Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 26 - 36 of 36
Everyone had fun when UCF Hillel students visited residents of Kinneret on Sunday, Oct. 8, to celebrate Sukkot. "It was a joy and pleasure to see how happy this made the residents," said Sharon F. Weil, KCOA director of programming and development. The students and residents built a pop-up sukkah; made tiny sukkahs; sang songs with a guitarist; and said the blessings over the etrog and lulav. All this while enjoying each other's company, laughing and sharing stories together.... Full story
"The Trust," By Ronald H. Balson, St. Martin's Press In 2013, Ronald H. Balson debuted his first novel, "Once We Were Brothers," an originally self-published title that reached great success and instantly became an international best seller. Over the course of just a few years, Balson would come to publish two more novels featuring the same compelling characters-lawyer Catherine Lockhart and private investigator Liam Taggart-and build a dedicated readership. Balson's fourth novel, "The Trust,"... Full story
Two Republican state lawmakers in Wisconsin last week introduced legislation to prohibit businesses from engaging in boycotts of Israel as a condition of any state contract. In recent years, more than 20 U.S. states have passed legislation condemning BDS or prohibiting government business with entities that boycott Israel, with additional states—including Wisconsin—expected to follow before the end of the year. Released by State Sen. Leah Vukmir and State Rep. Dale Kooyenga, the bill is currently being circulated among both chambers for co-... Full story
BOSTON (JTA)-If New England Patriots star Julian Edelman retires from the NFL anytime soon, he clearly has a promising second career as a Jewish children's book writer. In front of about 400 children and their families Tuesday night at the Newton Centre flagship of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Boston, the 31-year-old wide receiver and Super Bowl hero read a special edition of a children's book he co-wrote last year. Unsurprisingly Edelman, who has Jewish ancestry on his father's side... Full story
Rabbi Arthur Grae of Leesburg, Fla., died suddenly after a short illness on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah 5778, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. He was 80 years old. Arthur Grae received his Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University in English literature (honors). He earned a juris doctor from New York University School of Law, and master of Law (Labor Law) from New York University School of Law. He graduated from the National Defense Language Institute Presidio of Monterey, California, as an official Chinese-Mandarin interpreter during his army... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—The Supreme Court is back in session with a full bench of nine justices, so expect more momentous decisions after nearly a year of caution. Now that the high court is back to its previous equilibrium—four solid liberals, four solid conservatives and one wavering conservative—expect all eyes to be focused on the waverer, Anthony Kennedy. And after a relatively quiet season, owing to the absence of a ninth justice following the death in February 2016 of Antonin Scalia, a conservative icon, Jewish groups are on alert as well.... Full story
(J. The Jewish News of Northern California via JTA)-A kosher winery in Northern California sustained widespread damage from a wildfire still raging along the southern part of the Silverado Trail in Napa County. Ernie Weir, owner of Hagafen Cellars, the North Bay's only kosher winery, said Wednesday that all employees are safe and the main winery building is intact, but that the fire destroyed fencing, all of the agricultural equipment, a guest house, nearly an acre of Cabernet Sauvignon vines an... Full story
Woody Allen clarifies remarks on Harvey Weinstein: ‘He is a sad, sick man’ (JTA)—Filmmaker Woody Allen clarified his remarks about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein made in an interview with the BBC. “When I said I felt sad for Harvey Weinstein, I thought it was clear the meaning was because he is a sad, sick man,” Allen said in a statement to Variety on Sunday night. “I was surprised it was treated differently. Lest there be any ambiguity, this statement clarifies my intention and feelings.” In the BBC interview published Sunday morning, Allen... Full story
CHICAGO (JTA)-Three days after a gunman killed 59 people in Las Vegas, a post in a Facebook group for Chicago Jews displayed a blurry photo of survivors fleeing the bullets. Next to it was a flier advertising ChiDefense Firearm Training with a Hebrew phrase underneath denoting that the company is closed for Shabbat. The post got a few "likes"-and plenty of hate. One commenter called it "vile and distasteful." Another wrote sarcastically that it displayed "impeccable logic." Another called for... Full story
The strict dedication it takes to become an Olympic-caliber athlete is astounding: years of practice and discipline, rising with the sun each day and putting in grueling effort. But athletes are human beings as well as national heroes, and they also like to have a little fun from time to time. Professional Israeli swimmer Guy Barnea, 30, an Israeli record-holder and 2008 Olympian, is out to do just that. And he wants to take you along for the ride. It all started with a nude swimming photo... Full story
BUCHAREST, Romania (JTA)-When the roof of the Jewish State Theater collapsed during a 2014 snowstorm, its director reluctantly knew it was finally time to abandon the century-old building in this capital city. Maia Morgenstern did not take the decision lightly. Following years of neglect by authorities, the Bucharest Jewish community had fought for decades to keep the storied theater afloat. The Jewish State Theater had been a major cultural institution for Central European Jews prior to the... Full story
