Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Roth Family JCC's biggest gala of the year, The J Ball, is coming up shortly. On Thursday, March 26, from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. The Cohen and Presser Family and Shayna's Village Director Karen Duncan will be honored at the Harriett's Orlando Ballet Center. Karen Duncan, who has inspired countless children in Shayna's Village since 2007, will receive the Harriet Weiss JCC Legacy Award. Dine on heavy hors d'oeuvres, enjoy the open bar, view and bid on silent auction items and dance to live...
“Let us unite, and stand for what is right” is the battle cry of the Jewish community members who will be gathered at Lake Eola on Sunday, March 15 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate their diverse and growing community and stand against growing anti-Semitism. In addition to being unified, attendees will enjoy the music of Ari Lesser, kosher foods available for purchase, messages from local leaders and children’s activities. Ari Lesser is a well-known Jewish American rapper, singer, songwriter, and spoken-word artist. Known for his videos on Is...
Jewish Academy of Orlando celebrated Purim with a megillah reading, celebration, performances, delivery of mishloach manot (Purim baskets), and grogger sculpture creations. Third and fourth-grade students performed in the annual Purim play that tells the holiday's story through music and dance. At the Purim celebrations, the students participated in games and songs and even read from an emoji megillah. Kindergarten students, dressed in costumes, visited residents at Savannah Court. They sang...
Julie Levitt, Susan Bernstein and Hope McCormack, Jewish Pavilion program directors, are planning "Seders for Seniors" to celebrate Passover in elder-care communities throughout the greater Orlando area. Each program director works with the communities they visit to ensure a traditional holiday meal. Recipes are shared with the community chefs that do not have Jewish cooking experience. Can you smell the chicken soup with matzo balls? The seniors will soon. Who will ask the four questions?...
Jewish Academy of Orlando fifth graders made a whole lot of noise on Purim with their homemade grogger sculptures....
Keith Dvorchik, executive director of the Federation and the Roth Family JCC, made the decision to close both facilities for two weeks, beginning March 16. They currently plan to reopen March 30. This was the result of the Florida Department of Education announcing that all state schools will remain closed one week beyond Spring Break, reopening March 30 in Orange County. Dvorchik stressed that there have not be any reported cases of COVID-19 on the JCC campus. "We believe that this decision is in the best interest of our community... Over the...
The Jewish Family Services’ Restock Challenge food drive is here once again (through April 15, 2020). JFS Orlando challenges you to make your donation stretch further! During the Restock Challenge, The Weiner Family and The Winter Park Wealth Group will generously match $0.50 for every $1 or pound of nonperishable food you donate to restock JFS Orlando’s Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry, with a total match up to $10,000. Are you up to the challenge? Last year, the Restock Challenge collected enough donations to feed more than 900 families. Ple...
(MELBOURNE, FL)-The world held its breath for seven days In 1976, after an Air France airplane carrying 250 passengers to Paris from Tel Aviv was hijacked by terrorists. The Israeli mission to rescue them, known as Operation Thunderbolt, is just one of the many moving events depicted in the new documentary film, "Cojot," which will be screened at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at the Premiere Theaters Oaks 10 in Melbourne. "Cojot," a film by Boaz Dvir, is narrated by actor Judd Nelson and tells...
Back by popular demand, Dr. Ken Hanson returns to Temple Israel on Saturday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. to bring the Dead Sea Scrolls to life. and Dr. Hanson's entertaining presentation, followed by dessert, refreshments, and a book signing will be held in the Roth Social Hall for Havdalah. Tickets are $10 for individuals and $18 for couples, with a $5 cash donation for wine and beer. This time, the topic of his presentation is "The 2000-Year-Old Man." A "space-time warp" has transported a hapless...
World War II novelists are next visiting authors The Roth Family JCC will present novelists Jan Eliasberg and Kristin Harmel at the next visiting author event on Thursday, March 12, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Both novels take their readers on inspiring journeys during World War II. Eliasberg's spy thriller, "Hannah's War," tells a story of love, war, deception and espionage whose heroine was inspired by a real-life female physicist. Harmel's novel, "The Winemaker's Wife," tells a story about the...
The Annual Congregation Sinai Men’s Club Golf Tournament is open to the entire community. It will take place on Sunday, March 29, in Clermont, Florida. This scramble format golf tournament will start at the Green Valley Golf Course at 8 8.m. Shotgun will start at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $55, and includes: 18 Holes of Golf, Range Balls, Lunch, On-Course Contests, Prizes & Awards After Tournament. There is an extra bonus option of a special $10 ticket, which includes room for 3 Mulligans. They are looking for individuals and teams of up to 4 g...
The need was evident. When looking for a grief support group, every group listed was held at a church. If you are Jewish, churches are not necessarily comfortable surroundings. Seeing a cross or statue of Jesus is not comforting. The Jewish Pavilion recognized the need for Jewish people to have an inviting atmosphere to contribute to their healing. They teamed with VITAS and Rabbi Maurice Kaprow and began semi-annual support groups at non-religious places. Grieving for a loved one is always difficult. Bereavement support groups teach methods...
Jewish Academy of Orlando second-graders raised funds in the grade's annual Fun Run to benefit a Habitat for Humanity house. The students later visited the house and presented the check to the organization. The annual program at JAO begins with a cross-curricular study of economics. Students learn about the three basic human needs: food, clothing, and shelter, while also learning the differences between a want and a need. They build their own model houses and conduct a Fun Run to raise money to...
No successful event is ever accomplished alone. It takes organization and attention to every detail. The Jewish Pavilion Fashion Show held on Feb. 26 was one of those well-coordinated events. Honoree Penny Goldstein and her husband, Steven, sponsored a beautifully presented breakfast from Bagel King. Dillard's went beyond expectations creating an extraordinary gift bag for Jewish Pavilion Pearls members filled with fabulous gifts and an exclusive invitation to a make-up demonstration in April. The models said it was the best experience they...
