Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Even though the volunteers can't visit with our elderly, the Jewish Pavilion made sure that seniors living in area assisted-living facilities had Passover goodies for the Passover week. Here are two senior residents of Savannah Court and Cove in Maitland showing their gifts.... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando continues to make improvements on remote learning based on parent survey results. The school began remote learning only a day after schools across the state nation were closed for weeks or more. The administration conducted a parent survey to determine areas of success and improvement toward its remote learning offering. Alan Rusonik, head of school stated, "We are grateful to all of our families for their participation in our remote learning survey. We had a... Full story
Nancy Ludin, CEO of the Jewish Pavilion, is deeply concerned about the loneliness the residents of assisted-living facilities are feeling during this time of quarantine because of COVID-19. She suggested to the program directors that they write short notes to the senior citizens to brighten their day. She also shared the card sending idea in the article "What's in a card?" (March 27, 2020 Heritage issue) and encouraged Heritage readers to do the same. The results have been incredible as the... Full story
"What JFS Orlando does is the essence of being Jewish," said Dick Weiner of the agency he strongly supports and firmly believes is one of the most important agencies in the community. "The essence of being Jewish is helping anyone in need-Jew or non-Jew." Through this pandemic, the JFS Orlando staff has been working long hours to meet the needs of this community-no matter who is in need. What was on average 18 to 20 families in need of food has become 68 to 70 families daily coming to JFS... Full story
For the past several months, I have been working on "RecycleJ," a new recycling program for The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando. I was prepared to introduce RecycleJ to the preschool students at the Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center during their Shabbat assembly on Friday morning, March 13. But suddenly, COVID-19 uprooted our lives, and by late Thursday afternoon, the Shabbat assembly was canceled, and then the classrooms were restricted, and then all local... Full story
At the Jewish Pavilion we love our seniors, and we so appreciate all that the staff who work in elder-communities are doing to keep their residents safe and happy. Thanks to a generous donor, the Jewish Pavilion brought free lunches to the entire staff at Brookdale Lake Orienta in Altamonte Springs on Wednesday, April 1st. The Jewish Pavilion will continue to offer lunch semi-weekly to health-care workers. The following schedule has been established thus far: Wednesdays on April 8 - Cascade... Full story
The Roth Family JCC is announcing even more ways to stay connected and CEO Keith Dvorchik is helping the Jewish community stick together via his e-mail newsletters, which Heritage also posts for those who aren’t members of the JCC. As we come to the end of March, COVID-19 remains foremost in our minds. With the passage of the Paycheck Protection Act on March 27, there is a lot to learn and share with our agencies, organizations and synagogues. And as the Federation continues to work on a remote basis for the community, there are many exciting t... Full story
Jill Goldsmith is a home seamstress who learned to sew as a girl and continues to sew items that bring her joy and comfort. She has a small home-based business making one-of-a-kind handbags. When the virus first appeared Goldsmith looked at her fabric stash and realized she could make washable, home-sewn masks for friends and family. (These are not masks a frontline caregiver would use, and Goldsmith said the masks must be washed in hot water first. "I did wash all the fabric before any sewing... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando held is first-ever remote model Passover seder with a 1960s-theme for its students, parents and guests using Google Meet. The students told the story of Passover in a traditional way with the four questions, traditional meal (at home), and songs. The 1960s-themed costumes, and songs added to the excitement Students dressed in groovy 1960s gear with tie dye and more; even the faculty and staff participated. From the Beatles to Simon and Garfunkle and Neil Diamond, the... Full story
Applications for the Kobrin Family Scholarship are still available and due by April 30. The Kobrin family created the Kobrin Family Scholarship in 1990 to be awarded to a qualified, full-time student of the Jewish faith from 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. The student must maintain a 3.1 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) each year in order to remain qualified for the scholarship. Visit... Full story
With school and religious school going virtual, this is a wonderful time for children at home to be helping seniors. The Jewish Pavilion has been in touch with the Jewish schools and requested that the children make Passover cards, and "I am thinking of you cards" that the Jewish Pavilion will distribute to seniors. The children are also welcome to make Easter cards, which the Pavilion will help distribute to residents of other faiths. The Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers are also emailing... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando students completed their first week of online learning. Students took part in all of their subjects including math, science, english language arts, PE, art, music and more. They even attended remote community events such as Shabbat and Monday morning minyan. Jewish Academy of Orlando serves central Florida students of all faiths from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. The school delivers a whole-child education fostering academic excellence and character... Full story
Although JFS Orlando is closed to the public and is currently not accepting food donations to maintain containment during COVID-19, its services are still operational, including the Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry. The staff is doing everything in their power to meet the needs of its neighbors in Central Florida during this critical time. That’s why the 2020 Restock Challenge is STILL on! JFS still challenges you to make your donation stretch further. Are you up to the challenge? During the Restock Challenge (March 1—April 15, 2020), The Wei... Full story
