Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 34
Harris Rosen, the veteran hotelier whose visionary philanthropic efforts have transformed the lives of countless Central Florida residents for decades, recently was honored for Lifetime Achievement in the Orlando Business Journal's inaugural Diversity in Business Awards. During an Oct. 26 event at the Hilton Orlando, the prestigious business publication saluted Rosen as the first recipient of an award for individuals "who have devoted a major portion of their professional lives to enhancing the...
(JTA)—More than 2,000 handmade Stars of David were hung throughout Pittsburgh. The stars, created by more than 1,000 volunteers from around the world, were hung on Saturday by 40 volunteers. Each star—some crocheted, some made with leather—had a heart in the center. The stars were the brainchild of Hinda Mandell and Ellen Dominus Broude, who created the Facebook page Jewish Hearts from Pittsburgh in response to the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue building in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood that left 11 worshippers dead. The page calle...
The Kinneret Council on Aging (KCOA), a nonprofit agency that provides ongoing programs and services to residents of Kinneret Apartments, has announced the honorees for their 2019, 8 over 80 Gala to be held on Sunday, March 3, 2019. “This is our community’s premiere event honoring older adults and we are truly inspired by the number of outstanding individuals, who continue to contribute to our community and promote the Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam,” said Lynn Fenster, 8 over 80 chairwoman. “This event celebrates the spirit of older adults,...
Sandra Solomon, formerly of Casselberry, was recently honored at a special meeting of the Casselberry City Hall Board of Commissioners. Solomon served 12 years on the board as a commissioner, filling seat 3, and was retiring after her term limit was completed. Tenacious, passionate, an inspiration, personable, full of vim and vigor, and Casselberry's No. 1 cheerleader were all descriptive words spoken by the board members of Solomon at the ceremony. "What we love about Sandi is that she puts it...
(JNS)—With Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson conceding his re-election bid on Nov. 18 to Republican Gov. Rick Scott, the state will have its first Jewish governor on an interim basis for five days when Scott is sworn into the Senate on Jan. 3, 2019. Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, a Republican who will also become the Sunshine State’s first Cuban-American governor when Scott becomes senator until former Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis, a fellow Republican who defeated Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in a contentious race, is sworn in as...
(JTA)—A 181-year-old rule banning Congress members from wearing hats of any kind could be overturned in order to accommodate a newly elected Muslim lawmaker who wears a headscarf called a hijab. Some Jewish groups are supporting her efforts, which would enable Jewish lawmakers to wear a kippah. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who won election this month, is a co-author of the proposal. She became one of the first two Muslim women to be elected to the House of Representatives. Rashida Tlaib, who was elected to serve in Congress from the D...
JERUSALEM (JTA)—Airbnb will remove listings of rooms and homes for rent in West Bank Jewish settlements, the company announced Monday. The approximately 200 listings “would be removed in the coming days,” the company said. Airbnb said in a statement that it consulted with experts to learn about the historical disputes in the region in order to make a decision about whether it should be doing business in “the occupied territories.” The statement did not say which experts it consulted. The company arrived at a framework for evaluating how to tr...
(Israel21c via JNS)—Israeli NGO, IsraAID, is sending an emergency response team to California to help communities affected by the unprecedented fires that have killed 80 and destroyed more than 13,000 homes and buildings. Some 1,200 people are still listed as missing. The two blazes broke out 10 days ago in both Northern and Southern California, and quickly spiraled out of control. The Camp Fire, which wiped out the town of Paradise in Butte County (population 27,000), is already the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history, t...
(JNS)—It’s not every day that Israel decides not to vote with the United States at the United Nations. It happened, however, on Nov. 13, when the two countries wound up on different sides when the U.N. General Assembly’s Third Committee held its biannual vote on a resolution that discouraged member nations from using the death penalty. The United States was one of 36 nations opposed to it. Israel was among the 123 countries that voted in favor of the motion. While it must be nice for Israeli diplomats to not, for a change, be the focus of the U...
I was born into what was known as the “Sha, Still” generation. Jews, who had been in the U.S. since long before the Declaration of Independence, still did not want to call attention to themselves in the 1930s. The fear of a backlash and stronger displays of anti-Semitism if Jews became too visible, too successful, was the order of the day. Lynchings were still taking place (the last one in Central Florida was in 1941). A Catholic priest by the name of Father Choughlin was preaching anti-Semitism on hundreds of radio stations. As we have poi...
More than a week ago, the police recommended indictments on a half-dozen of prominent Israelis. The issue concerned the purchase of submarines and other warships from Thyssen Krupp a German firm in the port of Kiel. Involved in the police recommendation were a cousin and attorney of the prime minister, a former head of Israel’s Navy, and several others who held positions close to the top. Details were supplied by a confidant of them all, who had provided information, including recordings, that linked them to maneuvers that moved Israel’s pur...
(JTA)—I don’t mean to get mushy about what for tens of thousands of people was a miserable night—and certainly won’t complain about an ugly snowstorm when dozens have died in California wildfires—but Thursday night’s “Snowvember” taught me a lot about the kindness of friends and strangers and the strength of Jewish community. In case you don’t happen to live in the center of the universe, a recap: New York City and environs were expecting the first snow of the season Thursday afternoon. The predictions were for two to three inches, with slop...
