Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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(JNS) — The Oscar-nominated documentary “No Other Land” portrays the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the microcosm of a collection of Palestinian Arab settlements called Masafer Yatta. In that cluster of makeshift villages, the film gives the impression that impoverished Palestinians confront the oppression of Israeli military demolition crews in an existential struggle to prevent the destruction of Palestinian homes, the displacement of their people and the theft of their land. But ultimately, we are told, the righteous Palestinian resis...
The book “The Balancing Act of Stress Management” by Valerie Chestnut defines stress as a situation or change that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. Stress triggers your body’s automatic reaction, similar to a reflex, and manifests in various symptoms. These symptoms are often magnified in seniors, and proper stress management requires additional diligence as we or our loved ones age. Stress can be caused by: Work-related issues, Financial struggles, Parenting challenges, Relationship troubles, Health concerns, Careg...
(JNS) — Shaya Feiner may not communicate with words, but his face tells a story. His mother, Aviva, has learned to recognize the joy in his expressions—the pride that lights up his face when she tells others that “Shaya was born in Jerusalem.” The 17-year-old’s story began in Israel, where he was born healthy. But complications quickly arose, leaving him with a severe neurological condition and complex medical needs that have shaped his daily life ever since. All this time, Aviva and her husband, Rabbi Eytan Feiner, have devoted themselves to m...
People with Alzheimer’s disease can be especially vulnerable during disasters such as severe weather, fires, floods, earthquakes, and other emergency situations. It is important for caregivers to have a disaster plan that includes the special needs of people with Alzheimer’s or other forms or dementia, whose impairments in memory and reasoning severely limit their ability to act appropriately in crises. In general, you should prepare to meet the needs of your family for 3 to 7 days, including having supplies and backup options if you lose bas...
By Alan Zeitlin (JNS) - The Oscars ceremony at the annual Academy Awards in Hollywood has offered some drama of its own these past few years. There was Will Smith, who slapped the show's host, fellow actor and comedian Chris Rock, on stage. There was last year's British director Jonathan Glazer, who in his speech in accepting the Oscar for Best International Feature Film for "The Zone of Interest" proclaimed a "refute" of his Jewishness, citing the "Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip" as his...
Have you ever walked into a room with a specific task in mind, only to freeze and wonder, “Why did I come in here?” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This phenomenon is called the doorway effect, and it’s something many people experience, especially as we get older. What is the doorway effect? The doorway effect occurs when you enter a new space, like walking into a different room, and suddenly forget what you were doing or why you went there in the first place. It can happen when you leave a store, board a plane, or even just walk fr...
(JTA) - This story contains spoilers for "Apple Cider Vinegar." Early in the new Netflix miniseries "Apple Cider Vinegar," the central character of Millie Blake is diagnosed with a rare cancer and told she must amputate her arm. Desperate for another solution, Millie seizes on an "alternative" treatment: at a center called the Hirsch Institute, in Mexico. The center is run by the daughter of a German Jewish refugee from the Nazis. Decades after her father's death, she tells her patients that...
Jewish National Fund's Women For Israel recently sponsored an event featuring a presentation about the "Special In Uniform" program on Feb. 6 at the Vue at Lake Lily in Maitland. Founded in 2014, Special In Uniform is an Israeli Defense Force program that incorporates young adults with special needs to work in the Israeli military. In Israel, citizens are required to join the Israeli military. Similar to attending a university before starting adult life in other countries, serving in the...
(JTA) - The actor who played Rabbi Noah Roklov on Netflix's hit interfaith romcom "Nobody Wants This" has taken home the Critics Choice Award for best actor in a comedy series. Adam Brody, who himself is Jewish, won the prize at an awards ceremony in Santa Monica, California, on Friday. The prize was presented by Rachel Brosnahan, who is best known for playing the Jewish lead in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." In his acceptance speech, Brody nodded at the show's premise while addressing costar...
In the United States, there are approximately 1,500 ombudsmen working in long-term care facilities, supported by a network of nearly 3,500 volunteers. This network is part of a federal program established in the 1970s to advocate for older adults and individuals with disabilities who reside in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other residential care settings. Ombudsmen serve as resident advocates, ensuring that the rights of residents are protected and that they receive quality care. Their work is vital in maintaining high...
In the Jewish calendar, Tu B'Shvat is the 15th day of the month Shevat. It begins on the evening of Feb. 12. As this minor holiday acknowledges trees and the fruits of the tree, typically fruits like raisins, figs, grapes, pomegranates, dates, oranges, and olives are eaten. There are many ways to celebrate the holiday with your children and grandchildren: Myrna Ossin suggests arranging a platter of tree fruits in the shape of a tree; embed pieces of cooked broccoli like tree leaves on top of a...
(Israel Hayom via JNS) - Fresh testimony emerged on Friday about IDF soldier Agam Berger's 482-day ordeal in Hamas captivity. Yaffa Deri, wife of Shas Party Chairman Aryeh Deri, and their daughter Margalit Peretz, visited the released IDF observers at the hospital, revealing intimate details of Agam's spiritual resilience. "Agam found a siddur [Jewish prayer book] in Gaza and maintained her religious observance, including fasting on Tisha B'Av," Deri said. Berger, 20, released during the Hamas-I...
