Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Approximately five years ago, Danielle McKinstry graduated The University of Connecticut and landed her first job at Central Florida Hillel as engagement associate. During the ensuing five years, McKinstry received nearly annual promotions until her most recent one last year when she became Hillel's assistant director. As AD, McKinstry led an unprecedented period of growth in the numbers of Jewish students being active in Jewish life on our campuses here in Orlando. Moreover, her work as a...
Although the Holocaust Center remains closed because of the coronavirus, events are still planned that can be attended virtually. As part of the Strategies for Action programs, the Holocaust Center presents on July 28, “The Limits & Necessities of ‘Never Again’: The Holocaust and Injustice Today,” with Dr. Danny M. Cohen, noon to 1 p.m. This event is free. Drawing on the story of Michael Bauer, the gay son of Jewish Holocaust survivors who lived through the AIDS crisis, attendees will think critically about how intergenerational memory and inh...
The Summer Author Series The series continues on Sunday, July 19 at 1 p.m. Rachel Beanland, will discuss her book, “Florence Adler Swims Forever,” in a Zoom conversation. Based on a true story and told in the vein of J. Courtney Sullivan’s “Saints for All Occasions” and Anita Diamant’s “The Boston Girl,” Beanland’s family saga is a breathtaking portrait of just how far we will go to in order to protect our loved ones and an uplifting portrayal of how the human spirit can endure — and even...
As the school year approaches, families are facing an unprecedented challenge as they seek a quality education for their children in a safe and supportive environment. The Roth Family JCC is doing its part to help. They are launching an initiative to provide all-day childcare for elementary, middle, and high school students who are enrolled in virtual/distance learning programs. As part of this initiative, the JCC will offer a safe place for students to do their schoolwork under the supervision of a dedicated academic support professional....
The RAISE program for young adults with special needs is now accepting online applications for a limited number of fall positions. RAISE is a 6- to 12-month work and social skills training program offered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando that is open to all faiths and provides paid employment at our partnering Jewish agencies. In addition, RAISE assists our employees in the transition to finding employment in the community. If you know a young adult who may benefit from RAISE or you are interested in volunteering as a Job...
Calls at the Orlando Senior Help Desk at the Jewish Pavilion have increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Nancy Ludin, CEO, “It is harder to find the resources you need when tours are less available. In recent weeks, we have received numerous calls about assisted-living and rehabilitation facilities. We have also received calls pertaining to medical services, low-income housing, home repair and numerous other topics. Some residents of senior living communities have called with C...
Jewish Academy of Orlando is using Violet Defense, a patented germ-killing technology to fight COVID-19. The UV operated products are designed to prevent the spread of illness-causing germs on any surface. “When our students return to school,” commented Alan Rusonik, JAO’s head of school, “each parent will have the comfort and confidence that every morning their child is entering a facility that has been treated by a state-of-the-art technology designed to irradiate all bacteria as well or better than any school in Orlando.” This technolog...
The Jewish Pavilion wishes to thank Faye Novick for her two successful years as the chairman of the Jewish Pavilion Board. For all her hard work, she was presented with a custom Woman of Valor plaque designed by local artist Judith Segall. Segall specializes in Judaica and Hebrew lettering. Recently, one of her art works was gifted to the new embassy offices in Jerusalem. The Jewish Pavilion feels fortunate to have an artist of her caliber in Central Florida. To contact Judith Segall for...
Ally or Accomplice The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center will present two virtual events in July. As part of the Strategies for Action programs, “Ally or Accomplice: Multiple Pathways to Racial Justice” will be held virtually on July 16 at noon. This session will define the terms ally and accomplice, and explore a variety of ways that each of us can make positive changes towards understanding, community building, and justice. Facilitators Rachel Luce-Hitt, HMREC education director, and Anjella Warnshuis, administrative coo...
The Jewish Pavilion is thrilled to plan four special Shabbat services/programs with Cantor Non Fine on Zoom in July, beginning this evening. The following services will be held on the 10th, 17th and 24th. Each service will be at 4 p.m. She will do one as a Jewish Composers concert with her son, Dylan Caio, on piano. Another will be a concert featuring young artists. Another will be a talent show from children in the community, and one will be a Shabbat spiritual service with a contemporary refor...
Local resident Donna Render wrote a letter to FSU President Thrasher about student president Ahmad Daraldik. She is encouraging others to email him as well. “Ahmad should be expelled and nothing less,” Render said. “A message has to be sent here. Anti-Semitism on campuses have become much too common and the media largely remains quiet. We need to speak out and say this is unacceptable.” Feel free to cut and paste her message below or write your own. President Thrasher’s email address is president@fsu.edu. Dear President Thrasher, It has come...
Hundreds of tickets have already been sold in an online raffle benefiting UCF Chabad's vital work enhancing Jewish life at UCF and Valencia. All of the proceeds gleaned from the $36 tickets will go directly to fund programming; including a grand prize of $10,000, a second prize of two tickets to Israel and various other prizes. The last few months as we are all dealing with the effects of the COVID-19, UCF Chabad has once again seen how vital their work is with the student community. Now more...