(JTA)—When Stan Lee died on Nov. 12 at 95, he left behind a vast legacy. Between 1961 and 1969, his greatest sustained burst of creative activity, he co-created a vast array of iconic characters, including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Avengers, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Black Panther, Daredevil, Nick Fury, Doctor Strange and Falcon. Lee raised the bar for superhero storytelling. He created characters who had godlike powers, but who were painfully human nonetheless. They were relatable because of their flaws and foib...
(JNS)—The Arab world has so far been indifferent to the political crisis currently plaguing Israel. This may indicate that the Arabs simply expect the next Israeli elections to bring about more of the same with respect to the makeup and balance of power in the government, but it also seems that many Arab rulers are in no rush to see a change in the nature of the Israeli government. The messiah may not be coming anytime soon, but we are in the midst of a golden age in term of Israel’s relations with the Arab world. From the Persian Gu...
Dear Editor, Once again, you have published articles on your editorial pages from writers, including absolutely no identification of their affiliation, organization, etc. It helps immensely to know the background and perspective of the writer when we read an article. As an example, in the Nov. 9 issue, there is an article by Norman Berdichevsky, with no reference point at all. What is his position, location, organization, etc.? In the Nov. 16 issue you have an article by Caroline Glick, previously published in the Jerusalem Post. No information...
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...
Join Congregation Ohev Shalom’s Men’s Club for a Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour of the opulent historic homes and estates nestled among swaying palms, towering cypress trees and sub-tropical flowers along the shores of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. After the cruise join the men at Dexter’s for a chef-inspired menu that includes both vegetarian and fish options. The event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 16, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Scenic Boat Tours dock in Winter Park at 312 E. Morse Blvd. The boats will depart promptly at 5 p.m. Three boats are r...
Congregation Sinai helps the community celebrate all Jewish holidays with special events, educational programs and services. Congregation Sinai has been serving the Jewish Community of Central Florida since 2003. Numerous services and annual events will be open and free to the entire community. All of the Congregation Sinai classes are open to the general public. Jewish Youth Education: Sunday School at Congregation Sinai is now open for registration and in session every Sunday throughout the...
Lenore Roland was invited to be a guest speaker at the annual RAISE Meet & Greet, held Sept. 27, when new RAISE employees and their families are welcomed. She is the mother of a former RAISE employee, and a professional writer. At this introductory meeting of the RAISE program, you may be feeling a rush of emotions—optimism, fear, hope, uncertainty, and excitement. That’s not unusual when your dream for the future becomes a powerful possibility, one that can change the direction of your and your family’s life. The RAISE program educates and tra...
(Kveller via JTA)—While Chanukah is a favorite on the Jewish calendar, there is no holiday as dangerous with its open flames, boiling oil and sharp graters for making latkes. So we’ve compiled these helpful tips to help you minimize the risks and have a safe and bright Festival of Lights. Menorah safety tips: Don’t leave your menorahs unattended. Never leave a room where a menorah is lit. Either wait for the candles to go out, or put them out yourself if you need to leave the room or house. Put your menorahs on a nonflammable surface. If you’r...
It takes very special people to devote themselves to befriending and uplifting seniors in living facilities who might otherwise be forgotten, and Judy Suberman and Susan Bernstein are two of those people. They will be recognized at this year's JP Connections, the Jewish Pavilion's annual luncheon and holiday bazaar for volunteers and members. Suberman grew up in Orlando, and her way of connecting with seniors began at an early age. Her mother's mom, who at a relatively young age had suffered a...
It's taken six years, but former Orlandoan Brian Feldman is finally bringing the project that started it all to the District of Columbia. And not to just one venue, but all eight Wards (charities). Unlike anything ever seen in D.C. history, "The Feldman Dynamic: 8 Wards of Chanukah," is an unprecedented reality theater event featuring Feldman's actual family: Mom, Marilyn Wattman-Feldman; Dad, Edward Alan Feldman; and sister, Adrienne McIntosh and the family cat (take allergy medicine if you...
Oy Vay... (There's no other way to put it.) According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there has been a "spike in hate crimes." And according to the World Jewish Congress, "rising levels of physical violence, harassment and intimidation against Jews, including the desecration of our synagogues, schools, monuments and cemeteries. There are attacks against our history, culture, and sacred rituals, including laws seeking to ban Kosher slaughter and male circumcision. There is biased,...
(The Nosher via JTA)-Each Jewish holiday has its iconic food: For Passover it's the symbolic matzah; for Rosh Hashanah it's sweet honey and new fruits. For Purim we get the delectable hamantaschen; and for Chanukah it's oil. That purified olive oil, used to rekindle the iconic seven-branched candelabra that was eternally lit in the grand Temple in Jerusalem, has shown up in modern times in our Chanukah lamps and in our foods. Jews from North Africa traditionally ate some form of fried pastry or...
Larry Oskin of Art Beautique offers a unique virtual art gallery with Judaica artwork and a professional fine art photography service in Central Florida. For years, many Jewish homes, temples and community facilities have been challenged with creating a unique environment that celebrates Jewish life, traditions and culture. With seven very diverse Art Beautique Collections, Oskin celebrates Judaica & Religion, Flowers & Nature, Cityscapes & Seascapes, Animals, Americana, World Capitals, and...
