Award-winning historian to speak at Temple Emanu-El; new music workshop for Latino youth

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·5 min read
3
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

45 reasons to celebrate

The Safe Children Coalition recently celebrated helping 45 children find homes in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties in November – a single-month record for SCC. The organization facilitated 28 adoptions in Manatee, 13 in Sarasota, and four in DeSoto. “Every adoption offers a reason to celebrate and changes the lives of both the children and the parents who get to experience the joy of adding a child, or children, to their families," SCC president Brena Slater said. For families interested in adopting, the next training class begins Jan. 17. Call 941-721-7670, ext. 247, or visit sccfl.org/adopt.

Temple Emanu-El to present award-winning historian, writer

Jonathan Brent, executive director and CEO of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, will speak on Feb. 10 and 11 at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road in Sarasota, as part of this year’s Kaplan Scholar-in-Residence program.

Jonathan Brent is executive director and CEO of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
Jonathan Brent is executive director and CEO of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

Brent, an award-winning historian, translator, writer, and teacher, lectures and publishes widely on Jewish, Soviet, and East European history. He has been involved in three documentaries, including the 2021 Netflix film "How to Become a Tyrant," and is currently participating in a documentary on the life of Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of Jews in German-occupied Hungary during the Holocaust.

“YIVO has the largest archive documenting the Eastern European Jewish community, dating back to the 16th century,” Scholar-in-Residence co-chair Wendy Wicks said. “Having Jonathan as a speaker will be illuminating.”

Brent will speak on Feb. 10 at 7:15 p.m. on “It Ain’t Necessarily So: What Was Life Really Like for Eastern European Jewry?” His presentation on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. is titled “Raiders of the Lost Archives,” a behind-the-scenes story of the work at YIVO. For information and reservations, call 941-371-2788 or visit sarasotatemple.org/upcoming-events1.html.

CreArte grant to fund music workshop for Latino youth

CreArte Latino Cultural Center has received a $3,600 grant from the Justine S. Sprenger and Rita H. Bullock Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation to support a new Latin music workshop for Latino youth 9-16 years old. The six-week program will be taught in Spanish by local professional musicians.

The workshop, Nuestra Músic, features an exploration of traditional folk music from Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Instructors will offer basic training in an array of instruments, including percussion (bongo, conga, güira, maracas, marimba and timbal), strings (guitar, banjo, tiples, cuatro) and keyboard.

"Many of these children and young teens may not be familiar with traditional Latin rhythms and songs such as cumbia, salsa and joropo," CreArte Latino executive director Carol Hartz said. "After participating in this workshop, we hope they’ll come away inspired to learn even more.”

CreArte Latino Cultural Center’s 2023 schedule also includes the “Amigos Book Club” for adult Spanish speakers; an adult class in Spanish for English speakers (“Conversemos”); and an adult class in English for Spanish speakers (“Let’s Talk in English”). For information, visit creartelatino.org.

Suncoast Partnership seeking volunteers for homeless census

The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, in partnership with Turning Points, is seeking volunteers to assist with the 2023 Point-In-Time Homeless Census on Jan. 23-28 in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The survey's goal is to obtain an unduplicated count of individuals and families in Manatee and Sarasota Counties experiencing homelessness.

The census will serve as the basis for responding to gaps in services for homeless individuals and families; developing strategies to meet the goal of ending homelessness; and securing federal, state and local funding to better serve homeless individuals and families in the community.

Volunteers work as part of a team and the time commitment is flexible. Bilingual skills are especially appreciated but not required. For information, contact Tina Juillerat at tjuillerat@tpmanatee.org or 941-747-1509, ext. 334; or visit bit.ly/Signup2023PointInTime.

Operation Warrior Resolution receives new therapy support

Operation Warrior Resolution has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support veterans and their family.

Operation Warrior Resolution provides veterans with brain-based healing techniques and alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, and equine therapy during weeklong retreats. The grant will be used to support ongoing needs after participating in the retreats.

Operation Warrior Resolution has helped over 100 veterans through their retreat program and almost 1,000 veterans and their families through other activities and events in the Sarasota area. For more information, visit operationwarriorresolution.org.

Around and about ...

The UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County Residential Horticulture Program is hosting a community scavenger hunt to celebrate Florida Arbor Day on Jan. 20. Participants can explore Emerson Point Preserve, Conservatory Park, The Nest at Robinson Preserve, and Bradenton’s Riverwalk while searching for trees with a TreeQuest tag. Once found, participants can scan a QR code and register for a chance to win prizes. Info: youtu.be/Z_N2ngfGNDI

• The fourth annual Englewood Seafood & Music Festival is Jan. 20 from 4-10 p.m., Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Englewood Plaza, 200 S. Indiana Ave. The event includes a fine arts and crafts marketplace and live music. Info: paragonfestivals.com.

• The Lakewood Ranch Fine Arts Festival is Jan. 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Lakewood Ranch. The event features local, regional and national artisans with works in painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, wearable art, mixed-media, and woodworking. Info: paragonfestivals.com.

• The Sarasota Fine Arts Show is Jan. 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Phillippi Estates Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail. The event includes juried fine arts and crafts plus plus food and live entertainment. There also is a youth art competition for grades 6-12. Info: artsandeducationinc.org.

• The 15th annual Sarasota Jewish Food Festival is Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road. Temple Sinai members will be preparing a wide range of Jewish food and baked goods. There also will be craft and jewelry vendors, an art sale, and a bounce house and face-painting for children. A student concert will be held at noon. Info: templesinai-sarasota.org; 941-924-1802.

• Tidewell Foundation, Truist Bank and Equality Florida Suncoast Chapter will host an information seminar on end-of-life planning for LGBTQ individuals and families on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Info: LGBTQLegacyPlanning.eventbrite.com.

Submissions by Sharon Kunkel, Elaine Rose Glickman, Su Byron, Margi Dawson, Murray Devine, Katie Granberg, Marty Katz, Hillary Reynolds, Patty Narozny, Ashley Parker.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Award-winning writer at Temple Emanu-El; CreArte Latino music workshop