Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 10518
(JNS) — Avida Bachar, who lost his wife and 15-year-old son in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist assault on Kibbutz Be’eri near the Gaza border, called on the Israeli government to extend “full sovereignty” over Judea and Samaria to prevent another Oct. 7-like attack. “We must have full sovereignty here. If we don’t, another Oct. 7 is just a matter of time,” said the farmer, who lost a leg when a Hamas terrorist shot him during the cross-border assault. Bachar made the comment during a tour of Samaria with Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria R...
(JNS) — The European Union presents itself as a defender of democracy, fairness and human rights. It claims to promote peace and cooperation among nations. However, when it comes to Israel, the European Union shows a clear bias that contradicts these ideals. Israel is a strong democracy yet faces unfair treatment. In March 2024, Israel declared more than 1,900 acres of land in Judea and Samaria (commonly called the West Bank) as state property. The European Union strongly criticized this action, calling it “illegal” and threatening diplo...
(Israel Hayom via JNS) — A deeply concerning trend has emerged in Norway, where Jewish community members fear seeking medical care due to growing anti-Israel sentiment among healthcare workers. In an unprecedented letter to health authorities, Jewish leaders warn that community members are hiding their identities in medical settings—a situation not experienced “since World War II.” The letter, signed by Marius Gaarder, chairman of the Jewish community in Oslo, and John Arne Moen from the Jewish community in Trondheim, raises alarming concern...
(JNS) — The Israel Defense Forces is seizing territory in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’s refusal to release the remaining 59 hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday. “Last night in Gaza, we switched gears,” the premier said in a Hebrew-language video statement. “The IDF is seizing territory, striking the terrorists and destroying the infrastructure.” “We are also doing something else. We are seizing the Morag Corridor,” he said, calling the security strip “an additional Philadelphi Corridor.” Netany...
(JNS) — The United States opposes the candidacy of the Palestinian Authority for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly. Riyad Mansour, the authority’s longtime “permanent observer” to the global body, is mounting a bid to helm the assembly presidency in 2026-27, despite the authority holding non-state “observer” status. The 22-member, U.N. Arab Group, which passed the nomination onto the 55-member Asia Pacific Group, backs the nomination. The latter group holds the rotating slot for the presidency in two years, based on re...
Delta resumes flights to Israel By JNS Staff (JNS) — Delta Air Lines is restarting flights to Israel on Tuesday, becoming the latest major carrier to renew service suspended due to the Israel-Hamas war. The moves comes two weeks after chief rival United Airlines resumed service to Tel Aviv, and ahead of the busy Passover and Easter travel season this month. The Atlanta-based Delta said it is restoring its daily flights to Tel Aviv from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The daytime service on Delta will add nearly 2,000 wee...
After rebuffing U.S. President Trump’s requests to absorb Palestinian civilians from Gaza, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi has said he is willing to temporarily absorb half a million Gazans, according to the Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper. Sisi made the remarks during meetings with other Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. After Sisi and King Abdullah of Jordan rejected Trump’s request that they absorb 2 million Gazans during a planned reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, Egypt formulated its own proposal for rebuilding and gov...
If you’re looking for a home-cooked Passover meal, then join Temple Israel for a meaningful second-night Seder filled with fabulous food and friends. The date is April 13, at 5 p.m. Rabbi Joshua Neely includes all ages in this meaningful and participatory Seder that blends tradition with modern-day relevance. “The Seder tells us each year to feel as though we too were slaves in Egypt before our liberation. The last year and a half has made it easier for Jews around the world to empathize with our ancestors and all who are oppressed. To dee...
Chana Ben-Abraham, Gotlib Jewish Academy Head of School, announced that Jacqueline Drazen McGrail will be joining the school as the new Director of School Operations, beginning the week of March 24. In this role, she will oversee business operations, admissions, marketing, fundraising, and school events, taking on responsibilities previously managed by the executive director as part of a realignment of administrative duties to strengthen the school's growth and operations. McGrail brings over a...
(JTA) — Almost one in four U.S. adults raised Jewish do not identify as religiously Jewish anymore, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. The study, published March 26, surveyed “religious switching” around the world, and found that significant percentages of people raised in religious homes in the United States and internationally are now religiously unaffiliated. Smaller numbers have converted to another religion. Among Americans raised Jewish, 17 percent now describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated. An addit...
(JTA) — Nearly 80 members of Congress from both parties are calling for the Trump administration to end a freeze on security funding for religious institutions. The halt to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, or NSGP, began recently as part of an overall funding freeze on FEMA, the federal disaster relief agency. Synagogues, schools and Jewish community centers have long relied on the funding, which goes to religious institutions of all kinds, to pay for measures like security cameras or bollards to protect their buildings. “At a time whe...
(JNS) — The U.S. Department of Education sent notices to 60 universities on Monday warning that they could face consequences if they fail to meet their obligations, under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to protect Jewish college students from harassment. Linda McMahon, the U.S. education secretary, stated that university leaders must do more to combat Jew-hatred on campus. “The department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eru...
(JNS) — Representatives from seven countries released a statement condemning the “reprehensible acts of hostage-taking and unjust detention.” The “Joint Statement on Unjust Detention” was released by representatives from the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel and the United Kingdom at a bilateral meeting in Big Sky, Mont., on Tuesday, according to the U.S. State Department. “These acts are a flagrant affront to human rights. Perpetrators of these practices shatter lives and communities, undermine peace, and threaten gl...
