Scene Around

A FAIR United Nations? (We can only hope.)...

I read this in the latest World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest. (But I sort of new it already.) I pass it along to you:

"Some 1,000 participants from a dozen countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands and Switzerland, gathered in Geneva on June 29th (before the massive immigrant migration from Syria) to express their support for the State of Israel as the UN Human Rights Council held another debate on Israel and on the Commission

Of Inquiry report into the 2014 Gaza conflict.

Members and supporters of more than 80 NGOs, including Jews and Christians, traveled to the Swiss city to show their solidarity for the Jewish state and to urge the UN to treat Israel fairly. WHC played a major role in organizing the rally.

In his speech at the event, World Jewish Congress CEO ROBERT SINGER said, ' The reason we are here today is to tell the United Nations that it needs to change.

It needs to overcome its obsession with Israel. This obsession is destructive and it stands in the way of an effective human rights policy that is so badly needed.'

He insisted that Israel had a right to defend itself against Hamas. 'Gaza is still an occupied territory, but the occupier is not Israel. It's a terrorist movement called Hamas,' he said, adding: 'Blaming Israel for every woe has become a sport. Not just here at the UN, but here especially.'

OFIR LIBSTEIN, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Azza, which is one kilometer away from the Gaza Strip, described the impact of the constant rocket fire from Gaza on his family:

'My four little sons were born into a 15-second reality: the time between the rocket alert and the explosion. When they turned two, we had already trained them to run for cover.'"

(What a nightmare if I ever heard one! Hopefully things will improve and quickly, but don't count on it.)

Remembering Jewish history...

On Sept. 13, 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yassir Arafat signed the Oslo Accords on the White House lawn. Then President BILL CLINTON was present.

(I remember watching it on television!)

A Great Family...

I refer to the Meister family, wonderful Theodora (Teddy) and her equally wonderful husband Seymour. Unfortunately, both are deceased but their children and grandchildren are still in the area.

Their daughter, HILLARY MEISTER, is close by in Georgia (I believe), but son, NATHAN, and his beautiful wife, BARBARA, have a business right here in town. Nathan's daughters, LILY, (her spouse TONY and their adorable children) and ELSA, are here as well.

And my very favorite, aunt MILLIE CHIRA (a long-time dear friend of mine) is here too..

I love and trust these folks with my life... and my windows!

Nathan and Barbara own Baxter Windows, energy efficient windows and doors, right here in Central Florida.

I had the pleasure of going out to lunch with Nathan, Barbara and aunt Millie, recently.

What wonderful folks! They cheered me up and fed me well!

You can read about them and their company online at http://www.baxterwindows.com or you can phone them at 407-341-9983. (When you do, tell them I send my love.)

Maybe it's too soon, but I love to sing...

Although I recently lost my beloved spouse, I will try to go on and fill my life with things I love, like this column, for one, and entertaining!

So, on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. sharp in the Congregation Ohev Shalom Ballroom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, in Maitland, the COS Seniors will gather for their monthly meeting/social event, under the direction of their wonderful president BERNY RAFF.

I will be singing (or trying to) and so will my cousin EDDIE VAZZ, a wonderful professional singer. We will be accompanied by the very best in the business. (I should know. I've had the pleasure of working with many of the "best" in the business.)

SYL LAFATA, will be playing clarinet, probably better than anyone you've ever heard (including look-a-like Benny Goodman)... My very favorite pianist, MICHAEL KRAMER and his son, my very favorite bassist, BEN KRAMER will also be backing Eddie and I on the songs we love the best!

No reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be served!

The cost of the event is only $5, COS Senior members; $8, all others.

For further information, contact Berny at 407-767-6763.

Speaking of "All That Jazz"...

On Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m., the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Chamber Series presents Le Jazz Hot Gypsy Jazz.

For more information on this event, phone 352-383-2165 or go online to http://www.MountDoraLive.com>

One for the road...

Bud, from Texas, is on holiday in Israel and meets farmer Shlomo there. Bud asks Shlomo what he does. 

"I raise a few chickens," says Shlomo. "I'm also a farmer." 

"So am I. How much land do you have?" asks Bud. 

"Fifty meters in front, and almost a hundred at the back." 

Now it was the turn of Shlomo to ask a question. 

"You're from Texas, so what about your farm?" asks Shlomo. 

Bud tells him, "On my farm, I can drive from morning until sundown and not reach the end of my property." 

"That's too bad," says Shlomo. "I once had a car like that."

(So did I! Thank goodness for AAA!)