Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The following virtual programs will be hosted by the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center. The first on Sunday, June 27 at 3 p.m. is with Holocaust survivor Claire Soria. Hear Soria's story as she remembers vividly, the tanks going down her street as the Nazis invaded Brussels. She recalls the armed soldiers marching into every government building to take down their precious Belgian flags and replacing them with flags with the swastika. Soon after, Jewish children of every age were...
Federation CEO and Executive Director Keith Dvorchik reached out to the Heritage about the Trader Joe’s incident saying that “a lot more happened that wasn’t included [in the article Heritage ran].” After learning of the anti-Israel discourtesy paid the shopper, Dvorchik reached out to Trader Joe’s CEO Dan Bane. Bane assigned the grievance to the regional manager, who failed to address the problem properly. It was then reassigned to their in-house council, who is the head of all Trader Joe’s legal issues and a top executive. Dvorchik contacted...
Everyone knows the game where people sit in a circle and one person whispers something in the ear of the next person. The message is then passed on around the group. Nine times out of 10, the message ends up completely changed, portions deleted or information exaggerated. Such is what happened at Trader Joe's about a month ago. This is what happened. A woman, who will remain anonymous, but I will call "Carol," was checking out of the Trader Joe's in Dr. Phillips. She was engaged in pleasant smal...
On a hot morning in early June, I met with Grandparent Program participants Isa Vogel and Rebekah McNarney, age 9, as Isa was hosting a lovely brunch for her adopted 'granddaughter,' Rebekah and her mother, Lauren. Sitting together at Isa's table was a newly freeing experience after the isolation of COVID and a complete lack of visitors. Delicious homemade food was served by Isa, and the conversation flowed easily. The isolation felt by Isa and many of our seniors was intensified by the death of...
The Orange County Sheriff's Office has designated the Rosen JCC a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community. This designation was earned after the staff completed the required training on how to manage LGBTQ+ individuals who come to the facility feeling they are in danger. The Rosen JCC recognizes many in the LGBTQ+ community struggle with discrimination and acceptance. They want to provide a safe space for those who need a place to go for protection. The Rosen JCC is proud to be a place the...
The Jewish Pavilion is hosting a soiree on July 11 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Dillard’s department store in Altamonte Springs. The store will close early to the public on Sunday to host the first Jewish Pavilion Summer Soiree. “Our partnership for the fashion show was so successful, we wanted to have another great event and open it up to everyone,” said Nancy Ludin, CEO of the Jewish Pavilion. Shoppers will enjoy hors d’oeurves, desserts, signature drink cocktails, wine and craft beers, and entertainment as they shop. There will also be demo...
The RAISE program for 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 Coach,...
The Jewish Community Relations Council recently learned that some of Central Florida’s elected officials have received calls from anti-Israel advocates. The Council has asked, via social media, the community to make phone calls to these officials listed below, beginning with your personal representatives in your district, and send a counterbalancing message. “The objective is to advocate on behalf of Israel and share that our community supports Israel and condemns Hamas as a recognized terrorist organization. It must be emphasized that our mes...
With the dramatic recent rise in antisemitic and hate crimes, Congregation Sinai has become the very first Groveland business to install the new state-of-the-art Blueline 360 Active Threat Early Alert System. They have installed hardened windows, doors and other protective measures for the safety of their membership. They also have developed a close relationship with the Groveland police, to have extra surveillance on hand during all temple activities. Endorsed by Chief Ramsey and the Groveland Police Department, Blueline 360 has developed new...
The Rosen JCC recently hosted a reunion of the Early Childhood Learning Center Class of 2008. Choosing a pre-school can give your child a strong foundation and friends for life. These young adults were excited to be back where it all started. We enjoyed hearing their plans for the future. They shared their career goals, which included Ophthalmology, Air Force, History Teacher, Professional Speaker, Business, Doctor/Physician Assistant, Entomology and Musical Theater. Their next steps are to...
JFS Orlando was selected as the June beneficiary of the Winn-Dixie Community Bag program by store leadership at the Winn-Dixie located at 7800 South Highway 17-92, Fern Park. The organization will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during June, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag. “We are very grateful to have been chosen for the Community Bag program in June,” said Philip Flynn, exe...
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2021 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando this summer. “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 Hank Katzen. Former recipients have inclu...
