Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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As Central Florida’s senior population grows, the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services and Orlando Senior Help Desk have become vital pillars of support for both seniors and their families. Rooted in Jewish values of compassion, respect, and community, these organizations offer critical resources that promote dignity, connection, and care for aging individuals. A legacy of compassionate care For over 25 years, the Jewish Pavilion has been dedicated to serving seniors throughout Greater Orlando. It p...
(JNS) - On Oct. 7, 2023, the world witnessed what Hamas terrorists are capable of, as armed Gazans gleefully bragged about their ability to torture, murder, mutilate, burn alive, rape and kidnap unarmed civilian children, women and men. And the world saw the unthinkable murderous scenes and reacted. And the reaction was wicked. On Oct. 8, 2023, the truth began to come out loud and clear. The central truth was that anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, global antisemitism was lying so close to the surface,...
This is the story of two Polish Holocaust survivors from Poland, united by despicable tragedy and strengthened by the love for the children they raised. Yakov "Jacob" Kazimierek, was born in Mlawa, Poland on Dec. 10, 1926, one of the seven children of Abraham and Hannah (Granaska) Kazimierek. The family farmed and raised cattle, which they milked or slaughtered. After Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 thousands of the country's Jews were subjected to the Nazis' persecution, terror, and...
Heritage introduces a new columnist, Steven Cardonick. We hope you will enjoy his twice-a-month column. Steven Cardonick is a veteran lounge singer, impressionist, and stand-up comedian. He took his love of singing and passion for Jewish identity to a storefront Fort Lauderdale synagogue where he was welcomed as a cantor. Then came an invitation to study for the rabbinate and ordination in 2002. His writing experience naturally includes that of his stage shows but also regular columns for...
Arthritis affects many seniors, causing pain and limited mobility. Exercise can help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Family caregivers play a vital role in encouraging tailored exercise routines, enabling loved ones to stay active and healthy. Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for arthritis sufferers: • Reduces Joint Pain and Stiffness: Activities like walking, swimming, and tai chi can ease discomfort and improve flexibility. • Improves Flexibility: Stretching exercises enhance joint flexibility and range of motion. • I...
(JTA) - An endless Passover seder takes center stage in "One Little Goat: A Passover Catastrophe," by writer Dara Horn and illustrator Theo Ellsworth, award-winners who teamed up for a humor-filled, time-travel graphic novel for young people. The tale of an epic seder - it drags on for six months - joins a new crop of children's books with Passover themes, from a based-on-a-true-story retelling of a Pesach celebration on Mt. Everest to a look inside President Barack Obama's White House seder, a...
When I speak to groups and describe Susya, I often mention that there is no common crime. They seem incredulous. In this day and age, how can such a thing be possible? Growing up in the U.S,. a child of the 1980s, I remember all too well the faces of kidnapped children posted on milk containers. We'd see them every morning as we ate our breakfast. The warnings about kidnappers were constant. "Don't take candy from a stranger" and the ever-popular "don't talk to strangers," and we girls were...
For many, Passover planning begins the day they sift through bags of Purim goodies. Then faced with the inevitable panic, especially this year, when seder falls on a Saturday night, they have to get organized. Israelis usually do not have to deal with two-day holidays, but that’s what makes this year different from most all other years. Outside Israel, Jews get a three-day holiday bonanza. JNS consulted with professional organizers and event planners to help readers get a leg up this year for Passover cleaning, shopping, and getting ready f...
Make your own Haggadah with your kids. We included a paragraph history of each side of the family of where the ancestors were born and how and when they came to the U. S. The kids can be assigned to draw pictures of the different parts of the Seder or decorate the pages of the book. I found physical items to represent the 10 plagues like plastic, insects, cows, etc. and made pictures of those items that that were more complicated. Each child was assigned to present the item at the appropriate time during the Seder. The children helped prepare s...
I had two sons and a son-in-law who had Passover birthdays. I developed Passover birthday cakes for them that didn’t taste like cardboard. Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting Double quantities for two layers. 3/4 cup Passover approved oil 1 cup matzo meal 1 cup walnut or pecan meal 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt Grated zest of 1 large orange plus 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 3 large eggs, separated, plus 3 egg whites 3oz. Passover semisweet chocolate coarsely chopped chocolate (1/2 cup) Brush bottoms of two 8...
(JTA) - As the most exciting time in college basketball begins, Jewish coaches are in the spotlight. For much of the season, four coaches - Auburn's Bruce Pearl, Duke's Jon Scheyer, Florida's Todd Golden and USC's Lindsay Gottlieb - have been at or near the top of the game. And on Sunday, all of them were rewarded with No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Division I men's and women's college basketball tournaments. Each tournament has four regions, with sixteen teams each. And in this year's men's...
(New York Jewish Week) - Opening a kosher restaurant in New York City wasn't always in the cards for Raif Rashed, a Druze from the village of Usfiya in northern Israel. But as Rashed, the owner of Taboonia - a new Druze restaurant in the Garment District that's currently seeking kosher certification - will be the first to tell you, sometimes life can take an unexpected turn, especially after a tragedy. An engineer by trade, Rashed, 40, moved to Hackensack, New Jersey, in 2019 to take a job at...
How can I manage medications from multiple doctors? Managing medications from various healthcare providers can be challenging, especially for seniors who often visit multiple physicians and specialists. This situation, known as polypharmacy, involves the use of multiple medications simultaneously and can lead to potential issues such as unnecessary medications or harmful drug interactions. Here are some strategies to help you manage your medications effectively and ensure your doctors are well-informed. Maintain a Comprehensive Medication...
