Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 3521
The Rosen JCC will be hosting an open house for our Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC). Choosing a preschool for your child is the first step in their education. The Open House will be March 6th 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and March 7th 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Your child deserves a high-quality, evidence based early childhood education in a caring and nurturing environment. The program offers an expanded STEAM education focused on lessons based on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Come learn how our award...
What started as an idea in 2023 for a Temple Israel Men’s Club camping weekend turned into a full Shabbaton held Feb. 2-4, 2024, at Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont. The cabins were comfortable and well-stocked two-bedroom houses with screened-in porches overlooking Dixie Lake. The 10 participants enjoyed kosher food and reading Torah against the backdrop of a natural Florida environment. “Many of us have had experience at Jewish summer camp growing up so we decided to re-create the best par...
Last November, circumstance connected the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Orlando and Central Florida Hillel. On Feb. 9, 2024, that connection was solidified in the traditional Jewish manner — over Shabbat dinner. The connection was, in fact, prompted by shared outrage. In November, local U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost, to the surprise and dismay of the local Jewish community, voted against a congressional resolution condemning the rise of antisemitism on college campuses in t...
The attitude about antisemitic groups in Central Florida used to be “if you ignore them, they will go away.” Not anymore. Now people hold to “if you see something, say something.” On Saturday, Feb. 17, a group of neo-Nazi demonstrators stood on the corner of Lee Road and Orlando Avenue waving a Nazi flag and a Confederate Flag, while holding signs that read “Jews love genocide,” “The ADL protects pedophiles” and “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The protesters drew the attention of Sen. Rick Scott,...
Last month, Natalie Sopinsky, spokesperson for Hatzalah Y'osh, Rescuers Without Borders, spoke at The Roth Family JCC as well as at Fellowship Church in Winter Springs. It was clear to all that she really didn't want to be away from Israel. This attitude seems to be that of most Israelis. When there is danger brewing, Israelis run to the source of the danger while so many others run away from it. Sopinsky came on the insistence of the Hatzalah director who said she needed to tell Americans what...
Director-general of the Ethiopia National Project, Roni Akale, will enlighten the Central Florida community about the Ethiopian-Israeli community and its progress in assimilating into Israeli culture. ENP works to ensure the full integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Israeli society, in a unique and special partnership with global supporters, the Goverment of Israel and the Ethiopian-Israeli community itself. At informative meeting, Akale will discuss ENP’s endeavors in Ethiopian-Israelis education, empowerment and impact, and wartime r...
Actor and Oct. 7 hero, Yadin Gellman, will be at several Chabads in Central Florida to share his story, "The 12 Longest Hours of My Life." Gellman grew up in Jerusalem during the second Intifada. The difficult experiences he endured, led him to become a combat soldier in the IDF's elite Sayeret Matkal unit. Gellman fought bravely in many battles and special operations until 2019 when he left the army and pursued a career in acting. On Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas massacre on Simchas Torah,...
February is the month for love and the Rosen JCC has all the activities adults will love this month! Community Mah Jongg The next date to meet to play Mah Jongg will be Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m. To register and learn more dates, visit www.rosenjcc.org/mahjongg. Paint & Sip Party The Rosen JCC is offering a Paint & Sip Party. Sign up for Feb. 24, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. and register www.rosenjcc.org/art. Adult Clay Class The Rosen JCC is now offering an Adult Clay Class on Wednesday’s weekly Feb. 28-April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more and register www...
RAISE employees take a cookie break The RAISE employees aren’t always working and learning. Recently they had a wonderful time at a cookie decorating get together. Over eight families enjoyed working learning proper techniques to create wonderfully decorated cookies. Purple Tulip Artisan Cookies’ co-owner Holly Kluger demonstrated step by step how to make the cookies look professionally decorated. The cookie decorating class gave the RAISE employees and their families an opportunity to pra...
Craig Polejes, Chair of the Shalom Orlando Board of Directors, announced that the Board of Directors of Shalom Orlando has appointed Melissa Youngblood and Rachel Greenspan as the interim co-executive directors. Melissa Youngblood has been an invaluable member of the Shalom Orlando team for the past six years, serving with distinction as the chief education officer of the Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center. In her role, Youngblood has exhibited exceptional leadership, driving forward transformative initiatives and ensuring that...
USY is pleased to announce the third annual Heschel Fellowship cohort. Twenty-one teens from across the United States will be gathering virtually every week for immersive Jewish learning and fellowship through April 3, 2024. The two students from Central Florida are Yael Brener of Orlando and Jaynie Ragas of Sanford. Brenner attends Lake Brantley High School. She is a member of the Temple Israel USY chapter as well as C-Teen, the Chabad youth group. Ragas is a homeschool student. She is a member of the Temple Israel USY chapter and also...
The Congregation of Ohev Shalom Sisterhood is hosting Sisterhood & Sharsheret, an evening to bring awareness to breast and ovarian cancer, on Feb. 15, starting at 6:30 p.m. Guest speakers include Orlando Health specialists Amy Laughlin, MD; Amy Margolin, MS,CGC; Kirbie Whitaker, MS, RD, LDN; and Sara Trosty Walsh, LCSW Florida, program coordinator Sharsheret. The event is free, open to the community and men are welcome to attend. Registration is required. Visit ohevshalom.org/form/Sharsheret to register. Please RSVP by Feb. 12. Sharsheret, a...
The Jewish Chamber held a breakfast event at Pickles NY Deli & More in Longwood on Jan. 25. This exclusive gathering was chaired by Scott Leitner, vice president of Climate First Bank. The breakfast offered a unique opportunity for individuals from various backgrounds to come together, share ideas, and forge connections. Networking events like these play a crucial role in building a strong and supportive community, fostering collaboration and understanding. The next event is an afterhours on...