In the March 20 issue of Heritage, the article about Brenda Fisher Wetmore, titled “A hard worker for the Jewish Pavilion,” ran a photo of Miriam Josephs, an equally hard worker for the Pavilion. Shown here is a photo of Brenda Fisher Wetmore. Heritage apologizes for the error.... Full story
The smell of matzo ball soup and the sound of chattering voices traveled through the hallways of the UCF Student Union Friday night. Feb. 21, as the UCF community gathered to celebrate Judaism's day of rest, Shabbat. Mega Shabbat was hosted by Chabad at UCF to experience Shabbat and to invite people of all backgrounds to experience the tradition as well. "All of the UCF Jewish community comes together," said Rivkie Lipskier, co-director of Chabad at UCF. "Ninety-nine percent of those who attend... Full story
On March 24, Keith Dvorchik, CEO of The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, issued a statement to all JCC members that the JCC Board of Directors made the decision to temporarily cease operations, effective the end of business on Friday, March 27. This resulted in the lay off of more than 130 employees. “Our employees have worked hard and stepped up when this pandemic began. We appreciate our staff, their hard work and their commitment to children and families at the JCC; there is no more difficult decision than this,” Dvo... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando (JAO) transitioned to remote learning on Wednesday, March 18, missing only one day of school as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. After much faculty preparation and lesson-planning, JAO students will now begin a blended-learning plan. "We are very fortunate to have the dedication of our talented faculty and resources to adapt to these unprecedented times," stated Alan Rusonik, head of school. Blended learning is an approach to education that combines online... Full story
By Ashley Fisak I always opened my birthday card from my grandparents with gusto because I knew it would have a $5 bill inside. I can remember that excitement and now I see it in my own children when they open cards from their grandparents. An unexpected card just out of the blue to say "I'm thinking about you" can put a smile on just about anyone's face. At a time when most of the world is in crisis, there is a side effect to this isolation that all is too common under normal circumstances, let... Full story
DAYTONA BEACH—The 2020 Jewish Heritage Festival scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2020 at The Casements in Ormond Beach, Florida, has been postponed until April 25, 2021 due to the pubic health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus. “Taking into account recommendations from Governor DeSantis and many public health officials to cancel large gatherings for the foreseeable future, we decided that it was in the best interests of the Festival volunteers, entertainers, participants, vendors and Festival-goers to move the Festival until nex... Full story
With the world shutting down around us during the COVID-19 virus outbreak, JFS Orlando continues to operate to make sure people who are hungry get food, elderly who have to travel get a ride, folks who look for spiritual guidance can speak with the rabbi, and families in need have access to a case worker. (For a detailed list of the operational status for each JFS program and service, visit www.JFSorlando.org.) At this time, it is critical to serve our community. And JFS needs your help to do so. Please, donate to us now, at this difficult... Full story
Keith Dvorchik, executive director of the Federation and The Roth Family JCC, made the decision to close both facilities for two weeks, beginning last Monday, March 16. They currently plan to reopen on Monday, March 30. This was a result of the Florida Department of Education announcing that all state schools will remain closed one week beyond Spring Break, reopening on March 30 in Orange County. Dvorchik stressed that there have not been any reported cases of COVID-19 on the JCC campus. “We believe that this decision is in the best interest o... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando kindergarteners raised funds at the school for the Pearlman Food Pantry at Jewish Family services by operating a healthy snack store. The annual program at JAO begins with a cross-curricular study of nutrition and money and incorporates tzedakah (righteous acts of giving). The multi-faceted curriculum includes the benefits of making healthy food choices and mathematics concepts such as counting money and making change. The program also incorporates basic... Full story
If you have purchased tickets to an event, we will email you with details about refunds. Saturday, March 21: The Tribe at Magic game CANCELED Wednesday, March 25: 35+ Basketball League start to season POSTPONED Thursday, March 26: 50+ Basketball League start to season POSTPONED Thursday, March 26: J Ball POSTPONED Saturday, March 28: The Tribe community service project POSTPONED Saturday, March 28: Saturday Night Out CANCELED Sunday, March 29: J Serve POSTPONED Sunday, April 5: Mother/Son Event POSTPONED... Full story
Brenda Fisher Wetmore uses her talents in many ways. An avid supporter of The Jewish Pavilion, Wetmore has been on the Friends of the Jewish Pavilion Board for many years. She actively helps plan each Jewish Pavilion event. An experienced business woman, Wetmore brings valuable planning skills. No job is too big or too small. Always hard working, she sat on the floor organizing auction bidder paddles for the 2013 Gala and models in many of the Fashion Shows, including this year. The Jewish... Full story
The programs offered by the Jewish Pavilion provide Jewish residents at senior living facilities opportunities to connect with their heritage as they share their holidays and Shabbat with their non-Jewish friends. The celebrations are always open to all, helping to develop diversity within each community. Purim, the holiday that commemorates the victory over the tyrant, Haman, in Persia long ago, was celebrate throughout the Jewish Pavilion communities with enthusiastic participation from all... Full story
