Scene Around

Holocaust memory...

This is a new life-affirming perspective on Holocaust memory that I read recently in the World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest. I pass it along to you omitting the many contributors to the book, because they were just too numerous to mention here:

"Seventy years after the liberation of the Nazi death and concentration camps and the end of World War II, as the numbers of Holocaust survivors are steadily dwindling, their children and grandchildren have increasingly assumed responsibility for Holocaust remembrance.

"In the newly published 'God, Faith & Identity from the Ashes: Reflection of Children and Grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors' (Jewish Lights Publishing), edited by WJC General Counsel MENACHEM Z. ROSENSAFT, 88 contributors from 16 countries discuss how the legacy of memory they received from their parents or grandparents have shaped their lives, their careers, and their attitudes toward Judaism, the Jewish people, and humankind.

"The result is an unexpectedly forward-looking, life-affirming new perspective on Holocaust remembrance."

How sad is this?...

I find it especially sad because it involves my ancestry, Ukraine.

My mother was born in Montreal, Canada, the youngest of three. Her parents and older brother and sister fled from the Ukraine because of growing anti-Semitism just at the turn of the last century.

This piece of news, happening these days, like the first story, also comes to us from the WJC Digest:

"For the third time in recent months, swastikas were discovered on the memorial monument dedicated to Holocaust victims in Kiev, Ukraine.

Similar graffiti was found in Babi Yar in October and November, following the annual commemoration of the massacre there.

"This most recent incident (Kiev) comes on the heels of Ukraine's commemoration of International Holocaust Day on Jan. 27, which coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Soviet liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp."

(Will anti-Semitism every cease? I fear not but hope for the best, especially for my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. and all of our descendants.)

A special reminder...

This coming Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m. sharp, the Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors Group will hold a meeting/gathering in the COS Ballroom, 613 Concourse Parkway South in Maitland.

(These events are among the highlights of my year.)

Wonderful musicians/singers, Joe Lupis, Robin Ventura and Jimmy Ventura, members of the group known as "Eastside" will perform.

(The wrong photo of the group ran a few weeks ago in this column. We are sorry for the error and have run the correct one above.)

As always, refreshments and a raffle will follow the entertainment.

The cost is still only $5 for COS Senior members; $8 for all others. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

For further information or directions, contact BERNY RAFF at 407-767-6763 or Congregation Ohev Shalom at 407-298-4650.

A well deserved award...

As an entertainer, I have been privileged to perform with the very talented pianist, MICHAEL KRAMER, and his equally talented son, bassist, BEN KRAMER. But did you know about Michael's wife (and Ben's Mom) SHEILA KRAMER? She is a super-talent in her own right! This happened not too long ago:

The Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce recently recognized its 2015 Small Businesses of the Year at their annual Small Business Celebration and Awards dinner. And one of the winners was my good friend, Sheila Kramer, who is the owner of Seminole County Life Magazines (SCLM).

"Every year, the nominations continue to be stronger and stronger and this year's group included many companies who were deserving to win," said JASON BRODEUR, president and CEO, Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce, pictured with Sheila, who accepted the award on behalf of the three publications that make up SCLM-Lake Mary Life, Oviedo-Winter Springs Life and Altamonte-Wekiva Springs Life.

Before I forget, I want to mention that Michael is managing editor!

(Congratulations, Sheila! We are all very proud of you!)

Attention Seniors...

Of course, I don't mean me. (Shut up!)

You all know I mean me as well as you seniors out there. This is good to know:

Central Florida's only senior Emergency Room is located at Winter Park Memorial Hospital (A Florida Hospital) on Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park.

It features coordinated care designed for seniors.

According to their bulletin, "At Winter Park Memorial Hospital, we've created the first and only emergency room in Central Florida designed for seniors.

Here a team of physicians and clinicians with specialized training in geriatric emergency medicine are uniquely experienced to meet the needs of older adults"

Also, Florida Hospital is ranked #27 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in Geriatrics.

One for the road...

You know you grew up Jewish when...

You spent your entire childhood thinking that everyone calls roast beef brisket.

Your family dog responds to complaints uttered in Yiddish.

Every Sunday afternoon of your childhood was spent visiting your grandparents.

You were as tall as your grandmother by the age of seven.

You never knew anyone who's last name didn't end in one of five standard suffixes.

You can look at gefilte fish and not turn green.

Your mother smacked you really hard and continues to make you feel bad for hurting her hand.

You can understand Yiddish but you can't speak it.

You know how to pronounce numerous Yiddish words and use them correctly in context, yet you don't exactly know what they mean.

You have at least one ancestor who is related to your spouse's ancestor.

You grew up thinking it's normal for someone to shout, "Are you okay? Are you okay?" through the bathroom door if you're in there for longer than 3 minutes.

You have at least six male relatives named David.

You feel a sense of pride after seeing a Stephen Spielberg movie.

You thought that speaking loud was normal.

(I always shout "Are you okay?" when someone is in the bathroom for more than 3 minutes. What?)