Join your friends at Temple Israel for TI Supper Club on Friday, Feb. 9, and enjoy a delicious, homemade vegetarian meal featuring produce grown in our very own Gan Chesed: Garden of Kindness! Shabbat services start at 6 p.m., with dinner following in the Roth Social Hall at 7 p.m. This month's meal includes baba ganoush made from Gan Chesed eggplants, minestrone soup, lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread, wine, and dessert. The atmosphere is relaxing, but the pace will pick up when you join a...
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, the Jewish Pavilion hosted a Sponsor's Breakfast at Legacy Pointe in Orlando, marking a morning of community, connection, and culinary delights. The breakfast served as a platform for individuals to come together, share experiences, and strengthen their commitment to supporting the Jewish Pavilion's initiatives. Following the meal, participants were treated to a tour of the Legacy Pointe campus. Nestled in the heart of Orlando, Legacy Pointe is a testament to the commitment...
Rabbi Yanky and Chanshy Majesky, in partnership with the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute through Chabad of North Orlando, are excited to announce a unique opportunity for the community. They will be leading a Solidarity Trip from April 1st to April 7th, 2024. This exclusive seven-day experience aims to foster unity and connection, leaving a lasting impact on participants' hearts, minds, and souls. Rediscover Israel in a new light • Show Solidarity: Stand in solidarity with Israel by visiting sold...
The Jewish Pavilion partnered with The Jewish Academy of Orlando to bring the Theater Department's Variety Show to the residents of Brookdale Lake Orienta. The students showcased their skills in acting, singing, gymnastics, dancing and more. After an afternoon ice cream treat and the show, the residents got to mingle with the stars of the show. Jewish Pavilion sees the importance of intergenerational programming and building new relationships. Both The Jewish Pavilion and The Jewish Academy of...
Advice for Life, a six-week course by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute is set to debut at the end of January 2024. This immersive journey explores the extensive written communications of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson, of blessed memory. Through thousands of typewritten letters and transcripts of spoken discourse, the Rebbe interacted with individuals of all walks of life, both from within and outside the Jewish community on matters of work, family, health, and well-being. The Rebbe’s spiritual leadership is the f...
In 2005, the United Nations established, Jan. 27, the day Auschwitz was liberated by the Red Army, as the International Holocaust Memorial Day. In conjunction with this special date, Chabad of North Orlando will be hosting Saul Dreier and his band in the Orlando area on Jan. 24, 2024. The entire community is invited to enjoy the music of the Holocaust Survivor Band and to have the chance to meet this special man and hear about his life directly from him. Saul Dreier was born in April 1925 in Krakow and had an idyllic childhood until 1939. His f...
Jan. 29 at Shalom Orlando Natalie Sopinsky, Director of Development for Hatzalah Without Borders, will speak at Shalom Orlando on Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. about how Hatzalah Rescuers Without Borders has reacted to the Oct. 7th massacre and subsequent war against Hamas. Sopinsky was raised in Delaware in a Conservative Jewish family. Today she is a pistol-wearing settler living in Suissa in the Hebron Hills. She is a lawyer and a lifeguard, the wife of a Philadelphian, and mother of five children — two of whom are serving in the IDF. Admission i...
Do you have memories of snow when you were growing up? Or are you a Florida native and have no experience with snow? Winterfest at the Rosen JCC offers a chance to relive your snowy memories or give you new memories. This fun filled yearly event features an amazing snow slide! The snow slide won’t be the only fun at this event. Kids can try the Rock Wall and the Face Painter. There will be a Snow Maze, Petting Zoo and a variety of games. Come hungry to enjoy the Food Trucks and dance to the music. This event has something for the entire f...
The Jewish Pavilion organized a highly successful Tu B'Shevat breakfast for the Maitland Chamber on Thursday, Jan. 11, resembling Jewish Earth Day festivities. This event marked a historic turnout, setting a record for the largest attendance ever recorded in the history of Coffee Connections. The delectable meal was a highlight, crafted with care and expertise by volunteer chefs from the Jewish Pavilion. Gratitude goes to Jane Edelstein, Ashley Fisak, Myrna Ossin, Bethanne Weiss, Alex Lehrer,...
Students Supporting Israel at the University of Central Florida has arranged a walkout/protest on Thursday, Jan. 18, starting at 10:07 a.m. to support the Hostages in Israel. The marchers will meet in front of the library, at 9:30 a.m., hold a moment of silence at 10:07 a.m. and march around the library, through the student union, and along the Memory Mall to the Addition Financial Arena. As of Jan. 18, the hostages will have been held captive for 104 days. Jan. 18 is also the first birthday of...
“A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting” Documentary Screening On Jan. 21, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Shalom Orlando, 851 N Maitland Ave, Maitland, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center will present its Continuing Discussion Series: Crucial Conversations for a Unified Florida. The film “A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting” delves deep into the lives of survivors, victims, and their families, offering poignant firsthand accounts of a shattered community’s resilience. This documentary sheds light on societal...
Hearing the inspiring story of Saul Dreier, a Holocaust survivor who worked in Schindler’s Factory and survived three concentration camps, on Jan. 24, 7 p.m., at Chabad Lubavitch of North Orlando, 1701 Markham Woods Rd., Longwood. Also enjoy the melodies of the Holocaust Survivor Band, which Dreier founded. The cost is $25, early bird is $20 by Jan. 16. Space is limited For more information and to RSVP, call 407-636-5994 or visit www.jewishnorthorlando.com/band....
