Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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(JTA) — I am a non-religious, 20-year-old Jewish student in New York City. I have not been to Israel since I was 9. I was raised in what you might call a “naturally occurring Jewish community”: Riverdale, in the Bronx. I attended Modern Orthodox schools through high school. Once I graduated, I left for Binghamton University, which boasts a massive Jewish community. It wasn’t until I transferred this fall to Hunter College, part of the City University of New York, that I left the Jewish bubble. The last month has been the worst of my life. T...
Scams After a major storm or hurricane you may get a door-to-door sales person telling you that your roof is damaged and their company can repair it after you settle a claim with your insurance company. Someone may even go on top of your roof and break a few shingles and then try to pass it off as storm damage. Another insurance fraud scenario might be when a contractor disappears. Someone may offer to remove your fallen tree but needs to rent a particular piece of equipment in order to remove it and he may ask you to pay half of the fee...
The rise in hate crimes in the U.S. related to the Israel-Hamas war is deplorable. Jews in this country are asking themselves difficult questions—should they wear a star of David or take down their mezuzah? Still others are asking if it is safe to identify themselves in public. A 6-year-old Muslim boy was killed in Chicago, and a prominent Jewish lay leader in Detroit was stabbed to death outside her home. In our own state, synagogue congregants were faced with shouts of “kill the Jews.” This is unacceptable and we must not tolerate these...
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Younger voters are less likely to back Israel, support among Democrats for Israel’s conduct has declined and Americans overall are wary of being drawn into a Middle East war. Those are three takeaways from a series of polls on Israel, the Palestinians and the war in Gaza that have been published in the more than three weeks since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. In that attack, Hamas terrorists killed 1,400, wounded thousands, took more than 200 captives and sparked a war in which Israel’s stated goal is to depose the terro...
On a train to Auschwitz, 15-year-old Eva made a promise to her brother, Heinz Geiringer. If he did not survive the camps, Eva promised to retrieve the paintings and poetry Heinz hid under the floorboards of his attic hiding place. Heinz Geiringer's story sits in the shadow of the better-known "Diary of a Young Girl." After the war, Eva became the posthumous stepsister of Anne Frank when her mother married Anne's father. While the world knows Anne's story, this film introduces Heinz, his...
(JTA) - In 1941 Sarajevo, a Muslim woman hid her Jewish friend from fascist roundups. Half a century later, that same Muslim woman was trapped in the besieged capital during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War - and her Jewish friend made sure she got out. These real events inspired "Sevap/Mitzvah," a short film directed by Sabina Vajrača that won the 2023 Humanitas Prize, among other awards, and has qualified to be considered for the 2024 Oscar for best live action short. The film has been shown across...
(JTA) - Israel's Ministry of National Security is urging parents to report any pro-Palestinian harassment their children experience on the video game platform Roblox. As Israel's war with Hamas is set to enter its fourth week, rallies and protests in support of both Israelis and Palestinians have been held everywhere from the White House to college campuses to the streets of Europe. Roblox is different because it has more than 65 million daily active users - around 45 percent of whom are 12...
The first line of the Hebrew quote is from Genesis 49:9 — “Judah is a lion’s whelp; On prey, my son, have you grown. He crouches, lies down like a lion, Like the king of beasts — who dare rouse him?” It is understood that Jacob refers to his son Judah as a lion. First as a cub, then a lion, and finally a lioness. The picture is of a lion who has taken down his prey and now crouches over it, defying anyone to take it from him. Judah will be mighty and victorious and dangerous to his enemies....
The American Jewish community is under assault. A war has been declared against us. Jews and our friends must mobilize to fight back. Jewish leaders must declare a state of emergency now. Pro-Hamas rallies directly threaten the safety of America’s Jews. Thousands of Americans, including students in universities and high schools, are marching in the streets calling for the destruction of the Jewish state. The new face of Jew-hatred is “pro-Palestinianism” embraced by intersectionalist mobs, academia, and radical members of the Democratic Party...
Eating healthy food is one key to reducing the risk of developing eye diseases. Leafy Greens: Leafy greens are a good source of zeaxanthin and lutein, which are related to beta carotene and vitamin A, which may help protect eye tissues from sunlight damage and reduce the risk of aging. Dark leafy vegetables include kale, turnip greens, spinach, collard greens, or broccoli. Strawberries: Strawberries are good for your eyes and contain plenty of vitamin C. This antioxidant may help lower your risk of developing cataracts and slow the progression...
Caregivers have must dispense medication in a safe and timely fashion. Navigating the different pill sizes, colors and dosages can be an intimidating experience. Elderly and infirmed clients may take a slew of pills that need to be doled out on a regular basis. Most medications are taken once or twice a day. It is a good idea to keep medications in a safe and secure place. Some medications have to be refrigerated, but most can be safely stored in a secure cupboard. Pharmacies have developed blister packs that link the pills with specific days...
By Christine DeSouza The film "Matchmaking" opens this year's Jewish Film Festival, and what a wonderful way to begin the series with Israel's biggest box office hit of the year! In this tale, love is blind - almost literally. The age-old matchmaking tradition in the ultra-Orthodox community now at least allows the future bride and groom to have some say in the arrangement. There are still rules to follow and staying in one's "class" (Ashkenazi, Sephardic, rich, middle class, physical imperfecti...
