Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Heritage Florida News award-winning columnist and Central Florida attorney Mel Pearlman was recently recognized by the Florida Bar Association at its Annual Convention for 50 years of distinctive service to the citizens of Florida as a member of the Florida Bar. Within the same time frame, Pearlman took second-place in the Louis Rapoport Award for Excellence in Commentary category from the American Jewish Press Association for his article in the Heritage titled "Mr. Biden's folly," (May 14,...
Lori Slutsky delivered a beautiful Shabbat service at the Cascade Heights community in Longwood. It was Erev Tishah B’Av so the service had an extra special feeling to it. All attendees were engaged and learned about the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem (the Bais Hamikdash). Blessings were made over wine and challah. All enjoyed and participated....
The Jewish Chamber met at Toojays on Colonial on Tuesday, Aug. 9, for networking and conversation. Many nice friendships were reunited or forged. The next Jewish Chamber event is Sept. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the Roth Family JCC. Samantha Tayor, from J Life and Lake Mary Magazine, will be leading a session on speed networking. Visit https://jewish-chamber.com. Shown here Joshua Mizrachi (l) greets Scott Goldberg at the Jewish Chamber meet and greet....
Congregation Ohev Shalom is extremely excited to announce the arrival of its new spiritual leader, Rabbi Geoffrey Spector. Rabbi Geoffrey Spector from Livingston, N.J., where he was the senior rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston for 17 years. Prior to that, he served as the spiritual leader of Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation in Metairie, Louisiana. Rabbi Spector is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in Jewish Studies. He received his rabbinical ordination...
Founder and Director Loren London and Director of Employment and Education Rachel Slavkin have been busy during these summer months promoting RAISE (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees). They are actively expanding to South Orlando this year and look forward to having a RAISE presence there soon. The expansion is not only to South Orlando. They are continuing to launch ‘RAISE on the Road’ in order to replicate the RAISE program model in other Jewish communities. London and Slavkin have met with leaders in interested cit...
On Aug. 3 Jewish Funeral Group launched OrlandoJewishFunerals.com in partnership with Allen J. Harden Funeral Home, a StoneMor, Inc. property. The interactive resource provides comprehensive support, education, and information for those planning or searching for funeral services to understand and choose traditions and rituals appropriate for them. With a Jewish population of more than 50,000 in the Greater Orlando area, OrlandoJewishFunerals.com is the go-to resource for families in need of funeral and burial planning services and information....
The annual meetings for The Roth Family JCC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando will take place on Sunday, Aug. 21. Doors open at 9 a.m. for a light breakfast of bagels an coffee. The JCC Annual Meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the Federation Annual Meeting following at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Zoom option for those who are unable to attend in person. The main item on each agenda will be the vote on merging to create Shalom Orlando, Federation’s meeting will also include approving the new Shalom Orlando bylaws, which will be m...
You never know when an emergency will happen … but you can count on JFS Orlando to be there for support. Back in April, staff members from the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and the Roth Family Jewish Community Center were attending a conference at the Michael Ann Russell JCC in South Florida, when suddenly they had to go into lockdown due to a shooting at the pool on campus (Please see article “JFGO members witness to shooting at Miami-Dade JCC,” April 15 Heritage issue). Thankfully all JFGO and JCC staff were unharmed, however, the s...
Walgreens will be holding a vaccination clinic at the Rosen JCC. The clinic will be on July 18th from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. and will provide Covid vaccines and booster shots for adults. Covid vaccines for children ages 3-11 will also be provided. In addition, there will be shots for TDAP (whooping cough) and pneumonia for 65+ and Shingles for 55+. The complete list offered: Covid Pfizer vaccine Adult Covid Pfizer vaccine Pediatric (5-11) Covid Pfizer vaccine Toddler (3-4) TDAP (whooping cough) Pneumonia (65+) Shingles (55+) There is no appointment...
On July 6th over 75 people gathered for drinks, appetizers and desserts at Watercrest Senior Living. The happy hour was co-arranged by committee members of the Jewish and Pride Chambers. Pictured is Tee Rogers from the Pride chamber meeting Scott Goldberg from the Jewish Chamber. To get on the Jewish Chamber e-mail list, contact the Board chair Bree Goldstein at bree@breegoldstein.com The Jewish Chamber of Commerce offers monthly get togethers that are ideal for networking and making friends....
The Orlando Torah Academy had a wonderful turn out at the 12th anniversary Annual Dinner, held on June 13. Shown here are (from left to right) Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Spector, Rabbi Avraham Wachsman and Rabbi Yehuda Schepansky, guests of honor Dr. Alan and Shari Wladis and Richard and Lauren Ward (Shari’s mom and stepfather). In addition to the guests of honor, Rabbi Michoel and Elisheva Rennert received the Amud Hachesed Award, who are shown here holding the award with Rabbi Yehuda Schepansky (left) and Rabbi Avraham Wachsman....
For 50 years, Roe v. Wade has been the “settled law” of the United States. Today, in its decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, revoking the Constitutional right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy and sending the authority to regulate reproductive rights back to the states. Judaism cherishes human life, requiring Jews to set aside all ritual and religious obligations to preserve it. At the same time, Judaism recognizes that a fetus is not an independent individual, and the life and welfa...
