SoWalSally
03-17-2008, 08:49 AM
http://www.waltonsun.com/articles/jewish_955___article.html/community_walton.html
Jewish community in South Walton is alive and well
By Deborah Wheeler
When Todd Sachs moved to South Walton in 2004 from Washington D.C., he was surprised to find there was no tabernacle nearby where he could worship.
Sachs doesn’t consider himself “hard core” in his faith and rarely attended services in D.C., but he knew they were available. With the closest Tabernacle to South Walton located in Fort Walton Beach, Sachs found himself missing the familiar presence of a Jewish community here. He began to search for others of the Jewish faith and to discuss possibilities of what they could do collectively.
The resulting Emerald Coast Jewish Community first met in 2006 for celebration of the Jewish New Year and to share food and prayers. They later celebrated Hanukah on the beach by candlelight.
Since establishing the Emerald Coast Jewish Community, the group regularly sees 25 active members and has 150 names on its mailing list. The group comes together quarterly or monthly, sometimes meeting for potluck dinners or to celebrate a holiday.
“We’re still in the very early stages of what we are as a group, but we all believe alike. Like other faiths, we pick and choose ceremonies that we want to do,” said Sachs. “Some keep kosher but a lot don’t. Some light the Shabbat candles at home during Shabbat and celebrate the high holidays such as Passover and Rosh Hashanah.”
The Emerald Coast Jewish Community is hosting a Havdallah dinner to commemorate the conclusion of Shabbat (the Sabbath) on March 8, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the new Another Broken Egg Café on Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. There will also be a cash bar and a program. For more information, go to www.ecjc.net and click on “Upcoming Event.” There is also contact info on the site to learn more about the group.
Jewish community in South Walton is alive and well
By Deborah Wheeler
When Todd Sachs moved to South Walton in 2004 from Washington D.C., he was surprised to find there was no tabernacle nearby where he could worship.
Sachs doesn’t consider himself “hard core” in his faith and rarely attended services in D.C., but he knew they were available. With the closest Tabernacle to South Walton located in Fort Walton Beach, Sachs found himself missing the familiar presence of a Jewish community here. He began to search for others of the Jewish faith and to discuss possibilities of what they could do collectively.
The resulting Emerald Coast Jewish Community first met in 2006 for celebration of the Jewish New Year and to share food and prayers. They later celebrated Hanukah on the beach by candlelight.
Since establishing the Emerald Coast Jewish Community, the group regularly sees 25 active members and has 150 names on its mailing list. The group comes together quarterly or monthly, sometimes meeting for potluck dinners or to celebrate a holiday.
“We’re still in the very early stages of what we are as a group, but we all believe alike. Like other faiths, we pick and choose ceremonies that we want to do,” said Sachs. “Some keep kosher but a lot don’t. Some light the Shabbat candles at home during Shabbat and celebrate the high holidays such as Passover and Rosh Hashanah.”
The Emerald Coast Jewish Community is hosting a Havdallah dinner to commemorate the conclusion of Shabbat (the Sabbath) on March 8, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the new Another Broken Egg Café on Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. There will also be a cash bar and a program. For more information, go to www.ecjc.net and click on “Upcoming Event.” There is also contact info on the site to learn more about the group.