Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Articles from the August 26, 2016 edition


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  • President Rivlin welcomes new Olim-including two Orlandoans

    Aug 26, 2016

    TEL AVIV-A group of 233 Olim (new immigrants) landed in Tel Aviv on an El Al Boeing 777 chartered by Nefesh B'Nefesh to begin their new lives in Israel, including 75 Lone Soldiers who will become Israeli citizens and volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Two of the Lone Soldiers are locals-Roni Weil, daughter of Aaron and Sharon Weil of Maitland, and Ben Brent, son of Rene Brent of Lake Mary and David Brent of Israel. The flight was facilitated in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of...

  • Hadassah launches Coalition for Women's Health Equity

    Aug 26, 2016

    Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA), announces the launch of the Coalition for Women’s Health Equity, which will work to address inequities in quality of care, funding and support, and gaps in women’s health awareness, according to Hadassah National President Ellen Hershkin. The inaugural members of the Coalition include: American Association of University Women American Heart Association Black Women’s Health Imperative Breast Cancer Fund Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership of Drexel University College o...

  • Keith Dvorchik is the new JCC CEO

    Aug 26, 2016

    The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando has named Keith Dvorchik as its new chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1. Dvorchik joins the Maitland-based center after three years as the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. While in Seattle, Dvorchik established and reestablished a portfolio of programs, by setting the direction and raising the funds necessary to make those programs possible. Prior to his tenure in Seattle, Dvorchik served for 15 years...

  • Lutheran Church rebuked by UN

    Aug 26, 2016

    NEW YORK-UN Envoy Laurie Cardoza-Moore has condemned the American Lutheran Church for demanding the U.S. to stop sending aid to Israel until a Palestinian State is established and Jews cease building in the biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria. Cardoza-Moore, who represents the World Council of Independent Christian Churches (WCICC) at the United Nations and is president of Proclaiming Justice to The Nations (PJTN), speaks for over 44 million congregants who know their Bible and perceive the...

  • Tisha B'Av service at Isaiah Peace Wall drew a crowd

    Aug 26, 2016

    Despite heat-index temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, 80 hardy New York area residents gathered for the annual Tisha B'Av prayer service at the UN's dramatic Isaiah Peace Wall on Aug. 14. Behind police barricades draped with a large Israeli flag and dozens of signs expressing prayers for the security of Israel and Jewish communities across the Diaspora, including the threat of the BDS movement, Rabbi Avi Weiss led the Mincha service, as Cantor Irving Ruderman led the prayers and read from...

  • Strengthening Jewish continuity with Birthright alumni

    Aug 26, 2016

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Israeli-American Council (IAC) and the Orthodox Union’s Bring Israel Home (BIH) program announced a new initiative to strengthen Jewish continuity: the IAC will welcome more than 100 Birthright Israel alumni from the BIH program, along with Israeli soldiers, as part of its third annual National Israeli-American Conference, taking place Sept. 24-26 in Washington, D.C. The alumni will participate in the event’s wide range of programming, including a special Shabbaton experience and sessions with thought leaders from Israel an...

  • Google: 'Palestine' never appeared on our maps

    Aug 26, 2016

    (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org)—Internet giant Google on Thursday clarified that, contrary to recent reports by a Palestinian group, it had not removed the “Palestine” label from its maps application. A statement by the Forum of Palestinian Journalists, posted on its website on Aug. 3, condemned “the crime carried out by Google in deleting the name of Palestine. We call on Google to rescind its decision and apologize to the Palestinian people.” The statement, posted on the group’s website, stated, “The move is designed to falsify histo...

  • Campaign to raise $40 billion for day school students

    Aug 26, 2016

    Based in E. Windsor, N.J., the Endowment Fund for School Choice announced it is open for business. Aaron Sears, president of the Endowment Fund, explained that “The Endowment Fund’s goal is to provide every Jewish Day School student with a $10,000/yr voucher.” The Endowment Fund is requesting the public’s support to make this goal a reality. The vouchers would apply to day school students across the United States. The Endowment Fund for School Choice is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. In New York City, Jews have recentl...

