Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The community came out in enthusiastic support of the Jewish Pavilion at its 2018 Gems and Jeans Gala at the Hilton Orlando North on Sunday, Oct. 28. More than 215 people turned out in casually glam attire to celebrate the Pavilion's successes and honor two very special volunteers: Paul Stenzler and Jason Mendelsohn. The gala marked a milestone in the Pavilion's history: for the past 18 years, the Jewish Pavilion has worked with volunteers to bring the spark of Jewish life and culture to...
Jewish Pavilion program directors touch many lives, and many in the community reacted with shock and concern upon learning recently that Walter Goldstein, the program director for south Orlando, was diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. Goldstein has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from Orlando's Jewish community and from staff and residents of so many of the eldercare communities. The process of seeking healing with an aggressive treatment schedule has left Goldstein with...
When Mae Weisman was in a skilled-nursing facility, recuperating from a recent illness, it was only natural for her to miss doing the things she enjoys. One of the things she most looked forward to upon returning home to Brookdale Island Lake is the weekly Shabbat service led by Jewish Pavilion volunteers. Although the Jewish Pavilion had occasional programs and friendly visits at the nursing facility, Weisman missed having the weekly Shabbat program to look forward to. "This is the most...
Just about every Monday, residents of Savannah Court and Cove Assisted Living in Maitland enjoy an Ice Cream Social and play a group card game called "Lotto." It's a fun program of the Jewish Pavilion that's run by volunteers, and it's a great way for residents to socialize and be entertained. Residents of all backgrounds and faiths are welcomed, and for many it is a highlight of their week. Savannah Court marketing relations director, Meg Wilson, and other staff wanted to find a way to get resi...
A warm, sweet noodle kugel makes a wonderful goodwill ambassador. Throw in bagels and lox and apple cake alongside breakfast staples such as boiled eggs and oatmeal, and you’ve got yourself a satisfied and receptive crowd. That’s what Nancy Ludin, CEO of the Jewish Pavilion, aims for when she hosts breakfasts at the Maitland Chamber of Commerce with the help of staff and volunteers. “The Jewish Pavilion is an important public relations force for Jewish culture in the wider community,” said Ludin. “Anything we can do to make people feel posi...
Step out for a night on the town in your favorite pair of jeans, jazzed up with some glam accessories, at the Jewish Pavilion's Gems and Jeans 2018 Gala. The Oct. 28 affair will be a fun and festive evening of great food, live jazz, and enticing items to bid on in a silent auction. The slogan for the milestone 18th-chai-anniversary gala is "To Life!" It will be a celebration of the spark of Jewish life and culture that the Jewish Pavilion brings to more than 1,000 seniors living in elder care...
Each year for the High Holidays, the plaintive, soul-stirring sound of the shofar rings out in synagogues all over the world, and congregants are moved by that ancient tie to their ancestors. For the past several years, Jewish Pavilion volunteer Susie Stone has made sure that Jews in area senior living facilities are not left out. In many Jewish homes, a shofar is proudly displayed on a shelf or mantle, more an object of Judaica than an instrument used during High Holiday prayer. Maybe once or...
Ask people what they look forward to as the High Holidays approach, and most will respond with descriptions of a treasured family recipe for apple-honey cake or a steaming bowl of matzoh ball soup, redolent of dill, carrots and chives. For residents of senior living facilities, especially those who are ill or who do not have family in town, going to synagogue and sharing traditional holiday foods with family are not possible. So the Jewish Pavilion brings Jewish holidays and Jewish culture and...
The Jewish Pavilion Board of Directors welcomed a new executive committee and six new members at its August meeting. Former board member Dick Appelbaum reviewed the past year's accomplishments and installed the new executive committee and board. The new president for a two-year term is Faye Novick. Barry Kudlowitz is vice president, Terri Fine is secretary and Toby Vandemark is treasurer. Immediate past president Paul Stenzler remains on the executive committee and board. New board members are...
As it gears up to celebrate its milestone 18th anniversary at its Gems and Jeans Gala on Oct. 28, The Jewish Pavilion and its Friends of the Pavilion Board are looking back with nostalgia and gratitude on the many dedicated and hardworking volunteers who have given so much of themselves since its earliest days. Two of its longest serving and most devoted volunteers are Elise Schilowitz and Gloria Newberger. Schilowitz has been an active member of Orlando's Jewish community since she moved here...
Sometimes all it takes is some friendly encouragement and a little banter to add spark to a game that may otherwise seem tame. At least, that was Jacob Cohen's experience on a recent Monday when he took over as the "caller" for a game of Lotto at the Savannah Court Assisted Living Community in Maitland. Cohen, 21, and a senior in the bachelor's in nursing program at Florida Gulf Coast University, grew up in Orlando and is spending part of his summer volunteering for The Jewish Pavilion. In addit...
