Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Effort will always lead to success. Believe anything else, and you are believing a falsehood. The Talmud states, "if someone says I worked hard but was not successful, don't believe him." This famous adage is part of the inner fabric that makes up the instructional aspect of Orlando Jewish Day School (OJDS). It is taught to the students at a young age to instill within them the desire to work hard, and the knowledge that if they try, they truly can succeed at anything. On Jan. 15, at OJDS, this... Full story
NEW YORK—A wave of bomb threats Wednesday morning caused 27 Jewish community centers in 17 states to quickly engage in security protocols to ensure the safety of their participants and facilities. Many quickly received the all-clear from local law enforcement, with whom they are working closely, and have resumed regular operations. This is the second time this month that multiple JCCs have received bomb threats in a single day. Paul Goldenberg, the director of Secure Community Networks (SCN), said there were bomb threats called in to Jewish c... Full story
(JTA)—Reacting to the inaugural address of President Donald Trump, Jewish groups stuck to their ideological bearings. The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations praised the unifying portions of Trump’s speech and called on him to safeguard Israel’s security and other Jewish interests. “We welcome President Trump’s acknowledgement of the need to heal the divisions in our country, to improve the lives of all Americans, to reinforce alliances and to strengthen our security,” the statement said. “We look forward to wo... Full story
Monday, Jan. 16, was a very special day for the students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando. The students did not take the day off of school in commemoration of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; rather, the students were in school, where the entire curriculum for the day was dedicated to learning about civil rights, tolerance, peace and acceptance. The students spent the day participating in meaningful activities to honor Dr. King. The students began the day with a school-wide... Full story
(JNS.org) Sunday's Mideast conference in Paris, attended by officials from some 70 countries, concluded that the "two-state solution" is the only way forward to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and warned against unilateral steps by either side. In their final communique, conference participants said they "call on each side... to refrain from unilateral steps that prejudge the outcome of negotiations on final-status issues, including, inter alia, on Jerusalem, borders, security,... Full story
WASHINGTON-American victims of Palestinian terrorism are applauding Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson's criticism of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and are urging him to press the PA to take specific anti-terror steps. During his Senate confirmation hearing Jan. 11, Tillerson said that while the PA has renounced terrorism, "it's one thing to renounce it and another thing to take serious actions to prevent it." He also said Palestinian leaders have to do "something to at least interrupt... Full story
(JNS.org) U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a bill that seeks to cut off funding for the United Nations until U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israel’s settlement policy, is repealed. The bill—titled “The Safeguard Israel Act”—will cut off funding to the U.N. until the president certifies to Congress that Resolution 2334 has been repealed. “Twenty-two percent of the money to fund the U.N. comes from the American taxpayer,” Graham said. “I don’t think it’s a good investment for the America... Full story
Choices 2017, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's annual women's philanthropy event, is an evening to socialize, catch up with old friends and make new ones, all while supporting the local Jewish community. But one of the many "bonuses" of attending is that you could walk away with one (or more) of the valuable prizes offered in the Choices Raffle. This year-so far-the Federation has secured more than $8,000 worth of raffle prizes, ranging from artwork to hotel/dining packages to teeth... Full story
Amy and Eric Geboff are leading a trip to Israel, sponsored by Congregation Ohev Shalom, and the community is welcome to participate. The Ahavat (love of) Yisrael trip will take place June 12-22 and was given this name so that participants can fall in love with the land and understand why we need to support it. The itinerary is subject to change based on the makeup of the group. This trip is for everyone. We have empty nesters to school-age families and everything in between! Here is just a taste of some of the things planned: Walk along the ro... Full story
Join SPARK, the Women’s Division of JOIN Orlando, at the luxurious Reunion Resort for an amazing weekend to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect along with other Orlando Jewish women on Feb. 24-26. The weekend will be jam packed with amazing programming and will feature the gourmet catering by Shaike of Miami, renowned guest speakers Lori Palatnik and Yaffa Palti, yoga, fitness classes, food demonstrations, a Saturday Night party celebrating SPARK’s first year and much more. Reunion is a spacious, luxurious resort with a boutique spa, three sig... Full story
JFS Orlando is in immediate need of volunteers for a variety of projects. Whether you are recently retired, in need of scholarship hours or have extra time during the week to lend a helping hand—JFS Orlando has the right opportunity for you. Please contact Development Coordinator Amanda Benedit at 407-644-7593 for information on how to join JFS Orlando’s Volunteer Program.... Full story
It’s been clear for a long time that there is little difference between the character of terrorist attacks in Israel and those in the West more broadly. Trucks ram into crowds—as they did in Nice, Berlin and Jerusalem. Terrorists blow up or shoot up nightclubs—as they did in Orlando, Tel Aviv and Bali. Knife-wielding Islamists dash into venues from shopping malls to police stations stabbing anyone in reach—as they did in Minnesota, Brussels and, yes, Tel Aviv. Compared to 15 years ago, there is a much greater empathy with Israel’s existenti... Full story
