Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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On Nov. 8, 2015 four conservative congregation's Men's Clubs held an event to honor individuals from each of their participating synagogues for their outstanding leadership with their synagogue and their community. The event, called "Man of the Year/Youth of the Year," was held at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. The four Conservative Temples in Central Florida that joined the event were Congregation Beth Am, Longwood; Temple Beth Sholom, Melbourne; Temple Israel, Winter Springs; and... Full story
After 15 years, Ben's Bake Shop closed at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2015. No more challah-at least for now. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, Michael Fischer went to the bakery at 7 a.m. to be sure to get some of Ben's famous challah. When he got there, a line had already formed and by 8 a.m., when the bakery opened, that line was all the way down the block. It took only one and a half hours to sell all 100 loaves. Later that afternoon, the glass shelves in the display case were almost empty. Only two yule logs,... Full story
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in partnership with Congregation Beth Am invites the Central Florida Jewish community to a special briefing on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the synagogue social hall at 3899 Sand Lake Road, Longwood. Presented by Josh Nason, this important update is titled "The Threats to Israel's Security in the Deteriorating Middle East." Josh Nason works as a senior policy analyst in Policy & Government Affairs at AIPAC, where he works with... Full story
(JTA)-As 2015 winds to a close, we'd like to take a moment to honor the memories of those who we lost over the past 12 months. From remembering lives cut short by senseless, dark tragedies to tributes to revered icons who lived life to the fullest, here are some Jews whose deaths left their legacy on the year that was. Theodore Bikel, 91 Bikel, who died on July 21 of natural causes, was best known for playing Tevye in the stage production of "Fiddler on the Roof" more often than any other... Full story
WASHINGTON (Washington Jewish Week)-Alarmed by what they called "Orwellian efforts" to link Israel with a multitude of free-speech issues now roiling American college campuses, a group of influential academics has launched an initiative to combat anti-Semitism and facilitate constructive dialogue about Israel. Led by Mark Yudof, president emeritus of the University of California system, and Kenneth Waltzer, former director of Jewish studies at Michigan State University, the Academic Engagement... Full story
For the first time since World War II, two of Europe's great synagogues were forced to shutter their doors to Jews on the Sabbath. The weekend following the horrific attacks in Paris, the streets of Belgium and other major European cities were covered in military vehicles, armored military personnel and silence. The Great Synagogue of Brussels was closed because of an "immediate very serious threat." The Malmo Synagogue in Sweden was on lockdown because it was believed people with the "intent... Full story
NEW YORK-Repair the World, the only organization devoted exclusively to engaging young Jewish adults as volunteers, has launched a special national campaign, Act for Racial Justice on MLK Weekend. Combining two pillars of Repair's engagement strategy, Act for Racial Justice offers the opportunity to host a Turn The Tables Shabbat Dinner on Jan. 15th (turn-the-tables.org)-resources will help facilitate substantive questions and dialogue-followed by numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the... Full story
Russia has announced that it will build two nuclear power plants in Iran starting this week, Iranian Mehr news agency quoted a senior Iranian atomic energy official as saying on Tuesday. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran seems to be referring to extending the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran. This move comes a year after Iran signed a contract with Moscow to build up to eight reactors at the Bushehr power plant, where one nuclear reactor is already running. The International... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion's *Pearls of the Pavilion luncheon will take on a whole new spin when it is held at the Orlando Ballet on Tuesday, Jan.12. The event is generously sponsored by Geanne Share of Orlando who has served on the board of both organizations. Share noted, "My favorite thing to do is to bring people and organizations together. The luncheon is a win-win for both groups. The ladies of the Pavilion will be thoroughly entertained by the ballet. The performance will be followed by a... Full story
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah will present “Saving Heartbeats” at its luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 at Congregation Ohev Shalom at 11:30 a.m. The program “Saving Heartbeats” is a CPR class aimed at teaching the basic life saving techniques to women so they may understand what is needed to act in an emergency situation. Hopefully, this presentation encourages them to follow through and become certified in CPR. Orlando Hadassah offers this program annually. The class has proven its value. It works! Two days after partici... Full story
Crack! Bam! Jokers! These will be the sounds you’ll be hearing at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando’s 12th Annual “MAJ MADNESS” Mah Jongg Tournament to be held Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. The festivities will begin at 9:15 a.m. with registration, breakfast and coffee, with games beginning at 10 a.m. The tournament format will include four rounds following the National Mah Jongg League Official Rules of Play. Open to people of all playing levels, MAJ MADNESS is $36 per person ($30 for JCC members) and includes lunch, drinks,... Full story
The most recent Republican presidential debate was a breath of fresh air on the terrorism challenge that is front and center in American politics right now. To begin with, it was heartening to see Jeb Bush, whose quest to secure the nomination is all but over, remind Americans that he can be a clear and insightful thinker and leader. As he lambasted Donald Trump for the latter’s stupid and bigoted proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States, Bush pointed out a few indubitable truths, most importantly concerning the Kurds. “We nee... Full story
December 22, 2015 I didn’t cry when I first saw the Western Wall, but I bawled like a baby when I first visited Ellis Island. I thought about this over the weekend as I watched Brooklyn, director John Crowley’s emotionally devastating adaptation of Colm Toibin’s 2009 novel about an Irish woman who comes to the United States as an immigrant in the early 1950s. I cried when she said goodbye to her mother and sister at the docks in Ireland. I cried when she passed through a door into her new world. Mostly, I cried over each of the kindnesses paid... Full story