  • JGSGO Launches "My Jewish Roots

    Aug 26, 2016

    A Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando Workshop Roadshow Start on a family discovery journey with the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) as it launches “My Jewish Roots—a JGSGO Workshop Roadshow”. Join in for all 10 workshops, coming to locations throughout the Orlando metro area or participate over the Internet. Each participant’s family discovery journey will include directed hands on labs that will lead to extending their family tree—adding newly discovered ancestors and living cousins. The first “My Jewis...

  • St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society 451st year

    Aug 26, 2016

    Jack A. Frisch, PhD, retired professor of anthropology at Wayne State University and SUNY Plattsburgh will help the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society mark the 451st anniversary of the founding of the first European city in what would become the United States. Professor Frisch will speak at a special event, Thursday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room of the Old Ponce de Leon Hotel, 74 King Street at Cordova Street on the Flagler College Campus. The evening will be dedicated to understanding Conversos in the New World, focusing on Jews...

  • Explore bereavement and healing through a Jewish lens

    Aug 26, 2016

    The Jewish Pavilion and VITAS Healthcare will offer a Grief Support Group for people who have lost spouses, children, parents or loved ones. This is a six-week program that will meet every Wednesday beginning Oct. 19-Nov. 23, from 10:30 a.m. - noon. The Support Group will be led by Rabbi Maurice Kaprow and held at Oakmonte Village 1021 Royal Gardens Circle Lake Mary, Fl. New time and new location Rabbi Kaprow is a retired U.S. Navy chaplain and now a chaplain at VITAS HealthCare and has led...

  • Orlando Chapter of Hadassah opens the 2016-2017 season

    Aug 26, 2016

    The summer is winding down and that means its Hadassah time again. Throughout the 2016-2017 season the Orlando Chapter will offer unique programs comprising a variety of subjects relating to women everywhere. The first meeting of the new season will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom where Rabbi David Kay will bring his musical stylings to the stage with his one-man show. Rabbi Kay is an experienced entertainer, having performed in an original rock band, acoustic duo, and as a solo act prior to pursuing the...

  • Dancing 'til the end of music

    David Suissa|Aug 26, 2016

    When I was in my late teens, I listened to the second side of the Beatles’ Abbey Road album, pretty much every day for three weeks in a forest about an hour north of Montreal. I was living in a tent with other Jewish wannabe hippies at Camp Bnai Brith, and the camp leaders allowed us to have a turn table outside our tent, where we could spin our vinyls at will. It’s hard to imagine living my life without the second side of Abbey Road. On my way to visit my son at Camp Ramah the other day, I played it in my car, a few times over. Every note is...

  • Meaning of an Olympic snub

    ZOA staff|Aug 26, 2016

    An Israeli heavyweight judoka named Or Sasson defeated an Egyptian opponent named Islam El Shehaby Friday in a first-round match at the Rio Olympics. The Egyptian refused to shake his opponent’s extended hand, earning boos from the crowd. Mr. Sasson went on to win a bronze medal. If you want the short answer for why the Arab world is sliding into the abyss, look no further than this little incident. It did itself in chiefly through its long-abiding and all-consuming hatred of Israel, and of Jews. That’s not a point you will find in a long art...

  • What to do?

    Ira Sharkansky, Letter from Israel|Aug 26, 2016

    Not much of anything. This is a time for watching and waiting. The biggest crap shoot is in the United States. Currently it seems wisest to bet the nickel on Hillary, and a dime or even a quarter that the stay-at-homes will have more votes than any candidate. If the bet on Hillary wins, we can assume more of the same from the government she will be leading. If Donald wins, all bets are off. Picking his direction defies the odds-makers. There is a lot going on elsewhere. The Israeli government and its security services should continue investing...

  • Paging Amb. Ira Forman: Synagogue attacked, world is silent

    Stephen M. Flatow, JNS.org|Aug 26, 2016

    If a bomb was thrown at a prominent synagogue in Brooklyn, the media would treat it as front-page news and politicians would rush to condemn the assault. But watch what happens when Palestinians throw a bomb at a prominent Jewish holy site and synagogue in Israel: editors bury the story, and politicians are focusing their attention elsewhere. On Aug. 7, a Palestinian terrorist hurled a bomb at the Tomb of Rachel, near Bethlehem. The building contains a synagogue, a study area and, of course, the burial site of one of the Jewish biblical matriar...

