Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 31
(JNS)-In his address at the U.N. General Assembly's 73rd session on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visual in hand, revealed a hidden Iranian nuclear facility and secret missiles in Lebanon's capital. "So, distinguished delegates, you have to ask yourself a question," Netanyahu stated point blank to the Assembly members. "Why did Iran keep a secret atomic archive and a secret atomic warehouse?... The reason Iran didn't destroy its atomic archive and its atomic warehouse is... Full story
Fashion guru Coco Chanel famously said, "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off." This wasn't anywhere close to what Harriett Lake thought. Her fashion style was "once you get dressed, put on one thing more." In everything from clothing to charitable giving, Lake's philosophy, biography and wardrobe (or a portion of it) are captured in "Too Much is Not Enough: The History of Harriett's Closet," a just released coffee-table book written by Kristina... Full story
On Sunday, Oct. 7, at Flemings Steakhouse in Winter Park, there will be a "Smashed Cancer" whiskey, wine and beer event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a precursor to "Smash Cancer," which is a tennis tournament to raise funds for oral cancer screenings and Human Papillomavirus, better known as HPV, vaccinations. There will be a Smash Cancer tennis tournament at the USTA National Campus in Orlando on Saturday, Nov. 3. However, if you don't play tennis, or aren't even interested in tennis,... Full story
WASHINGTON-Continuing its efforts to adapt to the changing needs of the students it serves, Hillel International, the world's largest Jewish student organization, announced today the launch of HillelWell as part of the Hillel U professional development program during the 2018-2019 school year. With initial support through a $1 million gift from Stephen J. Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts International, Inc., HillelWell will provide resources and training to campus professionals to better... Full story
One of the most loved and respected members of Orlando's Jewish community, Byron Selber z'l, passed away at the age of 46 on Oct. 6, 1983. His 35th Yahrzeit will be 29 Tishrei which falls on Oct. 8, 2018. Byron played an important role in recruiting me to come to Orlando to head the JCC and Federation. We became best of friends and worked together on many communal efforts including starting the Hebrew Day School (along with the Zissmans, Biermans and a few other families). Even though we did... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida is pleased to announce that it is working with March of the Living, Southern Region USA to award annual scholarships to students from the greater Orlando area to be funded through the Tess and Abe O. Wise March of the Living Endowment Fund. The International March of the Living, which next year will be held from April 28-May 12, 2019, is an educational program bringing teens from around the world to both Poland and Israel to study... Full story
The COS Senior's are hosting its opening event on Sunday, Oct. 7, starting at 2 p.m. sharp. Featured are the dynamic duo of J.T. & Jen who will perform a tribute to the age of the Golden Oldies, featuring the vocals of Buddy Holly, Connie Francis, Whitney Houston, Patsy Cline and more. Admission is $10 per person. At the conclusion of the performance there will be a complimentary nosh. This even is open to the public.... Full story
Often, it is those "unexpected connections" that are made with the residents who are in our local living facilities that are the most rewarding. Such is the case of a dear couple who reside at Westminster Winter Park. Allow me to introduce ... William (Bill) and Adrienne Katz. They have been attending the Jewish Pavilion programs for years and they always welcome us with open arms and gentle hugs. They are both very active in their community and they have the most wonderful sense of humor.... Full story
(JNS)—Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic candidate running for governor of Florida, has associated with the radical left-wing group Dream Defenders, whose founder, Phillip Agnew, has ties to Ahmad Abuznaid, a supporter of the U.S.-designated terrorist group the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). This development comes amid Gillum’s opponent, Rep. Ron DeSantis, attacking the Democrat in a TV campaign ad for having “anti-Semites around him,” such as welcoming the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Two-thirds of Democrats in the Senate and a third of the entire body signed a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to reinstate assistance to the Palestinians, saying the cuts risk exacerbating tensions in the region. “Eliminating funds for programs that provide clean water, food, education, and medical services for Palestinians will exacerbate poverty, fuel extremism, further reduce the chance of a future peace agreement and threaten Israel’s security,” said the letter sent Friday and signed by 34 senators who caucus... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—A letter from 55 U.S. House of Representatives Republicans to President Donald Trump asks him to direct the State Department to allow U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem to list Israel as their birth country on their passport. “Despite the progress in moving the embassy, the State Department has not yet fully implemented the administration’s policy of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital for purposes of registration of birth, certification of nationality, or issuance of a passport of a United States citizen born in the cit... Full story
(JNS)—The international community made no secret of its contempt for U.S. President Donald Trump when he spoke to the U.N. General Assembly this week. So it was little surprise that when the president uttered a typical piece of Trumpian braggadocio with a tenuous connection to the truth—“In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country”—the response was peals of laughter from the normally restrained audience of officials in the chamber. For most of the media, this was... Full story
