Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 32
This year, UCF's Knights for Israel was honored with the David Bar-Ilan Award for Outstanding Campus Activism. This award signified a tremendous amount of accomplishments for the organization. When CAMERA called with the great news, we understood why we were being awarded. The fact of the matter is that our presence on campus, as well as the work we do advocating, educating and celebrating the state of Israel, is effective in making the University of Central Florida arguably the most pro-Israel... Full story
The new Central Florida Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America will host the screening of the hard-hitting documentary film, "Fight of Our Lives: Defeating the Ideological War Against the West," followed by Q&A with director/producer Gloria Z. Greenfield at its first community event on June 19, 7:30 p.m., at Congregation Ohev Shalom. "The Fight of Our Lives" opens with a warning from historian Niall Ferguson, "Civilizations, empires, great powers can fall apart very fast. Collapse can... Full story
NEW YORK—Jewish National Fund revealed its new Plant Your Way website that easily allows individuals to raise money for a future trip to Israel while helping build the land of Israel. First introduced in 2000, Plant Your Way has allowed many hundreds of young people a personal fundraising platform to raise money for a trip to Israel while giving back at the same time. Over the last 18 years, more than $1.3 million has been generated for Jewish National Fund projects, typically by high school students. The new platform allows p... Full story
(JNS)—At a recent graduation of Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, novelist Michael Chabon berated the Jewish community of Hebron: “I abhor an enclave, too, a gated community, a restricted country club, or a clutch of 800 zealots lodged in illusory safety behind a wall made from the bodies of teenage soldiers, gazing out in scorn and lordly alarm at the surrounding 200,000 residents of the city of Hebron,” he said. So, here are a few points to consider in answering Chabon: While today Hebron Jews number only 800, consider that together with o... Full story
Rabbi Chaim Lipskier, co-director of Chabad at the University of Central Florida, returned home tired but happy after leading his 18th Birthright trip to Israel. More than 700 students have joined Rabbi Lipskier on the Birthright Israel; Mayanot tours over the last nine years while another 600 have gone on trips organized by Chabad of UCF. The 10-day trip travels all around the Holy Land, seeing ancient and modern sites, taking in Israel's history, culture, politics and stunning natural beauty.... Full story
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... Full story
The RAISE program for young adults with special needs is now accepting online applications for a limited number of fall positions. RAISE is a 6- to 12-month work and social skills training program offered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando that is open to all faiths and provides paid employment at our partnering Jewish agencies. In addition, RAISE assists our employees in the transition to finding employment in the community. If you know a young adult who may benefit from RAISE or you are interested in volunteering as a Job... Full story
Since school is now out and students have time on their hands, now is a good time to volunteer at JFS Orlando. It is one way to garner volunteer hours for the Florida Bright Future scholarships, plus it's a good way to spend those hot, lazy summer days. Being a volunteer is a gift you give to others and yourself. Opportunities include helping in the food pantry, babysitting, assisting in the office, community outreach and much more. Apply today at http://www.jfsorlando.org/vo... Full story
(JTA)-For nearly half a century, Elaine Holstein was periodically confronted with one of the most haunting images in modern American history: the bone-chilling picture of Kent State University student Jeffrey Miller lying on the pavement seconds after being fatally shot in the mouth by an Ohio National Guardsman during an anti-war protest. Photographer John Filo later said, "The volume of blood that was flowing from his body was as if someone tipped over a bucket." And, of course, there was the... Full story
The US condemned the Palestinians following the worst day of bombing by Gaza-based terror organizations that Israel has experienced since Operation Protective Edge, and called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the UNSC "should be outraged and respond" to the largest attacks emanating from Gaza since 2014, which are "directed at innocent Israeli civilians." Throughout Tuesday and the following night, the Gaza-based Hamas and... Full story
(JTA)—A U.S.-drafted statement condemning rocket attacks on Israel was blocked in the United Nations Security Council by Kuwait. Kuwait is a non-permanent member of the council and represents the Arab countries. It blocked the resolution proposed on Wednesday ahead of an emergency Security Council meeting called by the United States to discuss the nearly 24 hours of rocket and mortar strikes by Hamas and Islamic Jihad from the Gaza Strip on southern Israeli communities. Kuwait had circulated its own draft resolution about two weeks ago c... Full story
Every day Israel is subjected to a torrent of warnings from Democrats. “You will pay a price for your support of President Donald Trump,” we are told. “He won’t be president forever, and when he’s gone, watch out!” The basic notion, repeated over and over again is clear enough. If Israel doesn’t want to be punished by the next Democratic White House, which we are warned will make us long for Barack Obama, we’d better stop talking about the fact that Trump is the best ally and friend Israel has ever had in the White House. These warnings are no... Full story
By Mel Pearlman 2018 The diplomatic world is aglow with optimism regarding the apparent and sudden turnabout of Kim Jong Un, the North Korean dictator, as he appears to have overnight transformed from nuclear bully to a peace-loving flower. His rapprochement with South Korea and renunciation of his nuclear program has won him a summit meeting with President Trump in Singapore on June 12, 2018. Since the two heads of state share similar egotistical personalities and erratic mindsets it comes as no surprise that there would be bumps and surprises... Full story