It was a rally of solidarity and unity between Christians and Jews who gathered at Lake Eola Park on Sunday afternoon to show support for Israel. Organizers of the Stand with Israel Rally, Idit Lotringer, director of the Israeli-American Council Orlando and Laurie Cardoza-Moore, president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, were thrilled with such short notice about the turnout of more than 200 people who peacefully and enthusiastically showed their support for Israel after a crushing 11...
In April 2014, Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees, better known as RAISE, was launched as a work and social skills training program for adults with special needs. Since then, the program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has continued to grow and expand, impacting employees, their families, volunteer job coaches, staff and our community. The program provides paid employment at local Jewish agencies along with one-on-one job coaching and transition to employment....
Timucua Arts Foundation announced today the welcomed the appointment of philanthropist and community leader Geanne Share as president. Share previously served as Timucua's vice president, is a long-time member of the Orlando Ballet board of directors, as well as a board member of Temple Israel Winter Springs, the Jewish Pavilion, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. Share served as president of Kinneret Apartments Affordable Senior Housing from 2015 to 2017, and currently serves as past...
JFS Orlando is excited to introduce Aaron Bernstein, its new director of development. “Aaron brings with him a wide array of experience and knowledge in the nonprofit sector and the business world, along with a unique energy we think will greatly benefit JFS,” said Philip Flynn, JFS Orlando executive director. Prior to establishing his own business development consulting firm, Bernstein was the founder and president of an international bilateral chamber of commerce serving on its Board for 3 y...
The Rosen JCC’s Town Square is excited to announce a partnership with Little Radical Theatrics of Orlando. Little Radical Theatrics is creating a new theater program which values diversity, education and community. They offer Youth Theater programming and All Ages Community Theater productions beginning in the fall of 2021. The inaugural Youth Theater production will be “Frozen Jr.” for first through sixth graders. No audition is required, this is a tuition-based program and space is limited. The inaugural All Ages Community Theater produ...
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2021 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando this summer. “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 Hank Katzen. Former recipients have inclu...
(LOS ANGELES) - With Israel's citizens under massive Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist rocket attacks, the Israeli-American Council and other American Jewish groups organized rallies on May 12 across America in solidarity with Israel and its people. As the violence in Israel worsened, the IAC issued an "emergency call to action" to "Stand with Israel" and "stand up against terror." In Orlando, Idit Lotringer, director of IAC Orlando, and Keith Dvorcik, CEO of the Jewish Federation, quickly...
JFS Orlando's Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry began receiving food donations once again from Sprouts Farmers Market at Winter Park Corners. For the majority of last year, all food donation pick-ups from grocery partners were suspended due to safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the absence of these grocer donations, JFS Orlando purchased additional food from Second Harvest Food Bank, https://www.restaurantji.com/fl/orlando/second-harvest-food-bank-of-central-florida-/ which allowed...
The application deadline for the 2021 Kobrin Family Scholarship has been extended to July 15, 2021. This college scholarship is awarded to a qualified, full-time student in the Jewish communities of Orange, Osceola or Seminole County who will be attending the University of Central Florida. The scholarship is available in the amount of $2,500 per year for a maximum of four (4) years. To learn more and apply, visit www.jfsorlando.org/kobrin-family-scholarship. Students should mail their completed applications to JFS Orlando (2100 Lee Road,...
Kudos to Marci Gaeser, Sharon Littman and Jewish Pavilion volunteers for making Shavuot extra special for the seniors this year. The Jewish Pavilion provided more than 350 seniors with goodie bags for the holiday that included dairy snacks and information about Shavuot. The ladies spent an entire day packaging wonderful gifts for Jewish Pavilion elders whom they cherish. Pictured left to right are Pam Ruben, Shirley Schoenberger, Marci Gaeser, Sharon Littman and Susie Stone, who is the chair of...
Did someone say "fore"? It looks like the Jewish Pavilion and the Orlando Senior Help Desk are back at it again. The PGS Annual Golf Tournament to raise money and awareness for the Orlando Senior Help Desk went off with a shotgun blast this past weekend at Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Course. With a great turnout of 23 teams, the tournament was full of smiling faces, laughs, great conversations, and networking for a great cause. Following on the heels of the Jewish Pavilion's very successful...
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2021 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando this summer. “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 Hank Katzen. Former recipients have inclu...
