Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 378 - 402 of 3552
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...
Wartime veterans and their surviving spouses, 65 years and older, may be entitled to a tax-free benefit called Aid and Attendance provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs. They must have served some time in active duty. The benefit is designed to provide financial aid to help offset the cost of long-term care for those who need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring. The benefits are quite significant. The single veteran may earn approximately $2000 per month. The...
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...
There will be a joint venture between the Jewish Chamber of Commerce and the Pride Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, July 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This is a networking Happy Hour will be held at Watercrest Senior Living, 1501 Glendon Parkway, Winter Park, Florida 32789. The party will be held 'alfresco' (dining in the fresh air) in the dining/pool side area, with a contingency plan for moving inside if there is rain in the forecast. "Watercrest Senior Living is a gorgeous, well-run, luxury...
Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando is proud to announce that its Restock & Rebuild Challenge raised over $63,000, which is nearly double the amount raised in their 2021 campaign. This year during the Challenge, which ran from March 15th through April 30th, the community’s donations made twice the impact for those in need thanks to The Weiner Family and The Winter Park Wealth Group, who generously matched donations dollar for dollar. The funds raised will help JFS Orlando continue to meet the increasing needs of the community now and in t...
Don't feel guilty to set work boundaries. Practicing professional self-care might look like taking time for lunch breaks, only answering phone calls and emails during work hours, or letting your boss and co-workers know that when you spend time away from work, you need to be away from work. This helps you recharge and get the energy you need so you can focus and do your best when you're back. These practices might seem small, but making little tweaks like these can make a big difference on your...
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...
While most seniors prefer to stay in their own homes as long as possible, official records show that home injuries are the biggest reason for adult hospitalization, especially for women. These staggering numbers are contributed to by household chores such as cooking, tinkering and cleaning. It goes without saying that the elderly are a bigger risk because of their frail health. One fall could be fatal for them, which is why they should be extra careful when doing chores. Hiring a home companion...
Central Florida Hillel has been shaping Jewish leaders for the last 20 years and is now taking the time to reflect and celebrate at a special dinner: "Honoring the Past, Charging into the Future: an Evening Celebrating 20 years of Central Florida Hillel." The event will highlight CFH's many achievements throughout the years, as well as the leadership, vision and generosity of the Ginsburg family and Hank Katzen and past CFH presidents. From 2001 to 2013, Central Florida Hillel occupied spaces...
The RAISE work and social skills training program for adults with special needs is now acception online applications for RAISE employees as well as opportunities to volunteer as a RAISE job coach. For more information or to apply, visit wwwljfgo.org/raise or call 407-645-5933, ext. 236....
Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando continues to partner with Central Florida Hillel to better meet the mental health needs of UCF students. Since last August, JFS Orlando therapist Shaina White Williams, MSW has been available for open counseling hours at Hillel. She meets with students for one-on-one support on-campus and virtually, developing a sessions timeline that is therapeutically appropriate for each student. She and a partner therapist also provide group therapy during monthly...
Grief is a noun that means deep sorrow especially caused by someone's death. The most difficult challenges include coping with the loss of a child, spouse, parent or sibling. The Jewish Pavilion offers a grief support service twice a year. The program is six weeks long and takes place on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. from May 9 to June 20 at Cascade Heights in Longwood. This free grief support group is being run by Judy Kahan Davis who is a social worker. The program helps participants deal with their...
The Jewish Pavilion is known for their fabulous fun events throughout the year. Their signature event is their summer cocktail party that normally attracts an audience of 150+ individuals of all ages. On Sunday, June 12, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.the Jewish Pavilion will hold their annual cocktail party at Land Rover Orlando, 199 South Lake Destiny Drive. For only $20, participants will enjoy superb appetizers and desserts along with a large array of signature drinks. Annual sponsors of the Jewish Pavilion...