March 18th was a warm summer-like day in the Southern Hevron Hills. When Pastor Roger Diaz of Fellowship Church in Winter Springs, Fla., called me telling me the group had just left Kiryat Arba, I got myself into gear and packed up my water and gun. My son drove me to the Ancient City of Susya, which is a mere five-minute drive from modern Susya, my home. I arrived just in time. The bus was beginning to unload passengers and I recognized Roger Diaz and a few other congregants, too. For the past...
(JNS) — There have been many powerful films about the Holocaust, so if one opts to create a new one, one must “bring something new to the conversation,” according to the Israeli-American director Lior Geller. Geller told JNS that the new film “The World Will Tremble,” which he wrote and directed, “is a story that wasn’t told before, and I think it’s important to make it as accurate as possible.” The film centers on Michael Podchlebnik and Solomon Weiner, who fled the Nazi death camp Chelmno in German-occupied western Poland on Jan. 19, 1942....
(JNS) — The Islamification of the West began long ago with Arab and Islamic attacks against infidels, especially the Jews. By the beginning of this century, anti-Zionism characterized the new antisemitism. Israel became the scapegoat of the world for the crimes of their persecutors. In the last quarter-century, Israel and the Jews have faced large armies, as well as well-funded and relentless propaganda. It has simultaneously been defamed and sanctioned in every language; anti-Israel resolutions and reports have been issued by student b...
(JNS) — Despite an expected cut of 10 percent to his ministry’s budget, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer remains hopeful about the future of immigration to Israel. “Aliyah is incredibly important to the future of Israel, and overall we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of immigration files opened since the Swords of Iron War began from many countries,” Sofer told JNS. “Aliyah builds the next chapter of our nation’s history, helps define our identity, and improves our national resiliency. We will continue to encourage a...
(JNS) — Before discovering the story of Joseph and Rebecca Bau, who married secretly in the Plaszow concentration camp during the Holocaust, Deborah Smerecnik never imagined that she would make a film. “It was the love story that drew me in and the fact that there were so many miracles,” she told JNS. “I’m very much a believer in miracles, and I wanted to tell a redemptive story that encourages people to hold on and persevere.” Smerecnik, who wrote the 2024 film “Bau: Artist at War,” devoted some 15 years to the project, which she admits she...
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone density, which affects millions of Americans and can lead to fractures with life-altering consequences. Scheduling a DEXA scan is a crucial step in assessing bone density in key areas like the hips and spine. This painless procedure helps in early detection and management of osteoporosis. To combat osteoporosis, two types of exercises are particularly important: muscle-strengthening and weight-bearing activities. Muscle-strengthening exercises include weight lifting, resistance-band...
(JNS) — Two Israeli pizzerias made the Top 50 Pizza list in the Asia-Pacific region for 2025, the influential guide recently revealed. The pizza industry guide, which divides its rankings into several categories, such as Europe, America and Asia, held an awards ceremony at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Tokyo on Monday. The “New Entry of the Year 2025—Solania Award” went to NeoPolitan in Haifa, ranked at 25th place. Piedra from Jerusalem made the 37th place in the Asia-Pacific list and was awarded the best kosher pizza in the world....
(JTA) - "No Other Land," which chronicles Israel's demolitions in Judea of Masafer Yatta, won the Academy Award for best documentary feature. Taking the stage at the Oscars on Sunday night, two of the film's four co-directors - an Israeli and a Palestinian - used their acceptance speeches to call for Palestinian rights and a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "About two months ago I became a father, and my hope to my daughter: that she will not have to live the same life I...
(JTA) - Adrien Brody nabbed an Academy Award Sunday for his portrayal of an architect in "The Brutalist," marking the second Oscar for the Jewish actor. Mikey Madison, who is Jewish, also won best actress for her role in "Anora," which won best picture. Both of Brody's best actor wins came for portrayals of Holocaust survivors. In 2003, he received the best actor for his performance in "The Pianist," in which he played Władysław Szpilman, who was among a handful of Jews to survive the Warsaw g...
Named after the villain, Haman, of the Purim story about Queen Esther saving the Persian Jews from extermination, the pastry now comes in many forms. Originally, it was named from the medieval poppy-filled pastry "mohntaschen," in German, poppy is "mohn" and "tash" is pocket. The name for German Jews became "hamantaschen," close to Haman's name. The triangles were supposed to represent Haman's hat, or some people say his ears, but Tirso De Molina's play, "El Sombrero de Tres Picos," talks about...
(JNS) - This year, as we have done for decades, my husband and I will celebrate Purim with a sumptuous meal and copious amounts of good drink. It'll be nothing compared to the 180-day banquet that Queen Esther is said to have hosted after the Jews of Persia were saved from Haman's evil plans, but it will be festive. And keeping with today's exhaustive list of medical advisories about food, it will probably be heart-healthy. Purim isn't exactly the time when we look forward to reshaping our diet...
Purim is a time for spiels, hopefully funny productions that recount the tale of the disobedient Vashti, the wise Mordecai, the nefarious Haman, the beautiful Esther, and the misogynistic Ahasuerus. As always, it will have a happy ending with the villain (BOO!) getting his due and the heroine saving the Jews as well as her marriage (Yay!) I've had the privilege of being in several spiels over the years, but the most life-changing occurred on March 18, 1973. A group of girlfriends and I attended...
