2004 - A time of pride for our local Jewish community

It's almost 2005, and I can't believe another year has passed.

Despite a record year of hurricanes, and a presidential election that proved Jewish people have varied political views, South Florida's Jewish community accomplished a lot in 2004.

This fall, returning Jewish college students were taught how to be advocates for Israel if faced with anti-Semitic situations. Teenagers across the area completed numerous mitzvah projects in preparation of their b'nai mitzvot. Screenings of movies that may have influenced us were shown. Synagogue membership grew in new shuls. New Jewish Web sites were created.

And the list doesn't stop there.

Klezmer concerts took place throughout the tri-county area, giving us the opportunity to listen to Jewish-themed and Yiddish-based music. Food packages were delivered to Jewish homebound seniors for the High Holidays. Each package included a videotape of a High Holiday service, so that every Jewish person in South Florida had the opportunity to observe the holidays.

Another local Jewish organization offered High Holidays services via the telephone.

We have a lot for which to be proud.

Several local synagogues received national awards, being recognized for programming, outreach and education. Other synagogues merged, as a way for one congregation to help another congregation from completely closing its doors to its longtime members. A local Orthodox synagogue began offering separate slower-paced Shabbat services for those who, for any reason, would like to observe the Sabbath and follow along with Shabbat services at a slower pace. Another synagogue created a new group for teenagers as a way to keep our younger generation connected to its Jewish roots. And several new Chabads opened in South Florida.

Every year, South Florida's Jewish community comes a long way. And this year was no exception.

For the first time, a secular college - Florida Atlantic University - began offering a Yiddish language class. A kosher Starbucks was opened. More Albertson's also became kosher stores.

South Florida's Jewish community is also blessed each year with our local talent. This year, Jewish artists displayed their work throughout the counties, and cantors joined to present cantorial concerts. In addition, talent from Israel visited our area, including dance troupes that visited our local Jewish synagogues and organizations.

South Florida once again proved to be a mecca for visitors to our Jewish community. Several distinguished speakers, including Israel's former prime minister, Ehud Barak, journeyed to South Florida to speak. Post-graduate students from Israel came to Palm Beach County to serve as educational interns for a local synagogue.

We should also be proud of local Jewish residents this year. One woman, a Miami nurse, left South Florida to spend six months in India with the American Jewish World Service. In India, she worked with homeless, street children in Delhi. And many of our South Florida Jewish neighbors braved their fears of Middle-East violence and visited Israel, showing our Jewish brothers and sisters their solidarity.

Space does not allow me to share even a fraction of what our local Jewish community accomplished in 2004. As Jewish people, we have so many reasons to be both thankful and proud. And looking ahead, I know that we will once again, in 2005, prove that we are strong, persistent and will not give up on the things for which we all believe. I look forward to sharing our accomplishments with all of you the same time next year.

Happy New Year.