Imagine Donald Trump as the leader of the free world. It may be something we have to get used to. Coming after eight years of Barack Obama, who came after George W. Bush, who came after Bill Clinton, one can wonder what made America great. A population of 320 million and the world largest economy had a great deal to do with it, along with being the last country standing at the end of the most recent world war, and still having the greatest military assets. However, 1945 was a long time ago. Those of us who remember it are too old to be relied... Full story
(JTA)—Ever wonder if Bernie Sanders is good for the Jews? How about Andy Warhol? The pope? 9/11? The Diaspora? Alexander the Great? Drake? The year 5775? These questions and many more have all been asked and answered. Apparently a lot of people still see this as a useful metric. “Is it good for the Jews?” is as much a punchline as a question. And yet, whether the question is asked explicitly or not, there remains a corner of our community that brings a “good for the Jews” mentality to every concern. A recent JTA Op-Ed was titled “Why campus ant... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)—In the wake of the terrorist sprees in Paris and San Bernardino, world attention has fixated on the danger posed by the Islamic State to the West. While certainly merited, the acronym ISIS is not the only four-letter word to worry about. Iran is another. Iran? Wasn’t that pushed to the back burner by the nuclear deal reached this summer? According to what the White House at the time called a “historic agreement,” Iran was to take a number of specific steps to ensure the world that it was suspending its nuclear program in return... Full story
The Arab journalist whom the New York Times has hired to report on Israel has come up with the most “terrifying” example yet of Israeli oppression: the issuing of parking tickets to Palestinians. The reporter, Diaa Hadid, who describes herself as “an Australian of Lebanese & Egyptian descent,” previously served as public relations officer for the pro-Palestinian group “Ittijah.” Its director, Amir Makhloul, is in an Israeli prison for espionage on behalf of Hezbollah terrorists. Hadid’s resume also includes a stint as a columnist for the anti-... Full story
MORNING AND EVENING MINYANS (Call synagogue to confirm time.) Chabad of South Orlando—Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. and 10 minutes before sunset; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 8:15 a.m., 407-354-3660. Congregation Ahavas Yisrael—Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-644-2500. Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Daytona—Monday, 8 a.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m., 904-672-9300. Congregation Ohev Shalom—Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-298-4650. GOBOR Community Minyan at Jewish Academy of Orlando—Monday—Friday, 7:45 a.m.—8:30 a.m. Temple I... Full story
"Everything's Possible," by Tom Rosenberg Epoche Press Subtitled "A memoir of assimilating, chasing the American Dream, and reclaiming Jewish identity, author Tom Rosenberg stated, "Judaism is a religion that accepts change. This makes me proud to be a Jew." Now that's a positive statement about one's identity. But Rosenberg didn't always think that way. He was six in 1938, when his family escaped Nazi Germany. When the family arrived in America, they adopted the anglicized name Ross.... Full story
Steinreich Communications, an international public relations firm based in New Jersey, recently appointed Daniel Seaman as its managing director of its Israel office. Seaman brings more than 30 years of communications experience to the firm. He will spearhead a team working with clients in travel and tourism, healthcare, education, technology, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Prior to joining Steinreich Communications, Seaman served as the director of the Israel Government Press Office for a decade under six prime ministers... Full story
In a region full of challenges and short on solutions, reported cooperation between Hamas and the Islamic State branch in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula-considered by many experts to be the terror group's most potent offshoot-adds a new layer of threats to Middle East stability and especially to Israel. According to reports, the Gaza-ruling Palestinian terrorist organization and the Islamic State branch are collaborating on funding, smuggling, training, and even medical support. "It's a worrying... Full story
JERUSALEM (JTA)-The chain of events is familiar: Israel's security forces detain a terrorism suspect, deny him access to his lawyer and interrogate him. The detainee alleges that he was tortured during the interrogation. His lawyers decry the abuses and are backed up by Israeli human rights groups. Supporters of the detainee riot in the street, injuring Israeli forces. The Israeli government denies the charges and condemns the rioters. It's a progression that has occurred time and again with... Full story
Even I forgot... Before I became a professional singer and a writer of columns, I was a published poet. I completely forgot about that part of my life until just recently when one of my sons helped me clean out my garage and several books containing my poetry were found. I will pass on only one because it is so appropriate for my new situation: "I held your hand when first we met and came to know your touch, I held your hand and as time past I loved you oh so much, I held your hand when we were... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Though it’s been more than a year since Rabbi Barry Freundel was hauled away in handcuffs for installing secret cameras at his synagogue’s mikvah, his crime still casts a shadow over his longtime Orthodox congregation, Kesher Israel. Three civil lawsuits are pending against Kesher by women who presumably used the ritual bath adjacent to his Washington synagogue and were filmed by the rabbi while undressing (the women are identified as Jane Does in the lawsuits). The congregation, which is struggling financially, has yet to be... Full story
Over the past 100 years, Portugal has made sudden, somewhat fitful, unplanned, and as it turned out, cynical proposals accompanied by dramatic announcements of its intention to carry out “historic justice” and make reparations to the descendants of its Jewish population expelled in 1497. Following a previous example set by Spain in 2013 guaranteeing a “Jewish right of return” by descendants of those expelled in 1492, observers have struggled to understand what if anything is at stake other than a cosmetic attempt to assuage a conscie... Full story