By the time you read this column the Inauguration may be over. Like it not Donald Trump is your president. Even if you claim he is not your president—he is. If you continue your citizenship in America he is your president. I heard and read reports of people who said they would leave the United States if Trump were elected president. How many have left or when are they leaving? Don’t let the door hit you on the behind when you leave. Actually, that’s not the attitude to have. The correct attitude is, “Come on people now love one another,” or som... Full story
Well, what happens if they don’t? This month, a bunch of Europeans and others walked into a room in Paris to decide what actually had already been decided in 1947 and discussed continually since then: That the best solution for the Holy Land of Israel was to whack it up into two states: One for the Jews, one for the Arabs. As we all know, all the way back in ’47, the Jews agreed, the Arabs did not. The distinguished gentlemen at this latest meeting represented the U.N., a number of nations, a sprinkling of Arabs as well as John Kerry who, by... Full story
By Christine DeSouza As of this writing, there have been three bomb threats called in to the Maitland Jewish campus since Jan. 4. This campus was not singled out. Jewish community centers in 17 states also received threats the same day on Jan. 9. It is pretty obvious that some one or some group of people is actively seeking to intimidate Jewish communities across the United States. Thank goodness all the threats were false. However, with each call, the police with their bomb-sniffing dogs came immediately. The streets were closed off. Twice... Full story
For those who did not see this Channel 9 Investigative report there was a Radical Syrian cleric—Sheikh Mohammed Rateb Al-Nabulsi, who openly calls for the death of Jews and gays—speaking in Central Florida earlier this month. Al-Nabulsi found a welcoming home at the Islamic Society of Central Florida (Imam Musri’s Mosque), AlBir Mosque in Kissimmee, Islamic Society of Pinellas County Mosque, and an Embassy Suites Banquet Hall in Tampa for the American Muslim Leadership Council of Tampa. Al-Nabulsi wrote a paper called “Lesson 35: Ruling... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—On Jan. 18, 2015, Argentine terrorism prosecutor Alberto Nisman was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head in what was almost certainly murder, not suicide. Whoever murdered him didn’t just want to kill him but rather his body of work. They wanted to bury the revelations he was about to make the very next day in front of the country’s Congress. Nisman was in charge of investigating the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish center that killed 85 people, making it Argentina’s deadliest terrorist attack. He assembled compell... 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 Israe... Full story
We need touch. We need the comfort, the connection and the security. Touch has powerful emotional benefits. The power of touch is profound. It is the first language that we learn and our first sense to develop. Touch is a form of communication that does not need words to express the intention. Whether the touch is to share a joyous moment with someone or perhaps soothe any fears or anxieties, the touch is meant to convey a "sense of worth." For me, when I touch an elder that I visit through the... Full story
Marilyn Macklin's story as told by Gloria Green "My Jewish Roots" Workshops, sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Orlando (JGSGO) continue in February with the workshop: "The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe." If you've seen Neil Simon's brilliant comedy, "Brighton Beach Memoirs," you will likely remember the character Kate saying "Max Green will be at our table. He's the one whose wife died of 'tuberculosis' (said in a whisper)." Imagine looking into your family history and... Full story
By Stephen M. Flatow Remember John Howard Griffin's 1961 book "Black Like Me," about a white journalist who posed as an African-American in order to experience what life was like for blacks in the South? An American journalist recently undertook a Palestinian version of that experiment. Hearing complaints about Israeli checkpoints that supposedly restrict the movement of Arabs in Judea and Samaria, filmmaker Ami Horowitz of Fox News decided to see for himself. He hired a Palestinian driver and,... Full story
It warms my heart... When former POTUS (President of the United States) surprised former VP JOE BIDEN with the Presidential Medal of Freedom "With Distinction," I felt so good. Joe Biden has always been a favorite of mine. His kindness and caring shines through inspite of the many tragedies he has endured in his life. I want to thank him for his years of service to our country. Our 44th was the first black president; Our 45th is our first orange (& yellow) president. (Is orange the new black?)... Full story
Have you found yourself searching and scouring the internet for senior services? No doubt, you will find all you need and much more. Perhaps, you may have started out looking for home delivered meals, but then stumble upon assisted living options. Maybe mom and dad should move to senior living, you ask yourself. Maybe the family ought to pursue estate plans and financial arrangements with a lawyer or a financial expert. The Senior Resource Specialist at the Orlando Senior Help Desk has helped hundreds of callers navigate their way through the... Full story
On Dec. 23, 2016, Congregation Ohr Chayim had their Chanukah dinner with songs and prayers at Providence Independence, and a beautiful Challah was made by Rabbi Arthur Grae in the shape of a Chanukah menorah. Elaine Grae is shown here with the Challah. There were 25 attendees and everyone had a great time. The next event will be Congregation Ohr Chayim's Tu B'Shevat Seder on Friday, Feb. 10. Services this year will be held on the first and fourth Fridays of the month.... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-Saul Kaye never wanted to be a "Jewish blues" player. In his opinion, the Jewish music he had heard growing up in Northern California's Bay Area ranged from "really bad to horrible." In 2009, he was touring as a rock musician, playing hundreds of shows a year with various bands at bars and clubs. And though he had never been very religious, he experienced a bad breakup and felt the need to do something spiritually "radical." So Kaye decided to take a Talmud course at the Mayanot... Full story
