Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on August 2, 2020

How do I follow up a tribute I wrote to honor my late mother in my previous column?

Write something upbeat as she would have wanted.

Among several meaningful sentiments I have received over the last couple of weeks from members of the South Florida Jewish community, including Holocaust survivors, rabbis and communal leaders offering encouraging words of comfort, one wrote me, You should only know from good tidings and happiness. No more sorrow.

My approaching 30-year anniversary with the Jewish Journal gives me something to celebrate at a time of great loss.

During those three decades, highlights have included traveling to Israel, Ukraine and Washington, D.C., where I attended a Jewish American Heritage Month reception at the White House hosted by then-President Barack Obama.

I have also met the likes of Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, actor/singer Chaim Topol of Fiddler on the Roof fame and actor Charlton Heston, just to name a few.

Equally as important has been my connection with our community here at home. Through the years I have developed a very personal and professional relationship with the readers we serve.

From Holocaust survivors and retirees to second- and third-generation Jews raising their families, I feel privileged to live and work among them.

I count Boca Ratons Elaine Grossinger Etess, former owner of the famed Grossingers Catskill Resort Hotel, among area residents with whom I have developed a special bond.

May the future bring you and your dear ones only good health and happiness, she wrote after hearing of my loss.

Speaking of Shoah survivors, Im a huge advocate of their mission to educate the world about the horrors of the Holocaust.

I share a special relationship with Norman Frajman of Boynton Beach, president of the Child Survivors/Hidden Children of the Holocaust Palm Beach County.

You have always been on the front lines in bettering and showing the right way so we can help create a world without prejudice. May the Lord give you strength to continue with your important task, Frajman wrote me.

Story continues

As I look beyond my 30 years with the newspaper, my task is far from over.

Email your thoughts to Editor Alan Goch at algoch@sunsentinel.com.

2020 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at http://www.sun-sentinel.com

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Community connection 30 years in the making | Opinion - Yahoo News

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