Scene Around

Former secretary of state...

No! I'm not referring to HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON and her private (and not so private) emails, although that's all we seem to be hearing about in the news these days (at least as I write this column in advance),

Rather, I'm referring to HENRY KISSINGER, who served as secretary of state to Presidents Nixon and Ford.

I recently received this bit of news from the World Jewish Congress (WJC) Digest and pass it along to you:

"Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger was this year's recipient of the World Jewish Congress' prestigious Theodor Herzl Award. Journalist, BARBARA WALTERS (who is also Jewish) and WJC President Ambassador RONALD S. LAUDER, presented the award to the 91-year-old statesman.

Addressing more than 500 guests at Manhattan's Waldorf Astoria hotel, Amb. Lauder noted that the German born Dr. Kissinger was America's first Jewish secretary of state, possessing 'an unusual combination of knowledge, brilliance and skill.' He highlighted his efforts to secure peace in Vietnam and in the Middle East, including helping to bring Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem, a first step that led to the signing of the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty in 1979.

In her presentation remarks, Barbara Walters hailed Dr. Kissinger as 'a Jewish boy from a small German town who experienced discrimination because he was a Jew and grew up to become one of the most esteemed and respected secretaries of state of the greatest nation on earth, engaging in international diplomacy that helped to change the course of history.'

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Kissinger spoke of the resurgence of anti-Semitism across Europe and around the world and stressed that we are at a time of 'enormous upheaval in the world, a period in which many of the institutions we're familiar with are under attack' and in which 'the Jewish people have again, in some countries, become the object of severe attacks.'

Dr. Kissinger went on to describe Israel's unique position within the international community: 'For every other country, the recognition of existence is taken for granted.  Israel is asked to pay an admission price before it is recognized and can participate in the international system.'

Stressing the critical importance of the friendship between the United States and Israel, he added: 'In the years ahead, the U.S. needs to keep in mind what it will defend, even if it has to achieve together with allies, and finally what is beyond its capacity. The survival of Israel and the maintenance of its capacity to build a future is a principle we will pursue, even if we have to do it alone.'

WJC's Theodor Herzl Award recognizes individuals who carry forward Herzl's ideals for a safer, more tolerant world through international support for Israel and enhanced understanding of Jewish History, culture and and peoplehood. The award has been presented to former Israeli President Shimon Peres, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel and his wife, Marion, and posthumously to President Ronald Reagan.

Pesach is almost here...

On Erev Passover, Friday, April 3rd, Congregation Ohev Shalom (COS) will hold a community seder led by Rabbi DAVID KAY. Members and guests are invited to attend this wonderful event catered by Amira and Sonia.

(My spouse and I attended last year and enjoyed it thoroughly.)

The seder will begin at 7 p.m. at COS, 613 Concourse Pkwy South, Maitland, 32751.

You must RSVP by March 25th. For questions, phone 407-298-4650.

Another community seder...

Temple L'Chayim of Clermont will be hosting a special Passover service and seder featuring Rabbi HOWARD SCHWARTZ and Cantor ISAAC KRIGER on Saturday, April 4.

This event will be open to everyone. It will be held at the Clermont City Center, 620 West Montrose Street in Clermont, Florida 34711 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The story of Passover will be briefly shared during the seder service by reading the Haggadah

A very interesting book...

And a very intriguing title... Our own NANCY LUDIN, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion is proud to tell us about her son, DANIEL, and a book he authored. This is his email to me:

"The book is called "Hates us All" by Carl Ludin. I used my middle name (Carl) to try and distance myself from the lead character.

The book is being sold exclusively through in their kindle library. For anyone wishing to read the book that does not have a kindle, there is a kindle reading app available for phones, computers and tablets. 

Short synopsis: I wrote this short novel in homage to Hank Moody on Californication. It is an attempt to justify Hank's literary prestige on the show. However, I quickly realized that his own experience did not match that of the character and moved the story to his city, the city of Atlanta.

This book takes you on a journey of Atlanta through the eyes of a young professional struggling to find love and meaning in his life. It is an attempt to write a book in the style described on the show, "Nihilism based in Romanticism." In a world where love is prominent in every interaction, what is the meaning of love?

In high school I wrote a few pieces for the Heritage and really enjoyed the experience. I then went to the University of Florida, graduated in business and moved to Atlanta where the story takes place."

(It was great hearing from Daniel. I intend to read it!)

Shout outs...

Recently my friend HILDE SANDS and I went to a complimentary showing of a movie dealing with early onset Alzheimer's disease titled "Still Alice." I knew that actress JULIANNE MOORE won the Oscar as best leading actress for the film. What I didn't know at the time is that writer, director, Richard Glatzer, who recently died, was Jewish.

Anyway, the movie was presented by Compass Research and the entire audience was over 65. (Except me, of course...?)

Upon leaving the theater, I seemed confused ... forgot where I parked the car, etc. (That scared the beegeebers out of me!)

From there, Hilde and I went to dinner at the Olive Garden Restaurant in Winter Park.

Our waiter, LARRY JASON WONN, was so delightful that I forgot that I was forgetting... (and that I was over 65!)

One for the road...

To avoid a catastrophe during a raging storm, the captain of the Kosher Yenta, the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever launched, decided to dock at a small port on a Caribbean island.

But it was too far down to the dock below for the ship's standard gangplank to reach, so passengers who wanted to leave the ship were asked to use a makeshift narrow piece of wood as a passageway down to the dock. 

All of a sudden Sadie, aged 80, appeared at the top of the plank. The captain just stood there motionless, wondering whether she would make it down safely as there was no room for anyone to assist her.

But to his great relief, Sadie edged along very slowly and eventually made it down to the dock. However, as soon as she got down, Sadie looked back up to the top of the plank and shouted, "It's OK mommy, you can come down now."

(Oy vay!)