Emmet, along with older sibs Hayden and Jordan, children of Sarah and Mathias Salamon (96)

Jonah Robert, son of Renen and Jan Yoepp Bassik (00)

David Ostroff, son of Ken and Elana Weissberg Ostroff (90)

Elana Weissberg Ostroff and David

Kira Berley, daughter of Joel and Lauren Bloom Berley (98)

The Jewish Federation of Broward County and March of Living are excited to partner with ADL Florida on a new family webinar series. The virtual series will focus on complex topics confronting families today and empower them with knowledge and tools to protect and raise global citizens. With expert facilitators in their respective fields, we will help navigate societal issues and current events impacting families. Click here for more information, topics and dates

The first webinar will take place in August and will discuss Confronting Hate and Extremism in Online Gaming and Social Media: What families don’t know will hurt them, an internet guide for parents. The series is offering a robust calendar of topics for the remainder of 2020. For more information about the webinar please contact Jessica Schapiro at [email protected] .

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