Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando held meetings Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 (at the Roth Family JCC and Rosen JCC, respectively) to discuss the results of the community study, conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University with the assistance of UNH Survey Center. The last study was done in 1993 – 28 years ago, and a lot has changed! There are 51,400 Jewish people (41,700 adults and 9,700 children) living in 25,500 Jewish households in Central Florida. In a...
At the end of the first quarter as the spotlight glared at the stage, the Grand Menorah Lighting at Amyway Center captured the thousands of participants as Jewish musical artist Jimmy Levy from American Idol led with singing the Brochos. Chanukah Night gave the city of Orlando the opportunity to celebrate and share the fun spirit of Chanukah. The Grand Menorah was lit in the presence of thousands proclaiming the timeless message that light ultimately triumphs over darkness. "There is no better...
After almost 2 years, this foursome was finally reunited. (l-r, standing) Jill Cousins, Dale Perreault and Debbie Meitin have been playing mahjong with Ruth (seated) for over six years. Ruth resides in Tuscawilla Nursing Home and they all look forward to their biweekly game. Throughout the pandemic, Jill, Dale and Debbie corresponded with Ruth many times, through phone calls and letters. Friendships and special bonds like this are very common through connections made through the Jewish...
Are you already wondering what activities you can plan for your children when school closes for winter break? The Rosen JCC offers Winter Mini-Camps. These camps include art, music, sports and plenty of fun activities. They will run Monday, Dec. 20 – Wednesday, Dec. 22. You can choose the days you want and full or half day options. In addition there are options for extended care. These camps offer different themes and activities to keep kids engaged during the long winter break. To learn more a...
Over a hundred people gathered to honor Gary Becker (l) and Sandi Trainor at the Jewish Pavilions annual luncheon called "JP Connections." The festivities included a tribute to the honorees and their remarks, beautiful awards designed by Sandy Silbert, a holiday shopping bazaar and wonderful raffle prizes. The room was beautifully decorated for Chanukah....
Last year about this time, The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando began The Central Florida Jewish Community Study, conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University with the assistance of UNH Survey Center. The Cohen Center is one of the most reknowned research organizations in the Jewish community. Keith Dvorchik, CEO of the Federation, shared with Heritage that the 104-page study has a lot of information for our community - which has grown to about 51,400...
Upcoming events at the continuing Chanukah festival include: Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Festival of Lights Celebration Join The Roth Family JCC for Festival of Lights. Enjoy latkes, DIY dreidels, and more at this can’t-miss celebration. Here are more ways we’ll be lighting up the night: Overnight Camp Fair, where kids and parents can learn about all of the fun options in store for summer 2022; Compete in the Chanukah Costume Contest for great prizes—the contest will be split into adult, child, and family categories; Check out the kid-fri...
Friday, Nov. 19 was a great day at the Cascade Heights in Longwood. The Jewish Pavilion had the pleasure of facilitating Shabbat services with staff members and volunteers. Residents were engaged in candle lighting, making the blessing over wine and challah. It was wonderful to see so many residents participate. Shown here are Bernice, a resident, with Alex Lehrer. The staff at Cascade Heights facility was welcoming and inviting. - Alexandra Lehrer, Jewish Pavilion administra...
The Mega Challah Bake has re-introduced the joy of challah-making to women throughout the Orlando area, following a year and a half Covid break. On Thursday, Nov. 11, Orlando's Chabad Centers brought the Mega Challah Bake back to Central Florida. One-hundred and fifty Jewish women of all affiliations joined together to prepare and bake challah as a collective, representing participation from all eight of Central Florida's Chabad Centers (South Orlando Chabad held their event on the same night...
A Town Square is defined as an open public space found in the heart of a traditional town, used for community gatherings. In its new direction, the Rosen JCC is adopting a form of the town square concept. In many of the recent articles about upcoming events, The Rosen JCC has referred to itself as "Your Town Square." Is this a new marketing tool? Not really, but it is a different way of envisioning the traditional Jewish Community Center. The Southwest Orlando JCC originated back in 1994 as a sa...
The next event for the Jewish Chamber of Commerce is a breakfast at Toojays on Thursday, Dec. 16, at 8 a.m. Participants will order off the menu. An RSVP is not necessary. The Jewish Chamber of Commerce is open to everyone in the community. It offers a great place to network for business and make new friends. Networking is what the Jewish Chamber of Commerce is all about. On Nov. 16, a large crowd convened at Firebird for drink and hors d'oeurves. The Jewish Chamber of Commerce of Greater...
Join the COS Men's Club online Bridge group, which meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. All are welcome - no age limit, no experience needed and no other forms of discrimination, only a desire to have a fun time learning and playing Bridge. All that is required is Internet access and a laptop/computer to access the game, which is played while on a Zoom call, so participants can kibbitz (explain, question or teach) while playing. The Zoom can be on a cell phone or just leave the zoom app open in...
On Sunday, Nov. 28, Celebration Jewish Congregation will welcome the beginning of Chanukah with the lighting of the community menorah located in Market Street Park near the fountain. For those new to Celebration, it’s at the intersection of Celebration Avenue and Market Street, directly across from Celebration’s original Town Hall and the Post Office. The service will start promptly at 5:15 p.m. Traditional Chanukah prayers will be chanted and lots of great Chanukah songs will be sung to remind us of the miracle of the Chanukah season. All tho...
