Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Articles written by Jill Jacobs


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  • How to count the omer - a guide to the ritual that occurs between Passover and Shavuot

    Rabbi Jill Jacobs|Apr 9, 2021

    The omer refers to the 49-day period between the second night of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot. This period marks the beginning of the barley harvest when, in ancient times, Jews would bring the first sheaves to the Temple as a means of thanking God for the harvest. The word omer literally means “sheaf” and refers to these early offerings. The Torah itself dictates the counting of the seven weeks following Passover: “You shall count from the eve of the second day of Pesach, when an omer of grain is to be brought as an offering, seven...

  • Opposing BDS: Anti-BDS law can't be 'pro-Israel' if it tramples on free speech

    Jill Jacobs|Jul 1, 2016

    NEW YORK (JTA)—If you’re a supporter of Israel and of the Jewish community, you should be very worried about a new executive order issued by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on June 5. While billed as an initiative to prevent New York state from supporting the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, the law actually constitutes a frightening attack on free speech while likely creating a backlash that will do harm both to Israel and the Jewish community. Cuomo’s order mandates the creation of a list of every company worldwide that “enga...