Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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(JNS) - Israel won 10 medals, including four gold, at the 2024 Paris Paralympics which concluded on Sunday, in its best showing at the Games in two decades. The competition followed the record-breaking six Olympic medals won by Israeli athletes in Paris this summer. Israel's medal total at the Paralympics topped its performance at the Tokyo Games three years ago, when the delegation brought home nine medals, and marks Israel's best showing since 2004, when it won 13 medals at the Athens...
(JTA) — I grew up in Berlin, escaped terror in Israel and was called ‘disgusting Jew’ in New York. Where can I feel safe? As a high school student in Berlin during Israel’s 2021 war in Gaza, with anti-Israel protests sweeping the city, I made a promise to myself: I would wear my Star of David necklace proudly, never hiding who I am, no matter what. It took three years and a move back to New York City before I had to reconsider that decision. I was returning home from an empowering three days at...
Volunteerism is the engine that makes many of our communities run. Aside from the good that volunteering does for the recipients, the act of service carries benefits for the doer. Studies show that serving others provides mental health benefits, increases happiness and decreases depression and anxiety as well as provides a sense of purpose. Jewish Pavilion Senior Services engages many individuals throughout the Greater Orlando area as volunteers who work with senior residents as service leaders...
Along with school opening and all that is happening in the world, September is a memorable month for Larry and me. Fifty years ago on Sept. 8, 1974, Larry and I got married in Upstate New York. For those who have been reading my column for a while, you may remember many of the stories. We met at a Purim (not "porn" as some people misheard!) party held by the Jewish singles in Albany, New York. It was love at first sight, and we got engaged six months later. Our wedding was held on a relatively h...
Good communication between doctors and patients (and between caregivers and loved ones) is crucial for better health outcomes. It’s a teachable skill that medical students can improve through training. The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties recognize interpersonal communication as a core competency. Effective communication: • Prevents medical errors • Improves health outcomes • Strengthens patient-provider relationships • Maximizes limited interaction time To ensure respectfu...
Jews today feel threatened with the rise of antisemitism and the increase in violent hate crimes that are happening in America and the world today. Yet we are a peaceful people and for many of us the thought of firing a gun, let alone going to a gun range to train is out of the question. How do we live up to the commitment of “Never Again” if we don’t have the skills to defend ourselves? Decision Tactical solves this problem. I have never seen or have experienced anything as creative, pract...
Not many people know much about Max Yasgur. Perhaps some do. I knew of him only because I was at the beautiful Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Aug.17, the 55th anniversary of Woodstock. The Center is located on Max's former farm site in Bethel, N.Y. I came to Bethel to dedicate the eighth marker in the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project system that the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation was funding. That day, at both sites, the clock was pushed back to when American youth...
(JNS) — At this moment, 109 treasured human beings are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. They are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. They are from 23 different countries. The youngest hostage is a 1-year-old, red-headed baby boy, and the oldest is an 86-year-old mustachioed grandpa. Among the hostages are eight American citizens. One of those Americans is our only son. His name is Hersh. He’s 23 years old, and like Vice President Kamala Harris, Hersh was born in Oakland, California. Hersh is a happy-go-lucky, laid-back, goo...
(JNS) — An evacuee from Israel’s north was wounded over the weekend when a porcupine violently attacked him over the weekend on the grounds of the hotel where he was staying. Shalom Yonassi, a 50-year-old resident of Kiryat Shmona who has been evacuated to the Herbert Samuel Bayit Bagalil Hotel Spa in Hatzor HaGlilit due to the Hezbollah threat, was rushed to Safed’s Ziv Medical Center, where surgeons removed 40 spines from his legs and feet. “We are staying at a hotel in the middle of the Bir...
(Israel Hayom via JNS) - The release of the trailer for Disney's live-action remake of "Snow White" has sparked an antisemitic campaign on social media against Israeli actress Gal Gadot. Pro-Palestinian users have criticized Gadot's casting as the Evil Queen and called for a boycott of the film, citing her Israeli background and military service. This past weekend, Disney unveiled the first trailer for its new adaptation of "Snow White" at the D23 fan convention in Anaheim, California. The...
(JNS) - Israel's Yes Studios is collaborating with Fox Entertainment Studios on the first scripted drama series about the Oct. 7 attacks as the anniversary of the Hamas-led massacre approaches, entertainment industry online news site Deadline reported on Tuesday. Yes and Fox are co-producing "One Day in October," a four-part Hebrew-language anthology series telling the personal stories that emerged from the events of the day. That title is for international release, while the Hebrew title is...
More than 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for nonfatal fall injuries each year. Fall prevention refers to the strategies and measures geared towards reducing the number of accidental falls suffered by older individuals. Falls can lead to severe injuries such as fractures and head traumas, and unfortunately, they are the leading cause of accidental death among the elderly population. Thus, it’s essential to implement strategies for prevention. The role of physical therapy Physical therapy plays a crucial role in p...
(JTA) — As nearly 30 million viewers tuned in for the waterborne opening ceremony at this summer’s Paris Olympics, it’s safe to bet that most were not thinking of Adolf Hitler. Malcolm Gladwell isn’t most people. Gladwell, the author, journalist and podcaster, explores the 1936 Berlin Olympics on the latest season of his podcast series “Revisionist History.” Gladwell and co-host Ben Naddaff-Hafrey examine the complex cast of characters and political developments that led to Nazi Germany hos...
