Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Jewish Academy of Orlando second-graders raised $961 in a Fun Run to benefit a Habitat for Humanity house. The students later visited the house and presented the check to the organization. The annual program at JAO begins with a cross-curricular study of economics. Students learn about the three basic human needs: food, clothing, and shelter, while also learning the differences between a want and a need. They build their own model houses and conduct a Fun Run to raise money to support Habitat... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)-An increase in anti-Semitism, an intensification of anti-Israel activity and decades of neglect have created a crisis in the Jewish community relations field, according to the umbrella group for Jewish public policy organizations, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. In reports published this week at its annual Washington meeting, the group urged a radical shift among its constituent Jewish community relations councils, which advocate for Jewish issues on behalf of the Jewish... Full story
Congregation Ohev Shalom and members of the Orlando community will gather together at the Shabbat service on Saturday, March 9, and at the evening Gala on Sunday, March 10, to honor and celebrate Rabbi Aaron Rubinger's many accomplishments and show the community's heartfelt appreciation for his more than 28 years of service as Congregation Ohev Shalom's rabbi. Anyone who has attended a service led by Rabbi Rubinger may very well have come away with the impression that he was practically born in... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—President Donald Trump called on Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., to resign from Congress for what he said was her anti-Semitism. “It’s terrible what she said and I think she should either resign from Congress, or she should certainly resign from the House Foreign Affairs Committee,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. “What she said is so deep-seated in her heart that her lame apology, and that’s what it was, it was lame and she didn’t mean a word of it, was just not appropriate. I think she should resign from Congress.” Om... Full story
Noted Jewish genealogist Lara Diamond will share her compelling experiences and extensive knowledge of DNA and genealogy on Sunday, March 17, noon, at the next Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando meeting. The event will be held at the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland. Diamond ‘s 25 years of genealogy research in her Jewish ancestry enabled her to find fascinating tales of her progenitors. She has thousands of people who read her blog, and follow her on social media. The meeting is f... Full story
With the growing popularity of "The Samuel Project," a heartwarming story that re-connects three generations of family, the film is returning to Florida theaters for an encore release March 1, 2019 at many more venues. To encourage families to attend the film together, two grandkids under the age of 14 can attend for free when accompanied by a grandparent. Theaters in the Orlando/Daytona area include: Regal Pointe Orlando 20, Regal Oviedo Mall 22, and Regal Pavillion 14 in Port Orange. Directed... Full story
Once again, one of the most exciting parties of the year is coming March 27-The Roth Family JCC's biggest party of the year-the J Ball. Themed "Discover the J," attendees will enjoy a "prehistoric party" in J-Rassic Park at the Orlando Science Center, while honoring Stuart and Joann Farb for their decades of commitment to the JCC. Also to be honored is Judy Galkin, who has worked tirelessly at the Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center for 33 years. She will be presented the Harriet... Full story
ACT for America Central Florida Chapter is hosting a panel discussion on “Political Islam and Western Culture” on Wednesday evening, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at Fellowship Church, 5340 Red Bug Lake Road in Winter Springs. Panelists Pastor Roger Diaz, Dr. Jonathan Matusitz and Rev. Bruce Lieske will explore political Islam’s challenges adjusting to the economic and cultural power of a dominant West, and what issues are confronting Islamic governance and our constitutional republic in the modern globalized world. Follo... Full story
(JNS)-The Jewish National Fund was left scrambling to apologize to the son of a former Japanese diplomat who saved the lives of approximately 6,000 Jews during the Holocaust, after a memorial grove of trees planted in his honor was flattened to make way for apartment buildings in Beit Shemesh without any notification. Trees were planted in memory and in honor of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese "Oskar Schindler," who violated orders from his government to issue thousands of visas from Lithuania to... Full story
(JNS)—The United States is expected to recognize a Palestinian state with its capital in eastern Jerusalem as part of its highly anticipated peace plan to solve the 70-year-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an informed source hearing from top Trump administration officials told JNS. The so-called “deal of the century,” which is expected to be released after Israel’s elections on April 9, will include U.S. recognition of Palestine with contingencies, according to the source, who was not provided the specifics behind the conditions. The capital... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—AIPAC sounded relieved by the substantive Democratic backing in the Senate this week for a controversial pro-Israel bill initiated by Republicans. The Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act (S.1), which the American Israel Public Affairs Committee said “contains critical pro-Israel provisions,” passed 77-23, earning yeas from every Republican but one, Rand Paul of Kentucky. It codifies $38 billion in defense assistance to Israel and provides legal cover to states that target the boycott Israel movemen... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)—Rep. Ilhan Omar picked a funny week to tweet about the power of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Last week, the Senate passed a bill that targets the boycott Israel movement. The 77-23 vote was a nice win for AIPAC, which backed it, but also held some worrying news for the pro-Israel lobby. While Republicans were nearly unanimous in their support, Democrats were mostly split: 25 for and 22 against. Even if you were able to erase AIPAC from the picture, it’s not clear how much the landscape would change. Israel is a p... Full story
