Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 26 - 38 of 38
This is the phrase my mother often used when talking about the Holocaust. I wish I could tell her that I finally truly understand what she meant and how she felt. This past July, the Holocaust Center sponsored its first Jewish Heritage Tour to Poland and Prague. Thirty people joined me on an emotional 10-day journey of reflection and remembrance. At our recent reunion we each shared a memory that stood out from all the rest. By far the most meaningful experience I had was visiting the Treblinka... Full story
In a few days, Jews around the world will celebrate Rosh HaShanah the Jewish New Year. While it is not a celebration comparable to the January 1 New Year, Rosh HaShanah is a time when we review our deeds from the past year with the hope of improving ourselves in the year to come. It serves as an annual reminder that we must constantly work at becoming better people not just at this time, but throughout the year. The traditional greeting—L’shana Tova Tikatevu—May You Be Inscribed in the Book of Life for a Good Year—speaks to our profound desire... Full story
Upon eating an apple dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah, the following prayer is recited: "May it be Your will, Adonai our G-d, and G-d of our ancestors, to renew for us a good and sweet new year." Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines the word renew as (1) to make (something) new, fresh, or strong again; (2) to make (a promise, vow, etc.) again; (3) to begin (something) again especially with more force or enthusiasm. Renewal. This is exactly what has taken place at the Jewish Academy of Orlando... Full story
September The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando announced $50,000 in collaborative community grants to 11 Central Florida programs and services. An additional $10,000 in grants was awarded to Federation’s JTEN. Robert Petree, deeply committed to Israel and the Jewish community, died. He was 82. October After serving as Boy Scout Troop 6’s chaplain for seven years, Brian Collins of the Dr. Phillips community was presented the Shofar Award at the Court of Honor. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces hosted a performance by IDF soldiers hel... Full story
When The Jewish Pavilion raised funds for the elder-care community with "A Walk in the Park" and then "A Taste in the Park," Pavilion annual member and volunteer, Dolores Indek, was right there, showing her support by purchasing memorial signage to honor a loved one. Indek made a yearly donation at each fundraiser, memorializing her beloved parents while helping the Pavilion with its mission to bring Jewish life and connection to residents of Orlando's senior living communities. "Dolores Indek... Full story
On Yom Kippur Day, Wednesday, Oct. 12, starting at 4:30 p.m., High Holiday services at Temple Israel will be open to the community (no tickets required) beginning with the afternoon prayer service of Mincha. All prayer services will be held in the main sanctuary. Following Mincha at 6 p.m. there will be a community memorial service at which time all are invited to remember in prayer loved ones who are no longer with us. This service will also recall those who have perished throughout the ages. In addition, there will be a special remembrance... Full story
JFS Orlando recently received a $30,550 grant from the annual Community Investment Grant Round at Central Florida Foundation. The grant will be used to establish a computer lab to be used by JFS Orlando clients and assist in agency technology upgrades. The computer lab will provide a place for clients to research and apply for job opportunities, write resumes and conduct employment workshops. “We are undergoing major renovations at JFS Orlando and this new computer lab will play a large role in our ability to better serve our community,” sai... Full story
(JTA)-A stabbing and car-ramming epidemic in Israel that some called a third intifada was among the most dominant Jewish stories of the past year. But 5776 was also notable for the release of spy Jonathan Pollard after 30 years in prison, the communal fallout from the Iran nuclear deal, a historic (and unfinished) agreement on egalitarian worship at the Western Wall and continuing clashes between pro-Israel students and the BDS movement on college campuses. Below is a timeline of the Jewish... Full story
There is a lot of beauty to the traditional synagogue experience. However, a traditional High Holidays service just does not speak to some-especially many young adults. "Buying seats for the High Holidays is super expensive," says Rachel Moses, a marketer for a Jewish non-profit from Mt. Washington, Md. "It also just doesn't feel like it's my place." If you think like Moses-considering skipping the tickets, and celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur outside the traditional four walls of your f... Full story
(JTA)-Some people take great pride and pleasure in planning their Rosh Hashanah menus for weeks or months in advance, chugging away at kugels and cakes and soup to put in the freezer. I know my grandmother and Aunt Ruth both did their High Holidays cooking all summer so they would be "ready." But not everyone cooks for 20 people or enjoys the toil and preparation of holiday cooking for weeks on end. And for those people, this simple menu is for you. Traditional Jewish New Year flavors of apple a... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)—I just bought Rosh Hashanah tickets for the first time ever. The last time I attended services for the High Holidays was on my parents’ dime. That was back before the World Wide Web, when Ross Perot heard a giant sucking sound and the voice of a generation was named Sir Mix-a-Lot. My reasons for fleeing synagogue services are in many ways typical among so-called unaffiliated Jews, including the interminable length and inaccessible liturgy of the ceremonies. Some of my reasons for return are also similar to others, such as bec... Full story
RICHARDSON, Texas (JTA)—Urbandictionary.com is an open-source site where the average citizen contributes definitions to new and old words and slang. As the High Holidays approach, I’ve been contemplating the phrase “epic fail.” According to one entry on Urbandictionary.com, epic fail means “complete and total failure when success should have been reasonably easy to attain.” Epic fail defines most of the sins I contemplate during the High Holidays. I should have been able to succeed, but I didn’t because I’m human and I have weaknesses. I s... Full story
By Penny Schwartz (JTA)-Get ready: 5777 is arriving soon. And a new Jewish year means a fresh crop of top-notch Jewish books for kids. This year, not one but two new Rosh Hashanah books are penned by Eric A. Kimmel, the master storyteller whose popular award-winning children's classics include "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins" and "Simon and the Bear." His latest entries, "Little Red Rosie" and "Gabriel's Horn," are among the new crop of lively and engaging Jewish children's books for the High... Full story
