Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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On Nov. 23, 2014, four Conservative Congregation's Men's Clubs came together to honor an individual from each synagogue for their outstanding leadership in their efforts to provide service to their shul, their Men's Club and their community. There were 259 people who attended the event, which was called the "Man of the Year" and was held at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. The four Conservative synagogues in Central Florida to join in the event were: Congregation Beth Am, Longwood; Temple... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)-Alan Gross was imprisoned while trying to connect Cuba's isolated Jewish community to the wider world. The deal that got him released five years later may do just that and much more. Gross' flight home to suburban Washington, D.C., on Dec. 17 with his wife, Judy, was part of a historic deal that overturns more than five decades of U.S. policy isolating the Communist island nation helmed by the Castro brothers. "We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to... Full story
ORLANDO-Jewish National Fund (JNF) is proud to announce the appointment of Debbie Meitin as president of JNF's Board of Directors in Orlando. "Debbie is a strong leader for JNF and for the Jewish community in Orlando," said Laura Abramson, JNF Orlando campaign executive. "She works diligently on behalf of the people and land of Israel. As president, her passion and vision for the campaign year will be an inspiration that will take JNF to the next level." Meitin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and... Full story
On Feb. 8, 2015, Rabbi David Kay will be honored at Congregation Ohev Shalom's annual gala. This year's event, Java and Jazz, will commemorate Rabbi Kay's 10 years of service with not only Congregation Ohev Shalom, but to the Greater Orlando community as well. Rabbi Kay came to Orlando in August 2004, as the first assistant rabbi of Congregation Ohev Shalom. Ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in May 2002, he also received his MA in Jewish education. During rabbinical school,... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)-I've been JTA's Washington bureau chief for 11 years, but this was the first time I scored a coveted invitation to the annual White House Chanukah party. A Washington tradition started by President George W. Bush, the party has actually expanded (to meet demand) to two: one in the afternoon and one in the evening. This year's mood was particularly festive, given that the parties were on Wednesday, the same day that Alan Gross was released from five years in a Cuban prison.... Full story
(JTA)-For many Cuban Jews-the majority of whom now live in the United States-it has been a bittersweet week. Like countless Jews around the world, they cheered the release of Alan Gross, the American Jewish telecommunications contractor who had been held in a Cuban prison for the last five years. But then there's the matter of reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana. For those old enough to remember the most brutal years of the Castro regime, the idea of rapprocheme... Full story
This holiday season, a philanthropist best known for giving out free books to children is mailing a quarter of a million tzedakah boxes to the same children-and more-to encourage and spread the spirit of generosity and giving. And the local PJ Library families will be receiving this generous gift. Harold Grinspoon launched the project at the holiday season because it is a time when families of different faiths try to teach their children about charity, fairness and justice. "Generosity of... Full story
On Jan. 9, 2015, Congregation Sinai will celebrate Shabbat with a new concept—Shabbat Unplugged, a folk music Shabbat. On this Shabbat, the congregation will have a short Kabbalah Shabbat service followed by folk music and songs from the 1960s, such as Peter, Paul and Mary; Bob Dylan; and The Mamas and the Papas. “Remember Woodstock?” asked Peter Sobel, a congregant member. “Well, bring your beads and your tie-dyed shirts and you best friends with their beads and join us for lots of fun!” Dinner will be served prior to the service. Cost for... Full story
It was not just another Camporee for Boy Scout Troop 641. One hundred and forty-two Boy Scout Troops from around Central Florida attended the Camporee at Camp LaNoche in Paisley in December. Maitland's own Troop 641 placed third overall in the weekend's competitions. The Scouts took first place in two of the eight physical challenges at the "Toughest Scout Games" at the Central Florida Camporee. Three new scouts joined in the fun and learned a lot from the older scouts in the Troop. Boys ages... Full story
We live in an age of clichés. They surround us, influence us, often controlling the way we speak and think. They are nefarious in their ability to suck meaning out of important statements and events. And they are, in general, dead wrong (which, by the way, is a cliché.) A few painful examples: If you work hard you can achieve anything. Dreams really do come true. If you’re not first, you’re last. Which goes with winning is everything. True love. Love at first sight. You’re comparing apples... Full story
In the 1920s, Vladimir (Zev) Jabotinsky traveled through Eastern Europe trying to warn Jewish communities of a coming disaster. His was a lone voice in the wilderness. Jews knew of pogroms under the czar of Russia who was now gone. They were aware of the extreme anti-Semitism of the Catholic Church, which seemed to be under control. They lived mostly in the shtetls, the little towns or villages surrounding the large cities of the time. Those who lived in the cities such as Budapest in Hungary or Warsaw in Poland lived a fairly good life. They... Full story
Jews have had a Diaspora at least since the middle of the sixth century before the Common Era. During the time of the Second Temple, a substantial number, perhaps even a majority, lived outside of the Judean homeland. The Jerusalem-centered Diaspora figures in Christian anti-Semitism, via the episode of Jesus overturning the tables of the money changers. The story features elements of Jews whose concern for money competes with what should be sacred. The reality was that money changers were essential to the religious rites. Jews came for the... Full story