(JNS) — The University of Pittsburgh, a more than 235-year-old public school in Pennsylvania, placed the campus Students for Justice in Palestine chapter on “interim suspension of registration” on Tuesday, the Pitt News, a student publication, reported. “Individuals acting on behalf of SJP” engaged “improperly” in “communications to members of the conduct hearing board,” Jamey Mentzer, associate director of student conduct at the highly-ranked university, reportedly wrote to the student group’s leaders. “This suspension has no specified end dat...
(JNS) — Egg prices remain high in much of the United States following an avian flu outbreak that led to the loss of many egg-laying chickens and has caused an ensuing egg shortage a month before the holidays of Passover and Easter in April, when eggs take center stage. Limited supplies as a result of what is commonly called the “bird flu” are related to the loss of many egg-laying chickens. According to CBS News, more than 148 million birds have been ordered euthanized since the current strain of bird flu was first detected in 2022. Curre...
(JTA) — Days after Yeshiva University announced that it would recognize a club supporting LGBTQ students, its president said the values espoused by a typical “Pride” club are “antithetical” to the school. Rabbi Ari Berman also claimed that the Modern Orthodox school’s decision to allow an LGBTQ club, after years of fighting in court not to recognize one, did not represent a reversal. He apologized for how the school had initially communicated the announcement. “I deeply apologize to the members of our community — our students and parents, al...
Nestled in the heart of Altamonte Springs, Sabbaba Market & Deli is a hidden gem bringing the rich, vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to Central Florida and beyond. Owned and operated by Rachel and Joel Kirshblum, Sabbaba Market is a culinary treasure of great food served with a smile. Every dish is crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients and time-honored recipes. From golden, crispy Jerusalem falafel to crispy borekas, creamy babaganoush and hummus, everything is made in-house with love and care. Sabbaba also offers traditional foods...
Anti-Hamas protesters march in Gaza, in rare and risky show of dissent By Philissa Cramer (JTA) — Hundreds of men shouting criticism of Hamas marched in Gaza on March 25, according to footage shared from the territory the terror group has long governed. Protests took place March 25-26 throughout the enclave, including in Khan Younis and neighborhoods of Gaza City. The demonstrations were a rare and risky public display of dissent against Hamas, which began controlling the territory in 2006 and ousted its rivals in a brief civil war the f...
(JTA) - Bruce Pearl, whose Auburn men's basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen this weekend, opened his postgame press conference by calling to "bring the hostages home." Auburn is one of three No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament with a Jewish coach. All three made the tournament's round of 16, as has the biggest Jewish star on the court, Danny Wolf. Pearl is known for his outspoken support for Israel, which he put on display Saturday after the Tigers beat...
At the heart of inclusion is RAISE — a work and social skills training program offered by Shalom Orlando for adults with disabilities. This program matches adults with disabilities with local businesses and organizations. RAISE — Recognizing Abilities & Inclusion of Special Employees — is accepting applications for employees and job coaches for the fall. RAISE employees earn a paycheck with the guidance of one-on-one job coaches, and helps employees build self-esteem and independence at home and in the workplace through its training program. RA...
On the morning of March 13, the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services hosted a successful and engaging Sponsors Breakfast at Grand Living. The event brought together dedicated board members, sponsors, and supporters of the Jewish Pavilion, all gathered to share ideas and discuss the future of the organization's impactful work in senior services. One of the key highlights of the meeting was a suggestion made by Jason Mendelsohn, a Jewish Pavilion board member and sponsor from Ashar Group. He proposed...
The Kinneret Council on Aging, an area nonprofit that provides life enhancing resources to the over 300 residents of Kinneret Apartments and to the aging population outside its walls, has formed a partnership with the Rosen JCC to provide engaging programming to seniors in Southwest Orlando. Coined “KCOA on the Road,” the speaker series expands the programming that KCOA provides in the community to a senior population that is currently underserved. Started in January 2025, programming has inc...
(JNS) — The family of freed hostage Yarden Bibas has raised more than $1.7 million via a public fundraising campaign since its launch on Saturday night, exceeding its initial $1,371,086 goal within 24 hours. The campaign, which was launched via the Lehosheet Yad (Lend a Hand) foundation, aims to help Yarden Bibas’s recovery and establish a memorial for his wife, Shiri, and two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, who were murdered in captivity in the Gaza Strip. As of Monday morning, 30,979 people from all over the world had donated to the cam...
(JNS) — The Tikva Forum of Hostages’ Families on Tuesday called for “all or hell”—meaning the return of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas at once, or the resumption of “massive” Israel Defense Forces pressure on the terrorist group. “The past weeks have proven what we have been saying all along—Hamas will never return all the hostages willingly,” the group said, referring to the terror group’s refusal to agree to a U.S. proposal to extend the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover. “Only massive militar...
(JNS) — Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Tuesday that Hamas will face intensified military action unless it releases all remaining hostages. “The murderous Hamas needs to understand: If they do not release all our hostages, our blows will intensify,” Katz stated in remarks released by his office. The statement came during a high-level security assessment held at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting was attended by Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen...
