Meeting Minutes: November 20, 2003

Minutes of November 20, 2003 meeting, Temple Anshei Shalom, Delray Beach

Present: Scott Benarde, Gert Berman, Sylvia Eichenbaum, Heidi Estrin, Dorothy Gleich, Etta Gold, Sandy Hirschhorn, Sue Kirshner, Mina Lev-Drewes, Charles Meyers, Art Quinn, Arlene Robert, Rabbi Tobias Rothenberg, Sara Schandelson, Marshall Schneider, Florence Shafran, Walter Spielman, Marilyn Tofated, Sheila Weinstein, Jean Wiener, Marci Wiseman, Lee Wixman

Heidi Estrin called the meeting to order at 12:28pm and thanked Rabbi Rothenberg and Walter Spielman for hosting the meeting.

Heidi announced that the meeting dates for March and May have been changed to: Monday, March 15 at Temple Emanu-El in Palm Beach and Monday, May 17 at the University of Miami. Members were reminded to pay their annual dues to the chapter. The book, Rachel Calof's Story: Jewish Homesteader on the Northern Plains by Rachel Calof, was selected by members present for the book discussion in March. Discounted copies can be obtained on Amazon.com. Members should read this book before the March meeting, and be prepared to engage in a book discussion at that time. Heidi passed around copies of articles regarding the chapter's 30th anniversary published in the Jewish Journal and the Sun-Sentinel's Shalom Today, as well as an article about the opening of the Merry L. Plough library at the Sandler Center of the Boca JCC.

Mina Lev of the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami Beach was introduced. Mina announced that Governor Bush recently passed a law declaring January to be Florida Jewish History Month beginning in January 2004. Marcie Weisman added that the month of January is not particularly good timing since public schools are preparing students for FCAT exams, so we should focus on promoting this event in Jewish settings before we move on to promoting it to public schools. A curriculum packet on Florida Jewish History Month is available; please call 305-672-5044 ext. 19 or e-mail education @ jewishmuseum.com to get a copy. Mina answered questions about the museum and its programs.

Scott Benarde, author of Stars of David: Rock 'n' Roll's Jewish Stories, was introduced and spoke about the research he conducted to complete the book. The book highlights contributions by Jewish musicians to rock and roll music since the 1950s. Scott also played examples of music by Jewish rock musicians. The book can be ordered from University Press of New England at www.upne.com.

Heidi asked if any members had news to report about their libraries. Temple Sinai of Delray invited us to their book sale on December 10-11, 9:30am-3pm.

Heidi announced that the All-of-A-Kind Family books can be ordered as audiobooks from Listen & Live Audio Inc. at www.listenandlive.com. She also passed on information from Arcadia Publishing about their regional/local interest books on Jewish communities; see www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Walter Spielman offered tours of the Temple Anshei Shalom library. The meeting adjourned at 1:50pm.