Shomrei Snow Birds Send Greetings from Florida

Editor’s note: After taking cruises during the past few winters, Natalie and Bruce decided to stay on land this winter and are renting an apartment in Florida.

Bruce and I arrived here at Wynmoor on January fifth and were happy to find a wonderful social community with more activities than a cruise.  Our “Kosher” apartment is a huge, beautiful corner unit, and our bedroom and patio face the 14th hole of the golf course. We buy our Kosher meat at the Kosher Marketplace in Boca Raton.

Baff 1Our apartment is filled with Jewish paintings, menorahs, kiddush cups, Jewish platters, sayings, etc.  Besides these, there are many plaques honoring our owner’s parents, Blossom and Leo Zivin for their outstanding leadership in the Israel Bonds Program, as well as their financial support.

Baff 2In 1950, Leo Zivin, a lawyer in NYC, wanted to help the new State of Israel.  He reached out to Henry Morgenthau Jr, former Secretary of the Treasury, and helped launch the sale of Israel Bonds.  Leo received the Israel Freedom Award in recognition of outstanding support for the economic development of Israel.

We have been attending Saturday Services at Congregation Beth Shalom, which is less than a mile away.  The traditional Conservative, Egalitarian services begin at 9am (we arrive at 10:30am), and end at 12:30 pm, followed by a Kiddush, sponsored by a congregant – not lunch but very social.  There are 40 to 60 attending each week.  Newcomers and snow-birds are welcomed and many from Wynmoor attend.  The atmosphere is congenial and the people are friendly.

They use the Sim Shalom Prayerbook, and most of the melodies are the same, so the service is very familiar.  Many congregants participate and lead the services.  The service is not rushed at all and there is a real spiritual atmosphere in the room.  Many people are honored during the service.  Because the service is not rushed, the Torah service is very moving and the Haftorah is chanted with feeling.  The informal relaxed nature of the service is very pleasing to us.

Unfortunately, Beth Shalom is experiencing a financial crisis and may have to close.  Everyone is giving donations, but that may not be enough to keep the doors open.  There is a meeting on Sunday (Feb. 5th) to see if the Synagogue can be saved.  We will attend and we are hoping for good news. We are very distressed that Beth Shalom may have to close.

We miss all our friends at Shomrei and wish you all a happy winter.

Warm Regards to all,
Natalie and Bruce

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