Caregiving is a demanding role, often requiring juggling multiple responsibilities including ensuring that loved ones are transported to critical medical appointments or social engagements. For caregivers of seniors, transportation can become a significant challenge, particularly when the person they care for is unable to drive. Fortunately, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have stepped in to make this task easier, offering solutions designed to alleviate some of the stresses caregivers face. These services now allow caregivers to...
Video Calling Apps Video calling has become a staple for staying connected, especially during events like the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person visits were limited. Apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype are easy to use and allow seniors to see their loved ones in real-time, fostering a sense of closeness. For example, a study published by the National Institutes of Health highlighted how video communication tools significantly reduce feelings of loneliness among older adults. Seniors who regularly use these apps report better emotional well-being...
(JNS) - As a lifelong Angeleno, I've experienced a decent share of earthquakes, wildfires, El Niño weather events, Santa Ana winds, droughts and extreme heat, but nothing has compared to the enormity and painful reckoning of the current wildfires and wind events displacing Los Angeles residents and destroying homes, communities and even synagogues. While this situation has been incredibly stressful, my training with Community Security Service has provided me with critical tools to remain calm,...
(JNS) - After 298 Jewish men and women had sat down, randomly paired together in a speed dating event in Crown Heights, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the dating coach Manya Lazaroff called out a question for them to discuss in their two minutes before being reassigned to another date. "How much money does someone need to be financially stable?" Lazaroff, co-director of the Rohr Chabad Jewish Center at Texas A&M University in College Station, asked the couples in the ballroom of the school Oholei Torah....
These are parve chewy cookies with a licorice flavor. 2 large eggs 1/4 tsp. salt 2 1/4 cups flour 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 1/4 tsp. ground anise powder (You can grind star anise to make a powder.) 1/3 cup granulated sugar for rolling cookies Preset oven to 375 F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment. In a large bowl, beat the eggs by hand, until the whites disappear. Add brown sugar with eggs, anise, and salt and beat until smooth. Add flour and mix into a dough. Th...
(JTA) - A postwar epic about a Holocaust survivor, a contemporary comedy about Holocaust tourism and a biopic of a Jewish musical legend helped lend a formidable Jewish presence to Thursday's Oscar nominations. Meanwhile, nominations for a documentary about Judea and Samaria and a docudrama about the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre of Israeli athletes also kept Israel in the conversation. The nominations announcement, delayed multiple times by historically destructive Los Angeles wildfires,...
Identifying the signs of stress is crucial for maintaining well-being, especially as seniors age. Listen to your body’s cues, whether it’s tension headaches, muscle tightness, or a constant feeling of unease. Taking proactive steps to counter these effects is key. Try deep breathing exercises, take a leisurely walk, or simply carve out a moment to focus on relaxation techniques. Prioritize your time for self-care Carving out time for yourself is not selfish, it’s necessary for maintaining balance and vitality. Incorporate daily routines that...
Manischewitz®, the iconic kosher brand with over 130 years of culinary excellence, announces the launch of Manischewitz New York Style All-Beef Hot Dogs. These premium hot dogs will be available in the refrigerated sections of supermarkets and specialty stores, offered in both regular and low-fat options at an SRP of $9 for the 10.3 oz package of six hot dogs. Additionally, a Kosher for Passover version will also be available. The Manischewitz Kosher Hot Dogs are “Where Flavor Meets Tradition!” Consumers can now enjoy the exceptional tast...
(JTA) — Hosting “Saturday Night Live” in its final broadcast before the inauguration of Donald Trump, comedian Dave Chappelle concluded with advice for the new president. “Do not forget your humanity,” Chappelle said. “And please, have empathy for displaced people, whether they’re in the Palisades or Palestine.” The line represented Chappelle’s signature mix of humor and serious sermonizing and came after a nearly 15-minute monologue that acknowledged his own controversies as a comedian and included an extended anecdote about President Jimmy Ca...
(JTA) — After the hostages return to Israel, peace takes hold in the Middle East. Army recruitment offices are shuttered; Israelis shelve the second passports that let them live abroad; and trains run uninterrupted from Egypt to Syria. Soon, Israeli and Iranian judokas embrace, and Israel advances in the World Cup. Ultimately, Taylor Swift takes the stage in Tel Aviv. The sequence of events exceeds even the wildest ambitions of most Israelis, who know from experience that peace, when it c...
(JTA) — Last year, as I stood in the ruins of the Nevele Hotel, memories flooded back despite the devastation around me. Every surface is covered in graffiti, roofs have caved in throughout the property, and not a single piece of carpet or wood paneling remains — all stripped away by years of looting. The grand ballroom where my grandmother once insisted on the best table in the house is now a dangerous shell. The room where my extended family held our seder is exposed to the elements, eve...
(JNS) — A unique structure unearthed in Jerusalem’s ancient City of David was used for ritual practices during the time of the First Temple, according to a report published Tuesday. The site was uncovered 15 years ago on the eastern slopes of the City of David compound, just outside the walled Old City of Jerusalem. It includes eight rock-hewn rooms containing an altar, a standing stone, an oil press and a winepress, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Excavation director Eli Shukron wrote in an article published in the sci...