Get ‘em while they’re in season! From apricots and peaches, to blueberries and strawberries, and even to cantaloupe and watermelon, the summer means plenty of delicious fresh fruits to enjoy. Did you know that these tasty healthy options can actually help your mental health? Fruits are nutrient-packed, containing important vitamins and minerals that help reduce the causes of stress, anxiety, and depression. Added bonus? They’re sweet, so it doesn’t feel like you are depriving yourself of an e...
The Jewish Pavilion hosted Shabbat services at Oakmonte Village Siena. They were led by Randi Cunningham, a long-time volunteer, and consisted of singing, prayers, and challah. Cunningham started by passing out Shabbat pamphlets containing prayers and led the six residents sitting around the table in prayer to light the candles. The residents joined as Cunningham led them in singing prayers such as the Aleynu and Shema, even harmonizing during parts of the prayers. After prayers were sung the...
Megan Steinmetz, Congregatio of Reform Judaism president announces that Bari Sigal has been selected as CRJ’s new director of Programing and Member Engagement. Sigal will take the lead on creating and distributing marketing and promotional material to the congregation and surrounding community, oversee the temple calendar, and work closely with the B’nai Mitzvah families in preparation for their celebrations. Segal graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Jewish Studies and min...
In May and June of 2022, Judy Kahan led a weekly grief support group for Jewish people who had experienced a loss. The sessions were held at Cascade Heights in Longwood. Another grief support group will resume in the fall. It is best practice to wait about six months after a death to participate in a group because the group may be too raw. Myrna Ossin commented on the experience. "Judy Kahan did a great job in leading the sessions. She gave everyone a chance to talk and provide some worthwhile...
The Jewish Pavilion held its most recent cocktail party at Land Rover Orlando. A wonderful time was had with great food, great drinks, a little bit of dancing and being able to socialize with friends old and new. Carina Borkon and Jason Mendelsohn organized the event. Their tireless effort to help raise money for the Jewish Pavilion was inspiring. Overall approximately 150 people came to the event and enjoyed the evening. The Pavilion raised around $3,000, and donations are still being...
It’s never been a better time to join the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation.The Hardoon family, long-time members of SOJC, are offering free religious school tuition for kindergarten to second grade for any new members to SOJC. This generous offer aligns with SOJC’s commitment to Jewish children’s education. The SOJC Religious School has been serving this Conservative Jewish community for over 20 years. Students not only learn to read Hebrew but also grow up chanting Torah and Haftarah. The religious school curriculum focuses on learn...
Do you withhold emotions rather than express them? People often swallow their feelings because they fear others will not accept them if they are expressive. However, stifled emotions can have a negative influence on your well-being long-term. Acknowledge and constructively express your emotions when they occur, and your mental health can improve. If you don't want to talk about how you feel, try writing your thoughts in a journal. By bringing them out in the open you'll be in a better place to...
The Men’s Club and Sisterhood of Congregation Ohev Shalom hosted an afternoon event on Sunday, May 22, to raise much-needed funds for Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to leave their homes and flee their country amid the ongoing war with Russia. Mark Stone, a long-standing member of the congregation and a mentalist extraordinaire, donated his time to present his comedy and ESP show “Mentalmania.” Stone astounded the audience with his uncanny ability to read minds, make predictions and “see” with his fingertips while blindfold...
Following a national search, The Holocaust Center has selected Talli Dippold, an educator and community builder with nearly 15 years of leadership experience in Holocaust education, as its new chief executive officer. She will start in that role on July 1, taking over from interim CEO Shelley Lauten. "Talli's knowledge of Holocaust education, teaching experience and personal ties to the Holocaust clearly demonstrate her alignment with our Center's mission, vision and goals making her a unique...
On May 27, Heritage Florida Jewish News employee Gil Dombrosky, along with his wife, Risa, and daughter, Karyn, attended a lecture on the Jewish History of Florida at the DeLand Regional Library. Sam Friedman, former director of Stetson University Hillel and now chief development officer of Shalom Orlando, presented the program. Some interesting facts presented were: • The first Jewish congregations in the state were Ahavath Chesed in Jacksonville and Temple Bethel in Pensacola, both claiming t...
As another successful school year comes to an end it's time to celebrate. It's hard to believe that it's been 12 years since the founding of Orlando Torah Academy. This has been an exceptional year of continued growth as enrollment has grown to almost 150 students from preschool through 8th grade. With children from over 60 families attending, OTA has established itself as the premier destination for Jewish education in Orlando. This year OTA will be honoring two very deserving couples at its...
As we come to the end of the current school year, it’s time to start making plans for the new school year. Parents of little ones, who are transitioning from pre-school, need to decide if they want to move to public or private kindergarten. These are choices made based on your family and what educational environment is best for your child. Registration is currently open at the Rosen JCC for their Kindergarten class of 2022-2023. One of the best features of kindergarten at the Rosen JCC is the smaller class ratio of 1:10. This allows for s...
Next time you’re stuck in evening traffic, take a few seconds to enjoy the pinks and purples in the sunset. It might be the most overlooked, but spiritual self-care can help you feel grateful to be here on this earth, and move the focus away from yourself to something bigger. It can be going to a house of worship, saying a prayer or mantra, or it can be as easy as appreciating the everyday wonders and beauty of nature. These simple moments of reflection can help you find peace and t...
