By Janis Fontaine
Refusenik Marina Furman speaks at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 16 at a private home in St. Andrews Country Club. Hear the story of a woman who survived the Soviet emigré movement and made a dangerous journey to freedom, including a harrowing escape from a KGB murder attempt while she was pregnant.
Furman now works as executive regional director at the Jewish National Fund in Philadelphia.
The event is open to contributors to the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s 2016 annual campaign at the “pomegranate” level. Tickets are $36 and include breakfast. For information or to become part of the pomegranate sisterhood, call 852-6058 or email francescaw@bocafed.org. RSVP at www.jewishboca.org/pomegranate.
Interim minister
In January, the Rev. Dr. Edward S. Long began his service as international transitional interim minister for the Church of the Palms Congregational UCC in Delray Beach. Long is a graduate of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill., and he earned his master’s of divinity and his doctor of ministry from Eden Seminary. As the temporary shepherd of church he’s expected to serve 12 to 24 months.
A Valentine’s Day idea
What do most wives want for Valentine’s Day?
A delicious meal they don’t have to cook (or pick up before or clean up after) and a little undivided attention.
The meal thing is pretty easy to figure out. The attention part can be a little tougher.
Here’s an idea: Attend the Advent Lutheran Church marriage retreat on Feb. 6, and you’ll be good. Sure, it runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but it could be the best six hours you ever spent. And be honest: She deserves it.
Pastor Andy Hagen and his wife, Susan, will lead this Christian-based retreat using videos and discussion. Tuition is $40, which includes lunch and workbooks. Reservations are required. Email ahagen@adventboca.org or call 395-3632.
Shopping Op
The Step-Above Rummage Sale is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11-13 at First Presbyterian Church, 33 Gleason St., Delray Beach. This carefully executed rummage sale is like shopping in a department store.
Try on shoes comfortably in the shoe section; find bargains in the jewelry department. There’s a linen section, kitchen supplies, glassware, flatware, sets of dishes, small electrical appliances, furniture, artwork, personal and decorative items, plus books, toys, sports equipment, bicycles, luggage and tools. Info: 276-6338; www.firstdelray.com/upcoming-events.
An evening of gratitude The event takes place Feb. 23 at Congregation B’nai Torah, 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton and is a celebration of gratefulness for all we have been given.
Golden Globe and Emmy winner Henry Winkler will speak. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a showcase of the Jewish community’s resources.
A couvert of $95 plus a minimum household contribution of $365 to the 2016 Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County annual campaign are required to attend. For information, call 852-5031 or email KathleenB@bocafed.org. You can also register online at www.jewishboca.org/theevent.
Ride 4 Orphans
R4O started in 2013 to raise money for orphan projects at Spanish River Church plant locations in Chad, Malawi and Haiti and local foster care organizations: 4Kids of South Florida and Place of Hope at the Haven.
On Feb. 13, R4O will host its annual 30- or 62-mile ride from Spanish River Church through Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton. The ride leaves at 7:30 a.m. There’s also a kids fun ride and activities.
Meet at the church at 2400 Yamato Road, Boca Raton. Volunteers are also needed to make the fourth annual R4O successful. For more info, visit www.ride4orphans.com
Birdies for Children
The 2016 Honda Classic, Feb. 22-28, will help support CROS Ministries and more than 100 other charities. Make a $20 donation and correctly guess the number of birdies made by the entire field in all four rounds and you might win a new Honda.
Choose CROS and it will receive 100 percent of the donations plus a 10 percent matching contribution from The Honda Classic. Info: www.thehondaclassic.com/birdies-for-children/donate/ or www.crosministries.org.
Volunteers needed
St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church will host its 50th annual Parish Festival on March 4-6 and it needs volunteers to pull it off. Organizers estimate it takes 50,000 volunteer hours to pull off the festival, which features carnival rides, games, live entertainment, food and a flea market. Hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, at the church, 840 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach. Info: 276-6892; www.stvincentferrer.com.
Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Contact her at janisfontaine@outlook.com.
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