Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Heritage Florida Jewish News is pleased to announce the recipient of this year's Human Service Award is Loren London. Words to describe London include creator, hard worker, organizer, enthusiastic, determined, thoughtful and loving. Those are just a few of the words that paint a picture of this lovely woman whose heart is deeply committed to her family and her community. As Cantor Alan Robuck of Congregation Ohev Shalom puts it, "Some people are thinkers and creators. Some people are great a... Full story
This August, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is recognizing outstanding leaders who have made an impact in Jewish Orlando this past year. The awards presentation will be made on Aug. 24 at the JFGO Annual Meeting. Awards are given out in recognition of fantastic individuals who devote their time to make our community a better place. This year's Jerome J. Bornstein Senior Leadership Award will be awarded to Tess Wise. The Jerome J. Bornstein Senior Leadership Award was established in... Full story
ORLANDO-The Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando announces that effective June 1, 2015, the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando in Maitland (established 1973) and the Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Jewish Community Campus in Dr. Phillips (established 2009) will become separate 501c3 non-profit agencies. The JCC's board of directors voted 26-0 at the July 22 board meeting in favor of moving forward with this next phase of its anticipated plan to reorganize its corporate... Full story
Jews around the world were inspired last month when Arab-Israeli teenager Mohammad Zoabi cloaked himself in an Israeli flag and spoke into a bedroom video camera, "I am an Israeli and will remain an Israeli. Israel will remain a Jewish and a democratic country." What few realized is that within days after the video went viral, Israeli police arrested three men in his own family for plotting to cause him harm in retaliation for the piece. His cousin, Arab Knesset member Hanin Zoabi, called her... Full story
AMSTERDAM (JTA)-A few hours before he departed Amsterdam for Australia on July 17, Ithamar Avnon was praying for peace with his parents at their home in the Netherlands. That evening, pro-Russian separatists shot down Avnon's flight, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew. Avnon, 26, was the sole Israeli national on board. The son of a Dutchwoman and an Israeli who became a Christian evangelist, Avnon loved peace because of how well he and his... Full story
If someone needs to get something done in Casselberry, call Sandi Solomon. Running for her third term as Casselberry city commissioner seat 3, Solomon has that rare ability to see what needs to be done and gets it done. Eight years ago, Solomon retired after 35 years of teaching elementary school in Seminole County. Wondering what she was going to do, she took a month-long trip to Israel. It wasn't her first trip-she's been four times-and probably won't be her last. In fact, she says, "If I coul... Full story
Temple L'Chayim, a Reform congregation in Clermont, has engaged the services of Rabbi Howard Schwartz and Cantor Isaac Kriger to lead the congregation for this year's High Holiday services. The two clergy will provide "a very special blend for the spirituality and musical enhancement of the services." Rabbi Schwartz, a native of Miami, comes to Temple L'Chayim with a wide rabbinical background. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Oh... Full story
A few weeks ago, Rabbi Yosef Konikov and his wife, Chani, had a conversation, as many Jewish people have over the last month, about what we can do for Israel. Chabad of South Orlando contacted some close friends and asked would they be willing to be the last people the soldiers see before they go to battle? Would they be the first people the soldiers see when they return? They said yes. So, Chabad has been raising money here and sending it to Israel. Their representatives on the ground, Yuda... Full story
By Tammi Rossman-Benjamin JNS.org Amid the current unrest in Israel and Gaza, Jews around the world have been targeted for attack. Virulently anti-Israel demonstrations and activities in cities across Europe and around the world have resulted in frightening anti-Jewish violence. Meanwhile, in the U.S. right now, school is out and students are safe. But there is little doubt that when the academic year commences, Jewish students on American college and university campuses will be targeted for harassment, intimidation, bullying, and worse,... Full story
I am sick of apologizing for Israel when it is Israel that really deserves an apology. I am sick of apologizing for Israel’s right to defend itself. I am sick of the word “ceasefire” when all that really means is “time for Hamas to build more rockets” while we stand by helplessly. I am sick of the UN calling this an Israeli-Palestinian War when all along it’s clearly been a prolonged terrorist attack that the IDF is courageously trying to stop. I’m sick of people criticizing Israel for killing innocent people when they have done more than any... Full story
Lots of questions Why Hamas attacked in the first place? Why it continues to attack, especially from within the time frame of the cease fire that it requested? Why has the US sided with the most radical of the Muslim governments? Why has the Israeli government dithered about escalating beyond goals not likely to achieve lasting quiet? There are no clear answers to any of these questions. The fog of war surrounds us, and we should not expect any of the players to be candid about their aims or capacities. Hamas’ motives are the most i... Full story
“Wie Gott in Frankreich leben”—“living like God in France”—was a popular Yiddish saying among Ashkenazi Jews for a long time. It suggested a certain fascination with France, implying that Jews living there are uniquely fortunate. Growing up in a traumatized post-Holocaust Germany and haunted by the imperative of “Never Again,” that rosy vision of France, despite the dark episodes of its historical treatment of Jews, no doubt played a role in my decision to make Paris my home. France, to me, was the land of the Enlightenment; human rights; liber... Full story