Join in the fun with Chabad of Altamonte Springs as they celebrate Chanukah with a festival and gelt drop, and honor the Seminole County Fire Department for their service. The event will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in front of the Embassy Suites at Crane’s Roost in Altamonte Springs. Hundreds of chocolate coins (gelt) will be dropped by firefighters from 25 feet up in the air. A grand Menorah lighting will follow, along with latkes and donuts to nosh, a children’s pet...
Little Radical Theatrics is originally based in Yonkers, N.Y. and now based in Orlando. They are known for their all-ages community theater productions. Little Radicals are partnering with the Rosen JCC: Your Town Square to present “The Sound of Music” and Disney’s “Frozen JR.” The performances will include evenings and matinees Nov. 19th – 21st. “The Sound of Music” performances will be: Nov. 19th, 7 p.m. Nov. 20th, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21st, 3 p.m. Disney’s “Frozen JR.” will be shown:...
The Roth Family JCC is having Latke-palooza! Send in your best latke recipes. Its “Cooking with Avivit” blog wants to hear about your Chanukah treats. They will be sharing recipes all December long. Submit recipes to farag@orlandojcc.org....
During the pandemic the leadership at the Jewish Pavilion has been amazed by the positive response of the community toward helping seniors in long-term care. Cards have arrived from all over the country and there is never a week without a shipment of new cards. Recently Zoe Chepenik, a high school student, decided to make over 100 decorated and filled candy jars to share with seniors. She also wrote beautiful cards which said, "Hi! My name is Zoe. I hope you enjoy these. I am an upcoming senior...
Thirteen-year-old Shir recently entertained at one of The Jewish Pavilion's newest sponsors. Providence Living at Maitland welcomed Shir with such delight. She had a repertoire of five Broadway tunes, each that were familiar to the residents. What a delight she was with pure grace, poise, and personality. Her mother, Lora, described her perfectly, "She's an old soul. She gets great nachas and meaning in seeing seniors enjoying. She wishes she could adopt them and hug them!" The Jewish Pavilion...
Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando is proud to announce that its Hope Challenge raised $86,000, which is an increase of over 650 percent compared to its 2020 campaign. During the 2021 Hope Challenge, which ran from Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, each donation stretched even further as the Pearlman-Minkow Families generously matched $0.50 of each $1. Additionally, because of the amazing community response during the challenge, the Albertson family added their own match while the Pearlman-Minkow...
The Market: Artisan and Vendor Market will host “The Harvest Festival” edition at the Rosen Event Center on Sunday Nov. 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Rosen JCC: Your Town Square in partnership with Ear for Each Other created The Market as a way to support furloughed and impacted hospitality workers and bring the community together. It now includes other vendors, local makers, bakers and so much more. This is the perfect opportunity to support local makers and vendors in the local community while getting your holiday shopping done early. The Mar...
What do you get when you combine a healthy dose of appreciation, a gourmet luncheon with friends, and a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping bazaar? The answer is the Jewish Pavilion's "JP Connections," honoring its dedicated volunteers Gary Becker and Sandi Trainor. "Our annual luncheon on Dec. 2nd at 11 a.m. at the Hilton in Altamonte Springs is a yearly opportunity for us to show our appreciation and to connect with our wonderful volunteers and members who support the Jewish Pavilion in so many...
The 23rd Central Florida Jewish Film Festival is back to "in person" showings. Keeping tradition, the opening night and final night films will be shown at the Orlando Science Center's Digital Adventure Theatre, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. All other showings will be at the Enzian, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. Only general admission tickets ($12) and Mensch tickets will be available. Unfortunately, there will not be Series passes this year. To purchase tickets, please visit enzian.org. The...
The holidays are fast approaching. During the holiday season local schools provide students and their families extended vacation time. Many parents find themselves looking for fun activities for their kids to do with this time off. The Rosen JCC provides School’s Out Days. On these days the JCC offers mini-camps, which provide fun and engaging activities. This year there will be a fall and winter session for mini-camps. Here is a list of the camp options and how to register. These camps do fill up quickly so don’t wait to register. Fall 202...
On Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2-4 p.m., JFS Orlando will be hosting the Florida Department of Health, Orange County mobile vaccine unit at its location on 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park, FL 32789. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available, as well as booster shots for those who had their second dose of Pfizer 6 months ago. Free $10 grocery gift cards will be available for all who receive a vaccine. Vaccines and gift cards are available first come, first served. (Second doses, if needed, will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 15th 2-4 p.m.) Call...
The Holocaust Center will host Betty Grebenschikoff at the next virtual “In My Words” event on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from noon to 1 pm. Grebenschikoff was born in Berlin, Germany. Her family was forced to emigrate to Shanghai China when the Nazi’s began their rampage in Europe. Life became more difficult as her family was place in an internment camp, known as the Shanghai Ghetto. She was finally free when she made her way to the United States. She will share her full story and memories of Kristallnacht. To register, visit holocaus...
