Special guest surprises at TBI's Shabbat service

The founder and CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity spoke and sang at Shabbat service Friday night.

By Lesley Dwyer
| 11:00 a.m. January 8, 2023

Rabbi Howard Simon, April Glasco and Rona Simon enjoy a bashert reunion at Shabbat service Friday night.

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“Bashert” is a Yiddish term, meaning a soulmate who is "meant to be."

April Glasco, the founder and CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity, was "bashert" indeed when she spoke Jan. 6 at Temple Beth Israel’s Shabbat service.

“I didn’t know she was going to be here tonight,” said Rabbi Howard Simon of Sarasota's Temple Emanu-El. “We came here tonight because it’s the anniversary of my brother’s death, and I want to say kaddish (mourner’s prayer) for my brother, and my April is standing here, and I think 'Oh, my lord.'"

The two traveled to Israel together and laughed heartily over the looks they received, but the odd couple wasn’t traveling alone. Simon led three trips to Israel for non-Jewish clergy and community leaders.

He took between 30 to 40 people on each trip. One year, there were a number of Catholic clergy in attendance who, upon seeing the Jordan River, wanted to be baptized again. The question was who would perform the baptism.

“They looked at me and said, ‘You know we talked it over. Jesus was a rabbi, you’re a rabbi, you’ll do,’” Simon said. “I did the prayers for the Catholics as they got baptized. They were special, special journeys.”

Simon invited Glasco along in 2010 after hearing about her contributions to Sarasota’s Newtown community. SCLO opened in 1995 and has continued to expand its outreach services since. Plans for 2023 include moving their emergency food services into an air conditioned building.

“Our clients come from a dark pit of hopelessness to being no longer homeless and to seeing a better and brighter future. They move from not eating for days to having healthy food to eat,” Glasco said. “The greatest principle that they have learned through Second Chance is love, peace and hope. Individuals are provided with tools and skills to be encouraged to further their education, live a better life and become a productive citizen.”

Temple members started supporting SCLO in 2020 through the Flanzer Trust Match program and donations of food and clothing every six weeks.

Barbara Pressman and Temple Beth Israel executive director Isaac Azerad

Social Action Committee members Bonnie Wilder, Karen Gary and Arlene Skversky

Board co-president Marion Levine and Denise Shoham. With well over 100 members in attendance, Levine says the evening reminds her of a high holiday.

Karen Gary, April Glasco and Alice Blueglass before Shabbat service at Temple Beth Israel Friday night.

Carole Singer happily waiting on her husband of 69 years to sit and Shabbat service to start.

Choirmaster Ann Stephenson-Moe leads the temple's choir for the evening.

Rabbi Stephen Sniderman welcomes his congregation.

Suzanne Schuster lights the Shabbat candles.

April Glasco takes over for the choir and sings gospel.

April Glasco sings a beautiful rendition of "God Has Smiled on Me."

Husband and wife Dr. Stuart Mushlin and Francine Achbar

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.