When International Farhud Day was proclaimed at a conference convened at the United Nations headquarters on June 1, 2015, its proponents wanted to achieve more than merely establish a commemoration of the ghastly 1941 Arab-Nazi pogrom in Baghdad that killed and injured hundreds of Iraqi Jews. Farhud means violent dispossession. The Farhud was but the first bloody step along the tormented path to the ultimate expulsion of some 850,000 Jews from across the Arab world. That systematic expulsion ended centuries of Jewish existence and stature in... Full story
(JNS)—Can the Palestinians finally not miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity? That paraphrase of Abba Eban’s famous quote provides the key question to ask about the Middle East peace plan the United States is expected to unveil during the coming weeks. It’s also a point of disagreement between me, and my friend and esteemed colleague Daniel Pipes, the president of the Middle East Forum. Pipes disagrees with my May 22 column, in which I argue that the putative peace plan that will be presented in the name of U.S. President Donald Trump... Full story
Dear Editor: This defense of the indefensible is very disappointing. In response I have decided to return the Sherut L’Am award presented to me by the HUS. I have been a member of the Jewish Communal Service since 1972; a product of two Schools of Jewish Communal Service (HUC-JIR and Hornstein/Brandeis) led by Jerry Bubis z’l and Bernie Reisman z’l. One of the proudest days of my professional career was when the Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion awarded me the Sherut L’Am Award, nominated by Jerry Bubis z’l and presented b... 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... Full story
The Kremlin has given Israel a green light to launch attacks in Syria on condition that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s assets are not targeted, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Friday, according to Israel Hayom. According to the report, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu assured Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman during their meeting in Moscow on Thursday of Russia’s approval for Israeli strikes, the report said. After the the meeting with Shoigu, Liberman said on his Twitter account that “Is... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-Babka is an Eastern European yeasted cake with deep Jewish roots and also great American popularity. One of babka's most notorious moments was in an episode of "Seinfeld": Jerry and Elaine head to Royal Bakery to pick up babka for a dinner party, and when there is no more chocolate babka, they are somewhat devastated to be forced to bring cinnamon, "the lesser babka." Meanwhile, babka has been experiencing quite a resurgence in the past few years since the launch of Breads... Full story
Everyone knows that dogs make great companions. But they also make great visitors, as seniors living at the Oakmont Village in Lake Mary are pleased to discover month after month. As part of the "Licks and Hugs" program sponsored by The Jewish Pavilion, dogs provided by Pet Rescue by Judy visit residents monthly. "It's a wonderful program," noted Karen Teixeira, the activities director at Oakmonte's Sienna Memory Care community. "The seniors really enjoy the unconditional love from the... Full story
Israel Air Force aircraft on May 22 bombed an "underground Hamas terror infrastructure" in northern Gaza and two military targets that belong to the terror organization's naval force. The IDF stated that the strikes were in response to the cross-border incident that occurred earlier in the day in which a number of terrorists infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip and set a military post on fire. Palestinian sources reported that the strike on the naval target set a boat on fire. The IDF... Full story
Important to every Jew, every lover of Israel... I received this letter from the World Jewish Congress. I pass it along (with my personal comments): "Israel must continue to thrive, now and always. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel, and marvel at its remarkable and inspiring achievements (in medicine, science, etc.), this is the solemn commitment that we embody in both our thoughts and our actions. Israel is the only Jewish state. It is a... Full story
JERUSALEM (JTA)—An Israeli woman mocked a Chabad rabbi at Ben Gurion Airport as he helped another man don tefillin. The woman, whose actions were captured on a cellphone video posted on Facebook, mocked the men, laughing and screeching on Monday morning as they practiced the religious rite. She yelled at them in Hebrew to “move because you are bothering me” and asked rhetorically, “Why are you doing this here? There are people here.” Several people in the terminal asked her to tone down, but instead she became louder. The video, which has... Full story
The Jewish Community Relations Council closed out Jewish American Heritage Month by hosting the first annual Jewish Trivia Night on May 31, at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center in Maitland. Five teams competed for the "Avodet Tzevet" (teamwork) trophy. JCRC Co-chairs Dori Gerber and Michelle Zaltsberg organized the evening, which featured multiple rounds of trivia and even more laughs. "Our goal for trivia night was two-fold: to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month and to provide an... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-I first fell in love with adjaruli khatchapuri, also known as Georgian cheese bread or cheese boat, at Marani Restaurant in Queens, New York. This cheesy-carby deliciousness is basically all the comfort food you could possibly crave in one single dish: cheese, runny egg yolk and butter, all being held by homemade bread. Khatchapuri and khinkali, a dumpling most often stuffed with meat and spices, are two of Georgia's most recognizable dishes (and yes, I am talking about the... Full story