Rabbi E. Arnold Siegel is always available to local individuals and families who need a rabbi’s guidance and perspective. It’s a time in our lives that isn’t easy for anyone, and we all go through at some point. When a loved one or even we ourselves get sick or approach the end of life, an essential part of what we need is a listening presence and a voice of hope and healing. That is exactly what JFS Orlando’s Rabbi Siegel provides. Some of the comments from those Rabbi Siegel has helped:...
Jewish Pavilion volunteers Meril Salzburg, Jill Cousins Levy and Peri Goldberg miss senior resident Ruth. The weekly mahjong games may be on hold, but the friendships are still there. Consistent letter writing and phone calls hopefully keep Ruth smiling through this pandemic. Several other friends of Ruth are also reaching out to her on a regular basis. The love of the game of mahjong may have brought these ladies together but now the love of Ruth is what keeps them all staying with her,...
The RAISE program for young adults with special needs is now accepting online applications for a limited number of fall positions. RAISE is a 6- to 12-month work and social skills training program offered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando that is open to all faiths and provides paid employment at our partnering Jewish agencies. In addition, RAISE assists our employees in the transition to finding employment in the community. If you know a young adult who may benefit from RAISE or you are interested in volunteering as a Job...
With all the craziness in the world right now, the Jewish Pavilion is trying to bring love, tradition, and comfort to those who are sheltered in elder-care facilities. Although unable to visit, Pavilion staff and volunteers have been calling and delivering cards, letters, pictures and goodies. The leadership of the Jewish Pavilion is trying to think out of the box for ways to remain in contact with our elders. One of the things the leadership of the Pavilion has learned is that many residents ca...
Blue Halo BioMedical's CEO, Anthony Ruben of Winter Park, recently announced that the company has made the semi-finals of the "Collision From Home" start-up event to be held June 24. Blue Halo was initially chosen as one of 50 start-ups to participate from hundreds of entrants representing innovative firms from across the globe. "[Recently] the team learned our award-winning company and its Blue Halo Coil Catheter are one of an elite handful to have made the semi-finals," said an ecstatic...
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2020 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando in August. “For more than 30 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the Central Florida community have been honored with the selection and presentation of this award,” said Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last year’s recipient was Dick Weiner. Former recipients have inclu... Full story
Combatting racism The Holocaust Center is announcing a multi-faceted approach to educating and empowering all people to combat prejudice and bigotry. The main vehicle will be the unveiling of a new exhibit called, "Uprooting Prejudice: Conversations for Change." Opening in September, the exhibit focuses on the hope-filled activism of Daryl Davis. As a legendary blues musician, he devoted his life not only to the power of music, but also to the power of peace building via courageous and...
The Roth Family JCC is hosting a unique virtual tour through Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in the world. Led by tour guide Rotem Bazar, stroll the alleys of Jaffa and talk about the city's biblical links and the transformation that made it what it is today. There will be two live tours on June 18: 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. To register, visit orlandojcc.org....
Last week, President Trump signed into law the “Never Again Education Act,” which expands the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s education programming to teachers nationwide and requires the museum to develop and disseminate resources to improve awareness of the Holocaust. The first week in June, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center in Orlando held on Zoom the first ever online Dr. Norman M. Wall Teacher’s Institute on Holocaust Education 2020 (previously titled the Summer Teachers’ Institute). Some 40 teachers took part, lea...
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2020 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando in August. “For more than 30 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the Central Florida community have been honored with the selection and presentation of this award,” said Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last year’s recipient was Dick Weiner. Former recipients have inclu...
(JNS) - A Republican primary opponent of a sitting Florida state representative has been accused of engaging in anti-Semitism against the incumbent, who is Jewish. Randy Fine, who represents the Sunshine State's 53rd district and is the only Jewish Republican in the state legislature, has faced ethnic attacks by economist Marcie Adkins and a political consultant for her campaign, Robert Burns. In March 2019, a fake Facebook page was created called "Randy Fine Not So Fine," trafficking in almost...
As of June 1 The Roth Family JCC began to slowly reopen. The Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center opened with smaller classes and new safety protocols. Also opening, to the refreshment of many, was the pool. It will be open Mondays through Thursdays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends. There will be a cap on the number of people allowed in the pool at the same time and the deck is set up for social distancing. The Fitness Center will open on June 6. There will be preprogrammed 90-minute workout sessions on the...
It's been almost three months. That's right, almost three months since the Jewish Pavilion program directors and volunteers have been actually able to go and be with its seniors. Purim came and went with celebrations canceled and everyone thought or hoped that by Passover they would be with the seniors. It wasn't long before it was realized that they weren't going to be with them for Passover nor were they sure when they would be able to visit with the seniors again. The Pavilion's mission is...