  • Why Tim Kaine is good for Israel and Jewish values

    Ben Cardin|Aug 26, 2016

    (JTA)—American Jewish voters have naturally voted for Democratic candidates because it has meant voting to support strong social justice and a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. Hillary Clinton and her vice presidential choice, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, will continue Democratic action on economic and educational opportunities, retirement security and quality, affordable health care, and especially Israel’s security and Middle East peace. The Clinton-Kaine ticket promises to build upon a strong tradition of Democratic leadership. Clinton has...

  • How Mike Pence supports traditional Jewish values

    Elliot Bartky and Allon Friedman|Aug 26, 2016

    (JTA)—With the presidential race heating up, a number of progressive Jewish commentators have portrayed the Republicans’ vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, as a conservative extremist opposed to Jewish beliefs and values. As officers of the only statewide, grassroots Jewish and Israel advocacy organization in Indiana—who also have had the privilege of working closely with Pence and other Indiana legislators of both political parties to pass important pro-Jewish, pro-Israel legislation—we dispute this inaccurate portray...

  • What's Happening

    Aug 26, 2016

    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...

  • Ben-Gurion University Institute tackles water shortage, hygiene in developing countries

    Maayan Jaffe Hoffman, JNS.org|Aug 26, 2016

    Israeli water experts believe by 2050, almost half of the world's population will live in countries with a chronic water shortage. What's causing the shortfall is population growth, which leads to a greater demand for food, increased pollution and climate instability, according to Prof. Noam Weisbrod, director of the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR) in the Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. In Israel's Negev Desert, which has long...

  • Bat Mitzvah - Hadyn Emma Shear

    Aug 26, 2016

    Hadyn Emma Shear, daughter of Jana and Evan Shear of Longwood, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. Hadyn is in the seventh grade at Lake Highland Preparatory School, where she is in the student government, a cheerleader, and a member of the middle school lacrosse team. Her hobbies and interests include hip hop dancing, playing lacrosse, snow skiing, going to the beach, traveling, and socializing with friends. She is...

  • 'Last'-ing photos

    Aug 26, 2016

    "We at the Jewish Pavilion want to share with you a fact," said Program Director Judy Procell (shown in the picture with a resident). "That fact is that often the photos we take of the residents are the last photos taken of them. It is one of those 'bittersweet' moments and thoughts for us to process." The Shabbat and holiday visits brought to assisted-living residents by the Jewish Pavilion bring smiles to the elders and all the volunteers cheerfully provide food, fun and fe...

  • 'Musical Shabbat' at Brookdale Island Lake

    Aug 26, 2016

    When Ruth Sandweiss called the Jewish Pavilion office to offer her time and musical talent, the staff knew the residents of Brookdale Island Lake would be thrilled to have her. Sandweiss is shown here with her longtime friend Claire Mercer, former president of the 39ers senior group at The Roth Family JCC. Sandweiss has been playing piano for the Honorable Menschen choral group for several years. In no time at all she had a large group of seniors singing and clapping along at Shabbat. Come join...

  • Apricot Pistachio Babka Recipe

    Miri Rotkovitz|Aug 26, 2016

    (The Nosher via JTA)—Babka is having a major moment, and why not? There’s lots to love about the loaves of twisted dough, generously interspersed with a filling that usually involves lots of chocolate. Many professional bakers behind babka’s renaissance are working with laminated doughs—yeasted dairy doughs turned with lots of butter. I thought about doing the same, but the challenge of creating a delicious pareve babka made without margarine won out. I couldn’t shake thoughts of my grandmother’s love of apricots, so I built the filling around...

  • Scene Around

    Gloria Yousha|Aug 26, 2016

    I am in shock... I just received the following letter from the WJC. I am in shock! "Recently, the World Jewish Congress launched a petition campaign urging Google Germany to remove the lyrics below by the neo-Nazi Kommando Freisler from their song 'In Belson' that was widely available on YouTube, including in Germany. (I warn you. It is upsetting to say the least.) "Here are some of the translated lyrics of the song. 'In Belsen, in Belsen, they hung there by the neck. Fidiralala, In Buchenwald,...

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