Scene Around

Unity in Paris, France...

I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with my spouse in Paris a few years ago, although a single glass of diet coke at a Paris sidewalk café cost us $9 American. (Oy vay.) It might be higher today.

I recently received this story from the World Jewish Congress digest (WJC) and I pass it along to you:

“World Jewish Congress CEO ROBERT SINGER and other WJC leaders joined with heads of state from some 40 nations, leaders of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF), European Jewish Congress and marchers at the historic Rally for Unity in Paris on Sunday, Jan. 11, which drew, according to some reports, more than 3.7 million people, the largest such gathering in France’s history.

Later that evening, WJC President Ambassador RONALD S. LAUDER met with French President FRANCOISE HOLLANDE at the Elysee Palace where he pledged added protection for Jewish citizens and Jewish sites, and welcomed the news that WJC may re-open a representative office in Paris.

Ambassador Lauder also met with Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU and attended a special memorial service at the Grand Synagogue of Paris, where PM Netanyahu delivered a passionate speech.

The evening before, the synagogue closed its doors for Shabbat services, the first time since World War II.

Islamic jihadist attackers killed 17 people in all, including at a kosher market where hostages were taken and four were murdered.

‘Three years after the massacre at a Jewish school in Toulouse, and eight months after the deadly attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, we are faced with an Islamist terror campaign in Western Europe,’ said Amb. Lauder. ‘We must not be intimidated by this campaign. If we stand united in defense of freedom and against hatred and intolerance, we will win.’

The WJC leaders also traveled to Brussels where they participated in seminars to address the security needs of global Jewish communities in the face of growing threats and announced that WJC will set up a special department to deal with the security of Jewish communities worldwide.

France is home to approximately 600,000 Jews, Europe’s largest Jewish community and third largest in the world. As reported in earlier issues of World Jewry Digest, a record 7,000 Jews immigrated to Israel in 2014 in the wake of rising anti-Semitism.”

(I pray that anti-Semitism in Europe ends entirely so Jews can stay in their home-countries where they have friends, relatives, memories and other ties. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen.)

Speaking of anti-Semitism...

On Feb. 14, back in 1896 in Vienna, Austria, Theodore Herzl published Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State).

In it he outlined the need for a politically independent Jewish nation that Jews from all over the world could call home and have the ability to freely practice their religion without fear of anti-Semitism or persecution.

(Thank goodness for Israel... but how sad it is that our people still have to fear persecution and anti-Semitism around the world... and even in this wonderful country of ours. I repeat... how sad.)

A reminder...

Temple L’Chayim of Clermont will be hosting a special Purim Concert & Party featuring a medley of festive songs and traditional Jewish music. This event will be open to everyone.

It will be held at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center on Saturday, March 7, starting at 7 p.m. and located at 3700 South Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34711.

Purim concert tickets are $20 per person in advance. Seniors over 60 and children under 10 are only $15 with advance ticket purchases.

All tickets will be $25 per person at the door.

Treats, including hamantaschen, and other refreshments will be served.

Golden Years should be celebrated...

I recently heard from IRENE ABRAMOWITZ representing Temple Israel of Viera, (near Melbourne and Rockledge) as they approach their Golden Jubilee event. I pass it along to you:

“On Sunday, March 15, Temple Israel of Viera will celebrate their Golden Jubilee featuring famed mystery and suspense authors, FAYE and JONATHAN KELLERMAN.

The festivities begin with a Silent Auction at 4:30 p.m. at Temple Israel, 7350 Lake Andrew Drive, Viera, Fla. 

A mouthwatering kosher dinner will be served at 6 p.m.  Beer and wine will be served. Immediately following dinner, the authors will speak and participate in a book signing. Books will be available for purchase at the event for the respective author to sign.

Faye Marder Kellerman is an American writer of mystery novels, in particular the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series as well as three non-series books, “The Quality of Mercy,” “Moon Music” and “Straight into Darkness.” Faye’s groundbreaking first novel, “The Ritual Bath,” which introduced readers to Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, was published in 1986 to wide critical and commercial acclaim, winning the Macavity Award for the Best First Novel. 

Jonathan Kellerman is an American psychologist and award-winning author of numerous bestselling suspense novels. In 1985, Jonathan’s first novel, “When The Bough Breaks,” was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. It was also produced as a TV movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel.  

Seating is limited. Tickets for the Golden Jubilee are currently available as follows: nonmembers, $110 per person; Table of 8 selected friends, $1000.

For further information contact Temple Israel 321-631-9494, http://www.tiofbrevard.com.”

(Fabulous writers, fabulous event... not to be missed!)

Broadway in Orlando...

“Motown the Musical” is opening at the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 455 S. Orange Ave, in Orlando on Tuesday, March 10, beginning at 8 p.m.

It will run through Sunday, March 15.

It began as one man’s story... became everyone’s music... and is now Broadway’s musical. “Motown The Musical” is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat.

For further information, call the Dr. Phillips box office at 407-839-0119.

(Not to be missed!)

Shout outs...

Am I dreaming? I feel like I’m back in the days of public school (PS) 233 and also high school and I live at 514 Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn again! I am a youth!

(So why is my face wrinkled, my hair beginning to turn grey and why do I waddle when I walk?)

What gives me that fabulous youthful feeling are my taste buds taking me back to a time long (very, very long) ago when I was still young and living in New York City. I recently tasted a pizza that took me back!

(But wait! I still have wrinkles!)

I’m referring to Anabela’s Neighborhood Pizza restaurant, 7124 Aloma Avenue Suite B, Winter Park. It is a delicious New York style pizza (like I remember) and is simply awesome!

JAMES GARFIELD, owner, even gave me a free slice of pizza and a bottle of water to consume while my pizza was in the oven!

(Okay... who will even notice the wrinkles when they see all the weight I will have gained? Who cares? Let’s eat!)

One for the road...

I love this joke:

Mrs. Goldstein was out golfing one day when she hit her ball into the woods. She went into the woods to look for it and found a frog in a trap. The frog looked up at her and said, “If you release me from this trap, I will grant you three wishes.” Not a person to miss a trick, Mrs. Goldstein immediately freed the frog.

The frog thanked her and said “I’m sorry but I failed to mention that there is a condition to your wishes—that whatever you wish for yourself, Mr. Goldstein will get 10 times more or better!” 

Mrs. Goldstein replied, “That’s OK – I’m happy to accept your condition. For my first wish, I want to be the most beautiful woman in the world.” The frog warned her, “You do realize that this wish will also make Mr. Goldstein the most handsome man in the world, women will flock to him like bees to honey.” Mrs. Goldstein replied, “It’s not a problem, because I will be the most beautiful woman and he will only have eyes for me. So, “KAZAM”—Mrs. Goldstein is the most beautiful woman in the world! 

For her second wish, Mrs. Goldstein asked to be the richest woman in the world. The frog said, “That will make Mr. Goldstein the richest man in the world and he will be 10 times richer than you.” Mrs. Goldstein said, “It’s not a problem, because what’s mine is his and what’s his is mine. So, “KAZAM”—Mrs. Goldstein is the richest woman in the world! 

The frog then inquired about her third wish to which Mrs. Goldstein answered, “I’d like a mild heart attack.” 

Moral of the story: Women are clever B**ches. Don’t mess with them.

(it may take a little thinking to get it... but funny, I assure you!)