Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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There's a war going on in the United States. It isn't a battle with weapons that harm the physical body. It's a war of ideology versus truth and logic. And the battlefields are on college campuses. Americans for Peace and Tolerance, founded by Charles Jacobs and Avi Goldwasser, produced a shocking documentary titled "Hate Spaces: The Politics of Intolerance on Campus" that takes the viewer into the heart of the aggressive methods of "combat" used to viciously attack Jewish and pro-Israel...
A few weeks ago The Heritage ran a story about Central Florida residents Jules and Elyse Baclar, who are marathon runners. Now in their late 60s and early 70s, they are still running strong. Asher Ravede is on his way to following in their running shoes. On April 1, he was inducted into the Daytona Running Series Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Rayz Awareness 5K event. What makes this an extremely special event is that Ravede, son of James and Lisa Ravede of Ormond Beach and grandson of Joan Ravede...
On Wednesday, April 26, Club L'Chaim and students at Lake Brantley High School will present a discussion about combating hate in current times. Titled "Never Again!" the keynote speaker of the program will be Gene Klein, a Holocaust survivor and author of "We Got The Water." Klein and his family were taken from their town in Hungary to Auschwitz in 1944. He was just 16 years old. Separated from his family, Klein was placed in a work camp. His story is one of resilience, and he has insight as to...
Israeli leaders welcomed President Donald Trump’s surprise military action late Thursday to strike the airbase where Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was believed to have launched a chemical attack resulting in the deaths of at least 86 Syrians, including 27 children. “In both word and action, President Trump sent a strong and clear message today that the use and spread of chemical weapons will not be tolerated,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated. “Israel fully supports President Trump’s decision and hopes that this message o...
TEL AVIV (JTA)-In response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria on Tuesday, Israelis have donated hundreds of thousands of shekels to help children and others caught in the conflict raging on their northern border. With Israel maintaining a policy of noninterference, giving money has been a way for people here to respond to the brutal six-year civil war. Donations have spiked since the release of a video seemingly capturing the gruesome aftermath of the attack, which killed at least 82...
WASHINGTON, DC—Approximately 13,000 Jewish teens in more than 90 communities across 20 countries are participating in a day of community service and improvement projects this spring as part of J-Serve, the International Day of Jewish Youth Service, anchored on the official date—Sunday, April 2, 2017. With events kicking off as early as March and running through May, thousands of Jewish teens in grades six through twelve worldwide have organized a variety of J-Serve projects focused on meaningful social issues such as literacy, homelessness and...
(JNS.org) The Palestinian Authority’s official television network gave viewers instructions on what a female reporter described as the Islamic “religious rules” that husbands should use when they physically abuse their wives, Palestinian Media Watch reported Thursday. “To those who use beatings and violence to solve their marital problems: carefully read the Quranic verse again (Sura 4:34),” the PA TV reporter said April 1 on the “Talk of the Land” program. “There are solutions before giving beatings. If you have to, there are religious rules...
(World Israel News)—Russia’s Foreign Ministry shocks the world by declaring West Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel. In a statement released today by its Foreign Ministry on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Russia took the unusual step of removing ambiguity about its stance on West Jerusalem. After explaining that it is “deeply concerned” about the absence of active negotiations between Israel and the Arabs on the creation of an Arab state in Judea and Samaria, Russia spelled out its stance on Jerusalem. “We reaffirm our commitment to the U...
(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org)—Israel’s Rishon Lezion Magistrates’ Court Thursday remanded a 19-year-old Israeli-American hacker from Ashkelon to police custody for an additional 12 days. It marked the suspect’s third remand since his March 23 arrest as part of an FBI investigation into allegations that he phoned in bomb threats to Jewish institutions—primarily JCCs—in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. The case has seen significant developments in recent days, as investigators analyzing the suspect’s computer for evide...
A group of women dedicated to improving the world gathered March 30 at the home of Betsy Cohen for the annual reception of the Pomegranate Society, part of the Women's Philanthropy division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. Cohen and Lauren Bloom are co-chairs of the group. The Pomegranate Society was established in 1981 as a way to inspire giving from women who care deeply about the Jewish people. Today more than 125 Federations participate. The society recognizes a woman's annual...
Back in March, several Lake Brantley High Jewish students decided to do something about the anti-Semitic vandalism that had taken place on their school grounds. At a meeting of Club L'Chaim-the Jewish club at Lake Brantley-the group decided to strengthen their pride in being Jewish and planned to help educate their peers about hate issues. Thus the birth of the Kosher Food Club, hosted by Club L'Chaim, which will meet once a month to discuss various Jewish holidays and traditions. The groups'...
While Golfer's Day is officially marked in early April, it has been suggested that this 'above-par celebration' be moved to May 7th in honor of the Pavilion Golf Society (PGS) Tournament to be held on that day. The Fifth annual PGS will honor dedicated Jewish Pavilion volunteers, community philanthropists, and avid golfers, Elise and Henry Schilowitz. Come out for a fantastic day of golf at the beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Club in support of the Orlando Senior Help Desk (OSHD), an...