(JTA) - When Rome lit up a landmark this week in blue and white following Hamas' deadly invasion of Israel, it joined many other cities and countries across the globe that have bathed their most prominent buildings in the colors of the Israeli flag, including the White House, the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House. The landmark Rome chose, however, isn't its most iconic building, nor its biggest. But it does hold a special resonance for Jews. The Arch of Titus, in the city's historic...
Most people pay into Medicare through their payroll for their employment years, thinking that once they turn 65, the coverage will be free. Medicare has several expenses. High-income earners pay more in terms of copays, deductibles, and premiums. Eye Examination and Optician-Original Medicare covers ophthalmologic costs like cataract surgery, but doesn’t cover contact lenses and glasses or routine eye checkups. Some people may opt to purchase a vision insurance policy, which costs several hundred dollars annually. Hearing Aids-Medicare covers a...
(JTA) - On a night when Dean Kremer became the first Israeli-American to start an MLB playoff game - while his parents' country was at war, no less - fellow Jewish player Alex Bregman drew a Star of David on his Houston Astros hat for his own Tuesday night playoff game. Kremer, who holds dual citizenship, did not fare so well in his historic start: the 27-year-old surrendered six earned runs in just 1.2 innings, and his Baltimore Orioles lost 7-1 to the Texas Rangers in a game that ended their...
These cookies can be made ahead. This recipe makes 24 cookies and these are perfect for dunking! Line an 8x4 bread loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing it to overlap the sides for easy removal. Ingredients: 1 1/2 tsp. ground cardamon 1/2 tsp. baking soda 2 cups flour or 1 1/2 cups gluten free flour 1/2 tsp. salt 8 T. butter, cut in tiny pieces 1/3 cup water 1 T. fresh orange zest 1 1/2 cups turbino sugar or part turbino (large crystals) and part brown sugar 1 tsp. almond extract 1 cup sliced...
(JTA) - I first met Alice Shalvi, the mother of religious feminism in Israel, in the mid-1990s during a meeting of ICAR, the International Coalition of Agunah Rights, a coalition that she founded to advocate for women denied a religious divorce by their husbands. She was in her early 70s at the time and had been fighting for agunah rights for 20 years. I was in my mid-20s, and new to the cause. I was there as co-chair of Mavoi Satum, which a group of us founded in 1995. This coalition was meant...
More than 48 million Americans are caregivers. There are 50 federal actions to help those caring for older adults, including expanded home-base care for veterans and a pilot program offering help for caregivers dealing with loved ones who have dementia. The Florida State Office is fighting for legislation and policy changes on issues such as paid leave and tax credits for caregiving work. AARP helps families find local resources and tools through state caregivers resource guides which note state programs, government agencies, and tools that ass...
I have been sick for days. The criminal Islamist Iranian regime continues to threaten the world and brutalize its own people. It must be stopped. Sadly, too many Americans don't know, don't care, or are suffering delusions that the regime can be negotiated with. It cannot. America needs leaders who will not appease and enable the Iranian regime, but who will confront it, and bring it to its long overdue end. I have been sick since watching the recent Republican presidential debate. It pains me...
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida condemns the vicious and indiscriminate attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel. These attacks have resulted in the murder of hundreds of people, countless injuries, and the ruthless taking of hostages. We meet these actions with unequivocal condemnation. While we recognize the complexities of this region’s history, there is no justification for this brutal surprise attack, which undermines stability and peace everywhere. As a museum dedicated to teaching the history of the H...
(JNS) - A unique inscription written in Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament, was unearthed by Hebrew University archaeologists during excavations at the Hyrcania Fortress, about three miles west of Qumran in the Judean Desert. Paraphrasing Psalm 86, the inscription reads, "Jesus Christ, guard me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you." The first section of the original psalm reads "Lord" instead of "Jesus Christ." It was found on the side of a large...
As we gracefully age, it becomes even more important to prioritize our health and well-being. One of the most effective ways to do this is by eating a colorful diet of plant foods. Whether you’re a health-conscious senior or a caregiver seeking optimal nutrition for your loved ones, incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains can have a major impact on vitality and strength. The Power of Plant Foods Plant foods have a myriad of nutrients that are essential for our bodies to thrive. By consuming a rainbow of colors f...
Every year since 2015, my husband, Larry, and I have spent six weeks in Frisco, Colorado, a beautiful mountain town nestled in the Rockies. Our rented condo is a two-minute walk to my daughter, Julie, and her family. We breathe in the fresh mountain air and savor the beauty that surrounds us. We hike on miles of trail that take us under shimmering aspens, by flowing streams, and onto the shores of blue mountain lakes that reflected the snow-topped mountains. Frisco has always been a place of...
(JTA) - The film and TV world recently lost two Jewish actors who were not household names but were acclaimed for a pair of signature villainous roles. Last month, Mark Margolis passed away following a career on stage and screen that spanned over 60 years. He studied with and was later the personal assistant of renowned acting teacher Stella Adler before appearing in "Scarface," HBO's "Oz" and multiple films by the acclaimed Jewish director Darren Aronofsky. But he was most remembered for his...
For many years, Mae lived at the Heritage (now called Vitality) on route 46 in Sanford and her only child, Toni Gitles, dutifully cared for her. The Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers came weekly for visits, Shabbat services and mahjong games. She was truly adored by the Pavilion and by the staff at the Heritage. Meanwhile, her daughter was overwhelmed with the tasks of caregiving was they increased exponentially over time. When Mae passed away, Toni became an an expert on Caregiving, a consultant, author and professional speaker. “21 M...