The seating areas in the light-filled lobby and commons of Brookdale Lake Orienta were abuzz with youthful energy on a recent Wednesday when a group of more than 40 middle schoolers from the Camp J's Tayarim (Travelers) program came for an afternoon of games and socializing with the residents. Groups of the young teens and seniors played checkers, worked puzzles, colored intricate designs in adult coloring books, solved word searches, or just settled in for a nice chat in an annual visit...
When Gloria Danvers was preparing to move her mom to Central Florida to live with her, she had a lot of questions she needed answered in order to make the transition successful. Her mom, Ann, was a smart and active woman who was still working at her medical transcriptionist business at the age of 82, but she had been having health problems and it was clear that changes needed to be made. Danvers, a Winter Park hypnotherapist who also has a St. Augustine office, knew she needed good advice. "I...
Whenever Shirley Schoenberger visits, the room always gets a little warmer. That's because Schoenberger, an active Jewish Pavilion volunteer for more than four years, brings with her a wonderfully upbeat attitude and a warm and caring way wherever she goes. "Shirley is a ray of sunshine. She is so warm and friendly. Her smile is contagious," said Nancy Ludin, executive director of The Jewish Pavilion. Schoenberger helps with the weekly Shabbat services at Brookdale Island Lake in Longwood,...
When Walter Goldstein comes to seniors facilities to do programs, the residents know they're in for a treat. Goldstein, a program director for The Jewish Pavilion's south Orlando region, has a warm and welcoming way of connecting with them individually as they settle in for his programs. And he knows his audiences, leading engaging programs that both pull in Jewish culture and tradition and also remain relevant for the many non-Jews who also attend. And then there's that voice. Clear, strong,...
When Lake Brantley High School incoming juniors Jennifer Simon and Alexandra George were looking for a place to volunteer this summer to fulfill the Bright Futures scholarship requirement of 100 hours of community service, their Internet search of local organizations brought them to The Jewish Pavilion. They knew it would be a perfect fit, Simon said. Both of them have grandparents that they enjoy spending time with, and they were impressed with the mission of the organization and wanted to...
A few years ago, Howie Appel lost his wife of almost 40 years to cancer. About a year before that, Jane Edelstein lost her mother. Grief is such a personal, individual experience, and no two people go through the process of bereavement in precisely the same way. But at different times and in different ways, Appel and Edelstein found help and comfort from the same source: a grief support group that is run by VITAS Healthcare in partnership with The Jewish Pavilion. Appel was still reeling from...
The Jewish Pavilion Gala committee is in full swing, planning a festive and memorable celebration to mark the organization's 18th-Chai-anniversary. Since chai means "life" in Hebrew, the slogan for the Oct. 28 gala is "To Life!" It will be a celebration of the spark of Jewish life and culture that the Jewish Pavilion brings to hundreds of seniors living in elder care and independent living facilities in Central Florida. It all started 18 years ago when Sheryl and Julian Meitin, with aging...
An approaching hurricane fills many people with dread and uncertainty. And as Central Florida was reminded only last September with Hurricane Irma, any year can bring us one (or more) of these extreme weather events. Seniors may feel especially vulnerable and alone before, during, and immediately after a weather emergency-and many with good reason. Medical, mobility, and many other issues that may affect seniors can reach crisis proportions when normal routines and services are interrupted or...
George Braunstein is a member of a storied group whose numbers dwindle as each Memorial Day passes: Jewish American veterans of World War II. As he approaches his 95th birthday, the Kinneret resident is proud to have been one of the interview subjects of the recent documentary "G.I. Jews," which aired on PBS in April. Although his interview was not included in the final documentary, it was used as a promotional teaser and can be found on YouTube. A frequent and lively participant in Jewish...
As about 40 Jewish residents of Oakmonte Village's independent living building sat expectantly on a recent Friday evening, Jewish Pavilion volunteer Susan Bernstein strapped a thin, boxy "travel guitar" around her neck. Since she was filling in for their regular twice-monthly Shabbat service leader, Cathy Swerdlow, Bernstein first introduced herself to her "congregation," mentioning her Long Island, NY, origins and bantering easily with the residents as some called out where they're from. She...
More than 100 players hit the greens at Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Club on Sunday, May 6, for the Pavilion Golf Society's annual golf tournament. The event raised more than $18,000 to benefit the Orlando Senior Help Desk, a service of The Jewish Pavilion that offers free advice on services and living options for seniors. The morning began with a light breakfast, after which golfers took to their carts and positioned themselves for the shotgun start. A luncheon and live auction followed the...