(JNS)—The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights recently delivered welcome news for Jewish students. OCR reopened a student-backed civil-rights case brought by the Zionist Organization of America against Rutgers University. Importantly, in deciding to reassess whether Jewish students at Rutgers were harassed and discriminated against in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, OCR stated that it will be using the U.S. State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism. This definition accurately recognizes the many ways... Full story
LAS VEGAS (JTA)—This summer, America’s Jewish youth rebelled. Or at least a very small minority of them did. But through orchestrated stunts and aggressive marketing, they garnered the headlines they sought. These youth are demanding that Israel end its “occupation,” presumably of the West Bank. They are targeting pro-Israel organizations they deem to be insufficiently zealous in opposing said occupation. They want peace. They want it now. And they know who’s to blame for its absence: Israel. This agenda is not new. It’s a throwback t... Full story
(JNS)—Yet another woman was made a widow on Sept. 16, and another four children were made orphans by the egregious act of a Palestinian terrorist, Khalil Jabarin. The victim, Ari Fuld, had simply been running an errand for his wife in a local shopping center in Efrat, just south of Jerusalem. Ari was a true fighter for Israel. He was assistant director of “Standing Together,” an organization that supports Israeli soldiers. Ari served in the Israel Defense Forces, narrowly escaped death in Lebanon. He saved his shrapnel-ridden vest as a remin... Full story
(JNS)—I feel a certain perverse pleasure in the fact that Italy is getting a taste of the United Nation’s complete brazenness and double standards now that it has announced that it will send investigators (not “peacekeepers”) in order to ascertain to what extent Italy is failing to uphold human rights. Now perhaps Italy will begin a process of re-evaluating its relationship with the world body, and stop voting or abstaining in order to please the automatic majority that solely condemns Israel. As when, on Dec. 23, 2016, former U.S. Preside... Full story
(JNS)—Contrary to conventional wisdom, U.S.-Israel relations have outgrown their one-way-street mode, evolving into a mutually beneficial two-way relationship. The United States enjoys a well-deserved, high return on its annual $3.8 billion investment in Israel, which it calls “foreign aid,” even though Israel is not like any other foreign country that receives aid from America. The strategic compatibility between the United States and Israel is underscored by the two allies’ national security orientation—allocating 3.6 percent and 4.7 perce... 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 I... Full story
COS Seniors president Who can join? Do I need to be Jewish or a member of Congregation Ohev Shalom (COS)? No to both questions. You do not need to be Jewish or a member of COS. Everyone is always welcome, regardless of religion, affiliation, age, or anything. Will there be a COS Senior’s Group for 2018-2019? Yes. I will continue as the COS Senior’s president, and have received a very strong commitment from our COS Executive Board & The Men’s Club Executive Board. They will be helping our group & supporting our programming. Is the dues struc... Full story
One of the biggest surprises of last year's Men's Night Out-which is happening again on Nov. 8 at Congregation Ohev Shalom-was the "reunion" that occurred between men who, because of work, different synagogue memberships and commitments, had not seen each other in years. Ken Davis, COS Men's Club Board member and JCC board member, summed up the evening saying there was "great food, lots of laughs, and best of all having fun with old and new friends." Michael Soll, COS Men's Club Board member... Full story
The Kinneret Council of Aging’s (KCOA) Annual 8 over 80 Honorary Dinner is designed to recognize area residents who have contributed to the betterment of the Central Florida community. Who will be the newest honorees? On Sunday, March 3, 2019, KCOA will pay tribute to eight individuals over the age of 80 who have made significant contributions in the Central Florida area and continue to live lives of remarkable achievement, vitality and civic engagement. This coveted honor is one of the most prestigious awards for older adults in our c... Full story
The High Holidays are always extra busy at the Jewish Pavilion. Staff and volunteers went to senior living facilities all over Orlando last month to bring High Holidays celebrations to Jewish residents. Many of the residents have difficulty leaving their buildings for religious services, so the Pavilion's programs are their only way of observing the holidays with other members of the Jewish community. The programs bring them the familiar High Holidays traditions and symbols such as apples... Full story
Will it ever end?... (Probably, it will NEVER end!) I read this today and pass it on to you. (Why should I be the only one depressed?): "The Israeli Journal of Foreign Affairs, a publication of the Israel Council on Foreign Relations, has released a penetrating study revealing the extent of the resurgence of anti-Semitic discourse in Poland in the wake of its controversial Holocaust Law. (The law as it stands now still stifles any real discussion of the extent to which local Poles were... Full story
TEL AVIV (JTA)-In the summer of 2011, Yuval Fenta saw two guys tossing a football on the beach in Herzliya. He asked to participate. "You're too small," they responded. A dejected Fenta retreated, but not before hearing them mention an American football league that played in Israel. Seven years later, Fenta has showed them. Now a 21-year-old running back for the Tel Aviv Pioneers, the son of Ethiopian immigrants for the past three seasons has earned the Israel Football League's Offensive Player... Full story
(JNS)—The Israel Defense Forces braced for violent clashes on the Gaza Strip-Israel border on Friday as the “March of Return” national committee urged Gazans to take part in demonstrations and disturbances along the border. Judging by past demonstrations, which have been staged on a weekly basis since late March, protesters were expected to throw rocks and firebombs at Israeli troops securing the border and try to breach the border fence and infiltrate Israeli territory. A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committee posted a call onlin... Full story