(JTA) - As the resident film impresario at Manhattan's JCC, Isaac Zablocki specializes in screening movies that challenge, provoke and enlighten audiences. When he first heard of the Israeli feature "Legend of Destruction," before it had even hit theaters in 2021, he knew he needed to screen it. While many of the films Zablocki screens revolve around current events - including a steady diet of offerings on Israel's myriad challenges - "Legend" was different: It retold one of the most well-worn...
(JNS) - Mary Ellen Richichi, a non-Jewish middle-school teacher in the Florida public school system, grew up immersed in Holocaust education. Her father, who served in the U.S. military during the Cold War, was always watching History Channel documentaries about World War II. "I'll never forget, I was probably about 7 or 8, and he said to me, 'Holocaust and World War II is one of the events you need to know and never forget,'" Richichi told JNS. Her father passed what she called his extensive...
O mermaid bold, long may you hold the wreath you've won by swimming, And spoil for gents their arguments Regarding Votes for Wimmen! - "To a Lady Swimmer," William F. Kirk 1914. I love to swim. So, it is no surprise that I spent much of the first week of the 2024 Paris Olympics watching the swim competition. I cheered on Team USA as they won 25 medals in the 39 events in the Paris La Défense Arena. As I yelled "Go! Go! Go!" at the screen during the 1500 freestyle, Katie Ledecky's last race, my...
(JTA) - One of the most intriguing storylines for Jewish fans at the 2024 Paris Olympics has been the resurgence of Jewish excellence in fencing. Of the 20 fencers on the U.S. team, six are Jewish or come from Jewish families, and three have won medals. The success of gold medalists Jackie Dubrovich and Maia Weintraub and bronze winner Nick Itkin brings to mind a trio of Jewish fencers who medaled at the same Olympics nearly a century ago - at the so-called "Nazi Olympics." Ilona...
(New York Jewish Week) - Some of the most iconic American folk singers of the 1960s and '70s were Jewish: Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, "Mama Cass" Elliot. But what if there had been an entire Jewish family of folk royalty, whose descendants became stars of their own respective eras? In her debut novel "The Singer Sisters," which was published on Tuesday, writer and native New Yorker Sarah Seltzer dreams up this fantasy and fills it with rock music history, family drama and lots of Yiddishkeit. Singer...
(JTA) - TEL AVIV - As she read the news about a looming attack from Iran and its proxies, Adi Tamir faced a series of dilemmas: Should she go ahead with her weekend vacation on the banks of the Jordan River? Living in a town near Israel's northern coastline - well within reach of Hezbollah's rockets - should she leave her house at all? She settled on a compromise: She wouldn't go on the vacation to Israel's border with Jordan - but she also wouldn't remain hunkered down at home. "I'm not going...
"Raise your hand if you are a Zionist. This is your chance to get out!" These now infamous words shouted on a packed New York Subway car on Oct. 10, 2024, sent chills down the spines of Jews across America. Anti-Israel protests have wracked cities and college campuses and violence against Jews has increased dramatically all over the United States. Headlines like, "FBI Director Warns Antisemitism in US Reaching Historic Level." "A New Wave of Antisemitism threatens to Rock an Already Unstable...
Sandy Cawthern, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, discovered her connection to Judaism at a young age. "I was 9 when Israel was created as a Jewish state for the Jewish people, and we danced the Hora in the playground at my elementary school to celebrate," she recalls. Despite being shy, Sandy found herself drawn to the warmth and community of the Jewish faith. "I find people sitting by themselves and ask to sit with them and ask questions. I love listening to their stories. I find them fascinat...
(JTA) - TV's most Jewish comedy has one more chance to grab some statues on its way out the door. The 12th and final season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Larry David's long-running HBO sitcom, was nominated for four Emmy awards Wednesday, including best comedy and best actor for David. Since premiering in 2000 the show has received a total of 55 Emmy nominations, but only two competitive wins (for directing and editing). David finally wrapped "Curb" in April with an appearance from his buddy Jerry...
Decluttering a living space can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can also be liberating. Here are some practical tips to help you declutter efficiently, along with insights into how organizations like Jewish Pavilion Senior Services and the Orlando Senior Help Desk offer support to elders and their families through this process. 1. Categorize and Conquer: Begin by sorting items in the room into categories such as trash, books, papers, and miscellaneous items. This helps...
Dr. Daniel Layish shouldn't be with us today. He only exists because of the remarkable foresight, bravery (and perhaps luck) which led to the exodus of his paternal grandparents from Slovakia in December 1939 to pre-state Israel. Layish is the ZOA Florida Board liaison for Orlando. "With everything that has happened in Israel and on our college campuses, the ZOA's mission is more important today than ever. We are proud of Israel and will not waver in our commitment to her." Aaron and Hedwig Flei...
There are veterans like an Australian gold medalist canoe paddler and Israel's powerhouse judo team. There are newcomers, like the youngest American female wrestler ever and Israel's soccer team. And there are athletes competing in events from fencing to beach volleyball to racewalking to air pistol shooting. The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are around the corner, running from July 26 through Aug. 11, and dozens of Jewish athletes will be among the estimated 10,500 competitors representing roug...
