Pembroke Pines Jewish Center

09/27/2024

Help Lviv Synagogue after devastating attacks
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, our beloved Lviv synagogue—the only functioning shul that survived the Holocaust—finds itself in total disarray, a victim of the horrific war devastating our region. Recent missile attacks shattered our windows and set off a fire that ravaged our kitchen. Hundreds of community members, including local families in need and refugees, completely rely on the shul for Yom Tov meals and many other essential communal services. With the High Holidays just days away, we are unable to bake the traditional honey cakes or prepare meals that symbolize sweetness and new beginnings for our people.
The synagogue is not just a place of prayer; it is a lifeline for so many who have nowhere else to turn in these desperate times. But right now, we are crippled by chaos and destruction, unable to provide the care and support that our community so desperately needs.
We urgently need your help. Your donations are critical to restoring our kitchen and rebuilding our shattered spaces in time for the holidays. Every moment counts. Please, act now. Help us bring comfort and dignity to those who need it most, and ensure that we can celebrate this sacred season together, with the love and strength our community deserves.
Donate today. So many are counting on it

09/26/2024

Lviv Synagogue damaged in bombing. When I worked in Lviv, Ukraine, I met many members of the synagogue and was impressed at all the work they were doing to help the community. Rabbi and Sara Bald have devoted their lives to this community and raised their family there. Please consider helping.

07/14/2024

In 2006 I was at a writer's retreat in Paris. On Bastille Day we took a cruise on the Seine to watch the celebrations and fireworks at the Eifel Tower. Many happy memories. Viva la France.

03/11/2024

I was happy to hear Virginia is eliminating "legacy" admissions in public colleges even though I benefited from the practice. In my sophomore year in college, I was struggling, confused, and unhappy. My mother insisted I transfer to the College of William and Mary. I didn't want to go but she packed my footlocker and my daddy drove be across the state from Roanoke to Williamsburg. Mama was a longtime friend of the Dean and he assured her I'd be accepted. This turns out to be the best decision I never made. Not only did I get an amazing education in both liberal arts and science, my professors taught me to be a critical thinker. They challenged me at every turn. I also fell in love with the 18th century and even worked as a costumed guide for the Williamsburg Restoration. That love of history is the source of my avocation, delivering programs for several Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes about the origins of our government in the 18th and 19th centuries. Maybe I would have been admitted without the "legacy," maybe not. The banning of the practice is a good thing in my opinion because it opens the superior education of W&M and other Virginia colleges to a broader population and helps students learn about and appreciate the diverse cultures of the world. Although the college was still segregate when I attended in the early 60s, there was some diversity with students from Japan, Latvia, and other countries. They became part of my circle of friends. The College also participated in the Experiment in International Living which brough students from abroad for a semester. I was lucky to have a roommate from the Netherlands, who's father had been part of the resistance to Hi**er. He was killed by the N***s and she was raised by one of the Jewish families he protected. Other Holocaust survivors were part of the program and educated us about the realities of that genocide. Thank you William and Mary as you continue to progress and be a source of serious education.
https://tinyurl.com/2y6pwmd4

06/18/2023

12/09/2022

Chanukah 2022 is here. December 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pembroke Pines Jewish Center. Come one, come all. Join us for a fun filled Chanukah sing along led by Trudy Lerner and her talented chorus. Rabbi Schonblum will tell us the story of Chanukah and Commissioner Angelo Castillo will be our guest speaker.

10/06/2022

The High Holidays ended tonight with a wonderful Break the Fast provided by Diamond Kosher Caterers and sponsored in part by Village Medical Center. Rabbi David Schonblum was in rare form with a message which resonated with us about the importance of our struggles and the joy we can experience as we find our way forward. Our special treat this year was Cantor Glen Sherman, the traveling Cantor and former Cantor for Century Pines Jewish Center, one of the parents of our current congregation. His soaring voice, good humor, and enthusiasm kept is going. Steve Reinstein sounded the last blast on the Shofar.

10/02/2022

Flowers this week were sponsored by Carol Grossman, in memory of her husband Alan. Alan was an active member of Village Reform Congregation, our photographer, and general all-round helper. He is greatly missed.
Oneg and Kiddish were sponsored by Dan Rachlin in memory of his mother Geri Rachlin. Geri was a long time member of the congregation and member of the Sisterhood board. She always had a smile and wry sense of humor. We miss her.

09/28/2022

Listen to Rabbi Schonblum's latest inspirational message.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eAtay5_1AByFuJLOZH3Bs6QuNR5GykVu/view

09/28/2022

Our congregation wishes you a healthy, happy, and sweet New Year. Over 60 members joined us for Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner with their friends and family. People are still raving about the wonderful meal provided by Diamond Kosher Caterers. This year we had two people to blow the shofar, providing both solo and combo blasts, which were quite moving. Shari Kalkstein and Steve Reinstein did the honors.