We watched a Netflix program the other night titled “Mossad.” It consisted of interviews with mostly former Mossad agents and executives. At one point the interviewer asked “Why is the Mossad pictured in so many nations as a bunch of assassians and terrorists? With a slight smile, the ex-agent said “look—we are a different country. We are surrounded by nations who for the most part would like to destroy us and wipe every Jew off the face of the earth.” Can you name another country faced with this problem? No. And the problem of course, ext... Full story
By Mel Pearlman Betty is a very ordinary American name. The Betty I am writing about was born more than 91 years ago in the small scenic town of Ruskova, nestled in the Carpathian mountains in the Southeast corner of Romania. Ruskova was for the most part a peaceful town where Jews and their gentile neighbors got along very well. Betty’s father worked for the railroad in the next town down the road, where the railway station was located. Life was pretty uneventful for Betty and her family in her early childhood days. Then beginning in 1940, B... Full story
(JNS)—It’s a familiar refrain. Critics of Israel aren’t content to merely bash the policies of the government of the Jewish state. As part of their indictment, they allege that Israeli politics is conducted in a racial manner. The accusations start with claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used racist rhetoric against Arab voters in 2015. The latest charge has been lodged against Netanyahu’s principle opponent in this year’s election, former Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff General Benny Gantz. He is accused of basing hi... Full story
(JNS)—Freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minnesota is only part of the story of the colonialist settling of anti-Semitism in the highest echelons of the American democratic power system. Her financial support from CAIR, an unindicted co-conspirator in a terror financing trial, a group she raised money for, is readily available for those who seek information. And they’ve begun right now generating financial support for her 2020 campaign. Her disingenuous disguising of her BDS support was published. Her obvious anti-Semitism is not new. But... 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
In the classic movie "Dirty Dancing," Jack Weston's character Max Kellerman, the owner of the fictional Catskill resort, laments the changes down the road. "[I]t all seems to be ending. You think kids want to come with their parents and take fox-trot lessons? Trips to Europe, that's what the kids want.... It feels like it's all slipping away." The heyday of the Catskills have ended, but the memories of those resorts remain with those who shared those summers as staff and guests. "This was our Ca... Full story
Jewish Teen Education & Engagement Network for professionals has officially launched! JTEEN's mission is to serve as a national organization of Jewish teen education and engagement professionals networking to strengthen knowledge and skills, encourage innovation, develop and share curriculum and resources, and positively impact Jewish teen life in the 21st century. JTEEN has officially acknowledged and embraced the reality that Jewish teen educators and engagement professionals have more... Full story
The holiday of Purim is a favorite of young and old, a festive celebration that's known for over-the-top fun. For Jewish Pavilion staff, volunteers and seniors, Purim celebrations are one of the most enjoyable parties of the year, with eye-catching decorations, costumes, noisemakers and refreshments. Crowds of non-Jewish residents and staff of the senior facilities, as well as visiting representatives of Pavilion sponsors, join in and get into the spirit, and everyone has a great time. Pavilion... Full story
One of my greatest fears... I know getting old is not the greatest, but at least I want to grow old gracefully, and I want to recognize my loved ones and friends. You guessed it. One of my greatest fears is developing Alzheimer's disease! But reading about the following has given me much hope. Read on: "Alzheimer's Disease, affecting some 47 million people worldwide, for now remains an irreversible and fatal brain disorder... but... a Bar-Ilan University (Ramat Gan, Israel) brain researcher is d... Full story
This is part 4 of a four-part series. While ultimately the Israeli voters will make their choice on April 9, there are any number of external factors that could influence the election’s outcome, including things like a war and increased terror, the anticipated Trump Peace Plan, diplomatic achievements including high profile state visits, and countries moving their embassies could play significant factors, among others. As the incumbent, Netanyahu has the benefit of making and hosting international state visits between now and the election. I... Full story
Submitted by the family Charles B. Rosner, 85, of Kissimmee, Fla., passed away Feb. 6, 2019. He was our dad—a man of ageless stories and quip answers that made one think then laugh, and he most always brought the discussion back to his hometown of Brooklyn, N.Y. When he wanted something simply explained, he asked for it in “Brooklyn English.” He loved his family very much and worked hard to see his two daughters graduate college. He was a wonderful husband to his wife, Phyllis, who he met 60 years ago on a beach. They honeymooned in the Borsc... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-Mandy Silverman remembers being scared of the kitchen as a child. "There was a constant joke in my house growing up that I would mess up instant iced tea," she recalled in a phone interview with JTA last month. But a quick glance at her Instagram feed reveals how things have changed. Her more than 15,000 followers have come to rely on her to post photos of mouthwatering and whimsical challah creations with flavors such as red velvet and marshmallow hot chocolate. Since starting Ma... Full story
(JNS)—In response to U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s latest anti-Semitic tweets, some groups have already called for official action against her by the U.S. House of Representatives, similar to that against Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) over his remarks on white nationalism. On Sunday, Omar accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the largest pro-Israel lobbying organization, of paying members of Congress to back Israel. “Anti-Semitism in any form is unacceptable, and it’s shocking to hear a Member of Congress invoke the anti-Semitic trope o... Full story
