Scene Around

This may be controversial...

I don’t honestly know how I feel about this... but I must admit, I am somewhat alarmed.

This comes directly from a Secure America Now bulletin:

“In a speech to the United Nations last week, Israel’s prime minister once again urged the world to stand strong against Iran’s nuclear program. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU exposed Iran’s new president for what he is—A loyal soldier in the Jihadist army of a radical Islamic regime.

Netanyahu pointed out that Iran’s charm offensive has not stopped its nuclear program. Iranian centrifuges keep spinning. Rather, Netanyahu urged the world to tighten the economic sanctions and squeeze Iran’s economy. It is becoming increasingly clear that Israel may be forced to take action against Iran by itself. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “Israel will go it alone if it must. Israel will not permit Iran to attain nuclear weapons. He warned that a nuclear Iran would set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East—which would prove dangerous to the world.”

(And you ask why I seem so depressed these days?)

All about “BDS”...

This is from a Simon Wiesenthal Center bulletin. It is a direct quote from Rabbi MARVIN HIER.

Rabbi Marvin Hier is the dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, Calif.

Here is his quote:

“BDS demonstrations are the rallying call for all the haters and opponents of Israel. The words BDS... Boycott, Divest, Sanctions... has become their national anthem.

“This, they believe, will bring utopia and peace to the Middle East.

“Truth be told, there is a BDS that could turn the tide, but it’s not their BDS. The next nine months are going to be crucial. U.S. Secretary of State JOHN KERRY has secured an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians who will shortly begin face to face negotiations. But we’ve been down that path so many times only to come up short.

“For these negotiations to succeed, we need a new kind of BDS.

‘B’ for boycotting the Brotherhood and their proxy Hamas, who have sown so much turmoil. Look at what a tragic disappointment MORSI has been and what he has done to Egypt. Look at Syria and Hezbollah and the havoc they have wreaked. ‘D’ for divesting ourselves from the naïve notion of dividing Jerusalem. Wherever we have tried that before it has been an utter disaster. It didn’t work for the allies when they divided much larger cities like Berlin and Vienna, how is it going to work for such a small city like Jerusalem? It can only lead to civil war. ‘S’ for sanctioning and standing firm for Israel’s security.”

(I totally agree with him... and also, he wishes all of us L’Shana Tovah and a healthy and happy New Year.)

About the Jewish New Year...

A lovely lady in our community wrote a poem about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  SHEILA WOLFE CARROLL wrote a blessing for the New Year, which was recently published in the Congregation Shalom Aleichem newsletter, of which she is a member:

“It’s that time of year when you pray and hope G-d hears,

I’ve been searching and searching for hope all these years,

But sometimes I wake up with sadness and tears.

To me, it means a lot to hear the Lord’s voice,

Calling me to remember Him and His people with my choice,

I have sorrow on days when people hurt each other with pain,

We all want to believe, because there’s so much to gain,

I say a last prayer for all my friends and family, with hope we will gain

And try to overcome life’s pain.”

A very special event...

On Sunday, Oct. 27, beginning at 9:30 a.m., the Jewish Pavilion will sponsor a “Fall Festival And Walk” honoring Nancye Kobrin and Lynn Steinmetz, at Crane’s Roost Park, Altamonte Springs. It is a health fair and community expo... to be held rain or shine.

Proceeds for this event will enhance the lives of elders through activities and companionship.

Call NANCY LUDIN, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion, for more information at 407-678-9363 or you can go online to nancyludin@jewishpavilion.org or http://www.jewishpavilion.org.

You can also honor or memorialize a loved one with a sneaker on the path... titled “Footprints on the Path.”

For a donation of $50 you can have a sign with a footprint along the walking path with the name of someone you love or for $100 you can have 3 footprints along the path.

Larger donors can purchase larger signage in the form of a high-heeled sneaker for $180. This is a great way to pay tribute to the event’s walk sponsors, HARVEY KOBRIN and CHUCK STEINMETZ, who named the walk in memory of their beloved wives, Nancye Kobrin and Lynn Steinmetz.

(What a wonderful event, filled with fun, and for such a great cause!)

Later on the very same day...

By now, everyone knows (or should know) about the wonderful jazz performances at the Altamonte Chapel, hosted by our own talented ALAN ROCK. The next show features MARTY MORELL and MICHIKO on Sunday, Oct. 27, for a very special concert. Marty says it will be Latin style... and to that I say YES!

(I have a strong connection to Brazil where I often perform and record my CDs and I also have Puerto Rican machatunim.)

Please mark that date down on your calendar.

Marty, who made his reputation playing with the iconic Bill Evans, is now one of The Jazz Professors at the University of Central Florida. He will be “swinging.”

Joining Marty will be The Jazz Professor’s RICHARD DREXLER on piano, with one of my favorites, BEN KRAMER on bass. (Ben and his equally talented dad, have gigged with me in NYC.)

The Altamonte Chapel is located at 825 East State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs. The phone number is 407-339-5208.

The music starts at noon and continues until 2 p.m.

Professional musicians and singers are often encouraged to join in after the first set.

A “Who Dunnit?”...

When my spouse asks that question, it’s always me who’s done it! But getting back on subject:

The Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors will hold their next event on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m.

The Company Players will present “Murder Mystery!!”

This is an open invitation to everyone and their friends to attend something very different...a musical murder mystery!

The great detective team of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (I presume) are investigating a crime. The mystery features musical entertainment and a colorful cast of radio show performers. It will be followed by refreshments.

The cost is $5, COS Senior members; $8, all others.

For details and directions, phone BERNY RAFF, 407-767-6763. COS is at 613 Concourse Pky South, Maitland.

One for the road...

This was sent to me by my buddy, HILDE SANDS:

One day at Kindergarten, the teacher said to the class of 5-year-olds, “I’ll give $10 to the child who can tell me who was the most famous man who ever lived.”

A little Irish boy put his hand up and said, “It was St. Patrick!” The teacher answered, “Sorry, Sean, that’s not correct.” Then a little Scottish boy put his hand up and said, “It was St. Andrew.” The teacher responded, “Sorry Hamish, that’s also wrong.” Finally, a little Jewish boy raised his hand and said, “It was Jesus Christ.” To that the teacher said, “Marvin, you are absolutely right. Here is the $10... but since you’re Jewish, I was very surprised you said Jesus Christ.”

Marvin replied, “Yes, in my heart I knew it was Moses... but business is business!”