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Obama hits Clinton-era notes in speech with broad appeal
 | | Delegates celebrate in Denver during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 25. |
By Ami Eden
NEW YORK (JTA) -- Picking up where many of his fellow Democrats left off last Wednesday, Barack Obama used part of his nomination speech to advance the argument that Republican policies in the Middle East have hurt America’s battle against terrorism and endangered Israel.
“You don’t defeat a terrorist network that operates in 80 countries by occupying Iraq,” Sen. Obama (D-Ill.) told the estimated crowd of 75,000 people Thursday, Aug. 28 at Invesco Field. “You don’t protect Israel and deter Iran just by talking tough in Washington. You can’t truly stand up for Georgia when you’ve strained our oldest alliances. If John McCain wants to follow George Bush with more tough talk and bad strategy, that is his choice, but it is not the change we need.”
This was not a speech about the Jewish vote or foreign policy, though Obama hit many notes that most Jews agree with and offered some sharp critiques of the GOP’s diplomatic and national security record.
Rather, the speech Obama delivered had enough red meat for his staunch supporters while also hitting many notes meant to reassure backers of primary challenger Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.).
There was plenty to electrify the faithful who long have seen their candidate as a transcendent figure, from the packed-stadium setting, to the classical columns serving as a backdrop to the fireworks, to pop singer Will. I. Am’s “Yes I Can” ode to Obama’s Iowa victory speech. But Obama also supplied more than he had in many previous speeches for those looking for a more mundane definition of change -- as in, a change back from the Bush years to the Clinton ones. [more] |
Hadassah honors Hruby and Leavitt
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah is proud to honor two outstanding women at its annual awards brunch that will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hilton Orlando, 350 S. Northlake Boulevard in Altamonte Springs.
Every year, members are selected for the prestigious awards of Woman of the Year and/or the National Leadership Award based on their commitment and involvement in the development of the group’s present and future leadership. These dedicated and inspirational women are also active and serve the Jewish community in many other ways.
This year the honoree as Woman of the Year is Erica Hruby of the Sabra Group. The National Leadership Award honoree is Jeri Leavitt of the Rishona Chaverot Group. Both of these women have made significant contributions in terms of their time, leadership and commitment to Hadassah.
Erica Hruby is a native Floridian who grew up in Central Florida and earned a degree in psychology at Stetson University. She also has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and lives in Oviedo with her husband Matt and their daughters Zipporah and Lila. The Hrubys are members of Congregation Ohev Shalom, and Erica has been involved professionally in Jewish life, primarily working with teens and elementary school age children. She currently serves as the director of the community Hebrew high school, Beit Hamidrash, and oversees Jewish education for Central Florida’s Jewish teens in grades 8 through 12. She managers to find time in her already packed schedule to volunteer with the Jewish Community Center, Hebrew Day School, Congregation Ohev Shalom, North American Association of Community Hebrew High Schools and the Sabra Group of Hadassah. [more]Osteen’s documentary premieres on HBO
 | | Documentary filmmaker Talia Osteen is flanked by the subjects of her film “Blindsided”: Jared Hara (l) and Ali Hakim (r). |
While Talia Osteen, daughter of David and Michal Osteen of Longwood and one-third of the nationally acclaimed singing trio Visions, was attending film school at University of Southern California in 2004, she received a call from Mark Hara, a Maitland resident, asking if she would like to direct a documentary. Hara wanted to capture the beautiful relationship between his son Jared, who is Jewish, and Ali Hakim, Jared’s best friend who is Muslim. Hara wanted to document the unconditional bond between these two boys of faiths the world perceived as combative and incompatible. He wished to share the story of how Ali never left Jared’s side when he needed him the most: when he was going blind.
What the film turned into is something more than a unique friendship between a Muslim and a Jew. Before filming began on “Blindsided,” Osteen and veteran filmmaker Mark Moorman, brought in by producer David Coleman, decided there was another story that needed to be explored; the story of the Haras, a once devoted family, and how the loss of Jared’s sight was dealt with by the family in painfully different ways that tore them apart.
It is through Osteen’s vision and sensitivity that rare and intimate moments are captured through painfully honest interviews conducted with family members and friends. She gets the truth about what transpired in the Hara household for the two years following the discovery of Jared’s genetic disease that would eventually take his sight. She uncovers the spiraling depression, blame, disconnect, and ultimately Jared’s indomitable spirit that brings the family out of their darkness. Moorman complements Osteen’s vision with cinematography that draws the viewer further into the hearts and minds of those in the film. [more] |
Kimberly Shader does one more remake of ‘Beau Jest’ for JCC
 | | Kimberly Shader |
Opening night is just over a week away for the newest Jewish Community Center Center Players production, “Beau Jest,” and star Kimberly Shader is hard at work making final preparations. Shader plays the lead role of Sarah in this laugh-out-loud production, which opens at the JCC’s Harriet and Hymen Lake Cultural Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. The show runs on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 28.
A University of Central Florida theater graduate, Shader reprises a role she was cast in 12 years ago at the JCC. Shortly after rehearsals had started for the production, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer that required immediate surgery and treatment. Her doctors told her not to do the show but, as Shader says, “The worst thing they could have done was told me I can’t do something. It really made me mad, and I was determined to prove them wrong.”
Fortunately for Shader, starring in “Beau Jest” gave her something positive to focus on during her treatment and was a blessing during her personal health ordeal. Because of this, she has always said she would play the role again in a heartbeat. It is no surprise that when approached by “Beau Jest” director and close friend David Gerrard, she immediately accepted the invitation to audition. Shader also has the rare opportunity of starring opposite her husband, Steve Hurst, in this production. [more] |
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