Each year the Holocaust Center hosts Yom HaShoah, A Day of Remembrance, to remember the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust. On this special day the Jewish community stands with the local survivors and remember the families they lost. Also honored are the courageous rescuers and liberators whose heroism continues to inspire many. This year’s program will feature a performance of “I Remember,” a series of excerpts from Anne Frank’s diary set to music, performed by Nina Fine. Other program highlights include a survivor led candle...
There was an illuminating report from Paris in The Wall Street Journal this week that related how Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, has been consulting a group of French bankers and captains of industry in a bid to continue the mainstreaming of her party as the country’s presidential election approaches. Named “Les Horaces,” in honor of imperial Rome’s most illustrious and politically astute poet, this collection of dignitaries is preparing Le Pen, who represents what has up until now been a perennial party of opposit...
A group of Palestinians tried to burn some Israeli Jews to death March 23. Just another day in the Middle East. The four attackers drove up to the perimeter of the Jewish community of Beit El, north of Jerusalem, and began hurling firebombs toward homes there. A firebomb, also known as a Molotov cocktail, is of course a deadly weapon. It explodes on impact and unleashes a torrent of flames. We can all easily imagine what would happen if those firebombs had struck people or homes. Fortunately, Israeli soldiers immediately fired at the would-be m...
I am learning more than just a language as I study Arabic. As I had hoped, it is allowing me a peek into a culture and mentality. For example, the other day I was riding my bike and stopped to say hello to a young Arab man employed by the city as a gardener. Turns out he is a neighbor of mine. He lives in Jebel Mukabar, which is in ear shot of where I live. I hear clearly (whether I want to or not) the call to prayer each morning from the powerful mosque loudspeakers. I knew enough Arabic to comment that his village has a bad reputation. Over t...
President Donald Trump’s missile strike against Syria inaugurates a new chapter in the long and controversial history of American responses—and sometimes nonresponses—to mass murder around the world. Although the killing of Syrian civilians by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime does not technically constitute genocide—which the United Nations defined in 1948 as the “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such”—there is no doubt Assad has committed heinous and large-scale war crimes. Trump’s d...
Yair Lapid is the current favorite to become prime minister the next time the Israeli people go to the polls to elect a new Knesset, at some point in the not-too-distant future. But whether or not the former television star who leads the centrist Yesh Atid party winds up succeeding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he has already done something that ought to influence international opinion about the Middle East conflict. The only question is whether those determined to impose their will on the Jewish state will listen. Last weekend, Lapid...
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...
On Friday, March 3rd, hundreds of students from the University of Central Florida community came together for the fifth annual mega Shabbat dinner in the Pegasus Ballroom. The goal of the "Shabbat 1000" project, which was developed by the Chabad on Campus International Foundation, is to "continue building on Jewish unity annually until the dinner reaches 1,000 participants," said Chabad at UCF's director, Rabbi Chaim Lipskier. Lipskier and his wife Rivkie began hosting these dinners in their...
Helen Benton was the younger sister of my maternal grandmother, Rose Rothenberg. My great-aunt Helen was an outgoing person in a family of reserved people. She was always very kind to my family and me. I have fond memories of times spent as a child with "Aunt Helen" and "Uncle Aaron." My sister, Barbara Silverman, and I have been working on our family genealogy for over a decade. A few years ago, my mother mentioned that at one time she had found naturalization papers for Aunt Helen. Everyone...
Mah Nishtanah? What’s new at the Jewish Academy of Orlando? Preparations for Passover, that’s what’s new! And these preparations were in high gear prior to the Passover holiday, which began on April 10. The students learned the different parts of the seder and many of the important parts of the Haggadah. The students participated in various projects in preparation for the holiday and brought home items that they will be able to use at the seder table. Some examples were seder plates and bags for hiding the Afikoman. They also parti...
Harriet Moldau may be in town only part of the year, but fortunately she shares much of that time enriching, visiting and educating Jewish seniors in our community. A huge thank you to Harriet for leading Shabbat programming over the past few months at Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary: Cordova. The seniors enjoy her enthusiasm and story telling and genuine beautiful heart. Volunteers are needed to visit, lead Shabbat and help at various Jewish holiday programming. Please call 407-678-9363 to get...
Not a kiddie movie... I'm referring to "The Zookeeper's Wife." No, it is definitely not a film comedy for children as it may sound. Rather it is the true story of a person who helped Jews escape from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. She hid them from the Nazis in her basement and played certain songs on the piano... one for hiding... one denoting safety, etc. These signals saved precious lives. Be sure to see this film! Upstate New York shocking news... Being a native New Yorker, I found...
The eighth in the series of 10 monthly JGSGO (Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando) workshops was held at Central Florida Hillel, UCF on April 4. The guest speaker was genetic genealogist Diahan Southard who returned to explain how to analyze your DNA results after having it tested. The attendance of around 70 (both in person and online), is a testament to how popular this new use of DNA research has become. Helpful advice provided by Southard included testing the right person, with...