Editor’s note: This article was received too late for the Aug. 1 issue and Tisha b’Av was Aug. 4, but Edmon Rodman’s message here is too important to pass over just because of deadlines. LOS ANGELES (JTA)—After weeks of missiles falling on Israel and bombs dropping on Gaza, we land on Tisha b’Av. With the day-to-day images of explosions and tunnels so fresh, I wondered how they might connect to my mid-summer night’s struggle with the somber holiday’s relevance. Tisha b’Av, this year starting on the evening of Aug. 4, is a day on which we are... Full story
As the war between Israel and Hamas intensified, and Secretary of State John Kerry was meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others to try to broker a cease fire, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, while being interviewed by Sean Hannity on Fox News, proclaimed that the Obama administration was the most hostile to Israel in the history of the U.S.—something Hannity agreed with. Well, not so fast. Barack Obama may not be the best friend Israel has ever had—some say he makes Jimmy Carter look like Harry Truman—but he is probably no mo... Full story
MORNING AND EVENING MINYANS (Call synagogue to confirm time.) Chabad of South Orlando—Monday and Thursday, 8 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 Israel—Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-647-3055. FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 Light... Full story
In July, young Jews gathered at Airheads Trampoline Arena for Sunday Funday. Our Jewish Orlando hosted the event followed by dinner with a group of active 20- and 30-somethings. Sunday Funday brings together members of OJO for fun activities in the Orlando area. Powered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, OJO has been successful in bringing Orlando's next generation together for connection and conversation. Want to learn more? Visit www.facebook.com/ourjewishorlando for information on... Full story
Summer is winding down and soon the campers will all be heading back to school. The Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando had a phenomenal summer filled with field trips, swimming, singing, and a lot of memories. The fun doesn't stop at the JCC after their national-award winning camp ends. The JCC has exciting and enriching year-round programming for children, including the afterschool program, J University, for children in kindergarten-fifth grade. Children are picked up at local scho... Full story
Going back to school can be one of the most exciting times of the year. For most teens, it is a time to reconnect with friends, teachers, coaches, etc. For some students however, the thought of returning to school can lead to serious anxiety. In particular, some students that fear they will be taunted, teased, and mistreated by their peers would rather stay home than return to school. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, nearly one in three students (27.8 percent) reported being bullied during the school year. Students... Full story
Abraham Elkin of Boyton Beach passed away on Sunday July 13, 2014. He was 84 years old. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 25, 1930 to the late Alex and Anna Elkin. Mr. Elkin served proudly in the Korean War. After the war he became a stockbroker/financial advisor working for several Wall Street firms, finally retiring as a vice president with Morgan Stanley. He was married to Barbara Kallen Elkin in 1956. In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by sons Doug (Barb) of Longwood and Steve (Karin) of Weston and five... Full story
Washington Jewish Week A new Pew Research Center poll showing Republicans as more sympathetic to Israel than Democrats has left Jewish Democratic leaders searching for an explanation of the partisan gap. Conducted from July 8-14, the week Israel began its air operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip but before its ground invasion, the poll asked 1,805 respondents, “In the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, which side do you sympathize with more—Israel or the Palestinians?” Possible answers were: Israel, Palestinians, both, neith... Full story
The entire community is invited to enjoy a free bagel breakfast and live entertainment at " A Walk in the Park," a family-friendly festival on Sunday, Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m., at Crane's Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. The festivities will include activities for children such as face painting, bounce house and clowns, a health fair, vendors, a walk and prizes galore. Proceeds benefit the Jewish Pavilion. The Pavilion ensures that our elders in long-term care are not alone in the world. They arrange... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is proud to celebrate two years of menschs! At this year’s Annual Meeting, the “Mensch of the Week Hall of Fame” will proudly be displayed for the second year in a row. The mensch of the week program highlights an outstanding individual each week in the MaNishma e-blast. It’s an opportunity to recognize the hardworking community members that make Jewish Orlando thrive. Do you know a mensch? Nominate your very own “Mensch of the Week!” Email Dana Nichols at dnichols@jfgo.org with a name of someone you... Full story
"Israel is Jewish"... Is that what's behind the anti-Israel world view? The following comes from DENNIS PRAGER. (I have NOT checked out all he said yet, but present it word for word as he said it.) Quoting Dennis Prager: "Let's drop the names 'Hamas' and 'Israel' and make a list of the characteristics of two imaginary warring entities. We'll call them Entity A and Entity B. Entity A: Declares that its raison d'etre is to annihilate Entity B. Sends missiles to explode in the most populated parts... Full story
It has been six years since the economy crashed in 2008, and while finding employment has been a challenge, the tide may be taking a turn for the better-particularly in the non-profit sector. But where do Jewish non-profits fall within the current landscape, from the perspective of both job-seekers and employers? Broadly speaking, employment continues to be "a buyer's market," says Linda Wolfe, director of career development and placement at JVS Chicago, an affiliate agency of the International... Full story
RAMLE, Israel (JTA)-In her living room in the Israeli town of Ramle, Sarah says she wants a peaceful life. At 79, she deserves one. A Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor, Sarah was sent to a Nazi concentration camp in Serbia as a child, arriving in Israel at age 17. Her entire family perished in the Holocaust. Now she watches from her armchair as her family is threatened once again. Sarah-not her real name-is now a Muslim, and her daughter lives in Gaza City. "The whole city is in ruins," Sarah... Full story