It’s an article that’s more than 10 years old now, but I still maintain that anyone who wants to get an insight into the dynamics of anti-Semitism in France would do well to consult “France’s Scarlet Letter,” published by the journalist Marie Brenner in the June 2003 edition of Vanity Fair. In that superlative piece, which had at its core a profile of Sammy Ghozlan, the Jewish ex-cop who started his own agency to monitor and expose anti-Semitic incidents, Brenner provided fascinating insight into the class divisions that streak the French Je... Full story
(JTA)—A former Clinton administration envoy has let the cat out of the bag on the issue of Palestinian incitement, putting him squarely at odds with Secretary of State John Kerry. Shibley Telhami was one of the Clinton administration’s representatives to the Trilateral U.S.-Israeli-Palestinian Anti-Incitement Committee. Never heard of it? That’s because after meeting a few times in 1999-2000, the committee stopped functioning. Now we know why. In a Washington Post Op-Ed on Dec. 6, Telhami revealed that the committee hit an impasse becau... Full story
“What will you tell the president when you see him?” was my daughter Eva’s first reaction when I told her I’d been invited to the White House Chanukah party (Actually, it was her second reaction. Her first was, “Take me!”). Kids are innocent that way. They don’t realize that when you have over a hundred people crowding the leader of the free world, it’s not so easy to get in a word edgewise. But I got lucky. It’s not what I told the president that mattered, it’s what I heard him say when few people were paying attention. After the president... Full story
MORNING AND EVENING MINYANS (Call synagogue to confirm time.) Chabad of South Orlando—Monday and Thursday, 8 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 Israel—Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-647-3055. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26 Lig... Full story
Chanukah celebrations at the Jewish Academy of Orlando began on Tuesday, Dec. 16 with an outstanding Chanukah play presented by the fifth-grade students, who did an excellent job telling the Chanukah story to usher in the holiday celebrations. The teachers and staff truly helped make the students shine Next stop, Broadway! The following day, the students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando had a great day celebrating Chanukah with their annual Maccabiah Games. Inspired by the ancient Maccabees... Full story
Bernard Lowitz of Clermont, passed away on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at the Mike Conley Hospice House in Clermont. He was 90 years old. Mr. Lowitz was born on Dec. 13, 1924, in Brooklyn, to the late Louis and Dora Goldberg Lowitz. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Central Europe during World War II. After the end of the war, he graduated from college and began his career in the liquor sales business. He married the former Anita Psachie and together they raised their family in New York, relocating to the Orlando area i... Full story
Shirley Robbins of Oviedo, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at her residence. She was 90 years old. Mrs. Robbins was born in New York, New York, on Oct. 11, 1924 to the late Louis and Rose Hoffman Chaiet. After high school in New York, she attended and graduated from Hunter College and later earned her master’s in education from Long Island University. Following her marriage her late husband, Dr. Albert Robbins, she was a first-grade teacher in New York for many years. They were married for 54 years when he passed away in December 2010. T... Full story
Eleanor Rosenman of Altamonte Springs, passed away on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Florida Hospital—Orlando. She was 90 years old. Mrs. Rosenman, a native of London, England, was born on May 9, 1924, and was one of four children born to the late Harry and Alice Spencer. A college graduate, she was a homemaker following her marriage to her husband, Allen, who survives her. Mrs. Rosenman is also survived by her sons, Kenneth of Hollywood, Fla., Harry of New Jersey, and Michael of Altamonte Springs; daughters, Alice McNeece of Maitland and Helen S... Full story
CLERMONT-The Jewish Friends Club of Kings Ridge and Temple L'Chayim hosted a Clermont Chanukah party that was open to the entire community on the first night of Chanukah. There was a special Chanukah candle lighting ceremony performed by Cantor Isaac Kriger, and Rabbi Howard Schwartz of Temple L'Chayim. This annual celebration was a terrific opportunity for the community to join together and to learn about Jewish tradition, history, culture and heritage. Almost 150 attendees of all ages,... Full story
Erin Alexa Yoffee, daughter of Randi and David Yoffee of Altamonte Springs, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on January 10, 2015, at Congregation Beth Am in Longwood. Erin is in the seventh grade at Teague Middle School where she is a member of Advanced Chorus and the National Honor Society. Her hobbies and interests include acting, photography, fashion, traveling, socializing with friends, and pop, rock and Indie music. Erin spearheaded a toy drive for cancer patients at Nemours... Full story
"Sand in my shoes... " "Sand from Havana... " Remember that song? (I used to perform it.) Mazel tov to ALAN GROSS on his recent release (after 5 years) from Cuba. Surely it was a Chanukah miracle! "Father of the Nuclear Navy"... HYMAN GEORGE RICKOVER was a United States Navy admiral who directed the original development of naval nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of Naval Reactors. In addition, he oversaw the development of the Shippingport Atomic... Full story
The following is excerpted from "Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents' Tailor" (Regnery) by Martin Greenfield with Wynton Hall. Greenfield, an 84-year-old Holocaust survivor, owns and operates Martin Greenfield Clothiers in Brooklyn, NY. The Heritage is running this excerpt in two parts because of its length. I made a vow: If I survived Buchenwald, I would return and kill the mayor's wife. The first time Martin Greenfield took up needle and thread was at Auschwitz, to mend... Full story
While most Jews joined in the celebration of the eight days of Chanukah (which fell between Dec. 16 and Dec. 24 in 2014), the Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers celebrated more than most. Throughout the month of December the Pavilion's four program directors and countless volunteers brought Chanukah festivities and lit the (electric) menorah in more than 50 assisted living and nursing homes in Greater Orlando, bringing Chanukah cheer to hundreds of residents. Each celebration offered a little... Full story
