Scene Around

“A museum like no other”...

“The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was established to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to educate the nation and the world about one of the darkest chapters in human history.”

(I received this brochure in the mail recently and will pass it along to you word for word. Now, perhaps more then ever we must be vigilant. A few years ago, my spouse and I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. We were so very touched. Visit if you can... and support the museum if you are able.)

It continues:

“With unparalleled global stature and the world’s most comprehensive collection of Holocaust evidence, the Museum is able to reach millions of people... students, educators, government officials, and civic leaders from around the world... each year about the dangers of unchecked hatred and the need to prevent genocide.

The Nazis tried to erase millions of people from history. But the Museum’s collection of artifacts, photographs, documents and personal testimonies is proof that they existed. It also provides poignant reminders that the Holocaust occurred in a world not too different from our own.

Across the world, in more than 50 countries, the Museum is in a race against time to collect and preserve this evidence before fragile objects disintegrate and while victims and eyewitnesses who are willing to speak are still able. At a time when Holocaust denial is surging worldwide, these artifacts stand as a powerful counter to those who say it never happened. As we approach a moment when our best teachers (the survivors) will no longer be with us, this evidence and this Museum are where the truth will live on.

‘I don’t want my past to become anyone else’s future,’ said ELIE WIESEL, Nobel Peace laureate and Holocaust survivor.

We know that to honor the victims of the Holocaust, remembrance alone is not enough. That is why the Museum is committed to taking an active role in the world in which we live.

The Holocaust did not begin with death camps; it began with hate. Today, the Internet and wireless technologies make it all too easy to spread hatred and false information. In response, the Museum is using interactive projects, social media, and its multilingual website to educate millions worldwide about the Holocaust and the dangers of unchecked hatred.

To ensure that future generations will remember this history, the Museum trains thousands of middle and high school teachers every year on how to educate their students about how the Holocaust happened.

Governments around the world, including our own, stood silent during the Holocaust. The Museum ‘s genocide prevention programs help leaders of US and foreign governments be better prepared to anticipate and confront future genocides.

If you want to learn more, phone 1-800-998-7466 or go online to .

I get emotional when I think about the Holocaust...

Actually, I get emotional about many things, especially now that I am grieving the lost of my spouse. For instance, driving home the other day I heard a song on the radio... “What’ll I do” written by a nice Jewish Russian born American named Israel Isidore Baline better known as Irving Berlin. The lyrics go something like this: “What’ll I do with just a photograph to tell my troubles to? When I’m alone with only dreams of you that won’t come true, what’ll I do?”

Two shout outs...

Two great guys recently came into my life. (Take it easy. Not as love interests, rather as caring children or even grandchildren. Oy vay. I’m old!)

ADAM ZAINTZ, new car sales manager at Auto Nation Toyota Scion in Winter Park, and JOSE OTERO, sales associate, are the guys I refer to.

Recently I went into their establishment with one of my sons to learn more about the cars and to test drive them.

I am the model for all old nervous drivers, so I pitied these guys for getting stuck with me. I told them to pray when I started to drive!

Coincidentally, Adam’s family is and were members of our Jewish community. He and Jose were so kind and understanding... and I could feel their love.

Now that I know how to find them, I will be back again and again and...

Speaking of our community...

I passed a restaurant the other day on Edgewater Drive. It was called Hubbly Bubbly Falafel Shop. The only other place I ever saw a restaurant with the name “Falafel Shop” printed on its window was in Israel. I went in to get me some yum! (And yum it was.)

I met the manager, DANNY DELANEY and picked up a menu. Oh gee, it featured not only falafel but chicken, lamb, steak lentil bowl, hummus... just like the restaurant in Israel! (I’ll be back... maybe not to Israel so fast, but definitely to Hubbly Bubbly Falafel Shop!)

Kindness... yes, kindness...

The Roth Family JCC in Maitland has a class called The Kindness Project. Really! How great is that?

It has already started but the idea of it is so terrific that I will repeat it here:

“Would you like to become a better person? Enhance your relationships? Make the world a better place? All while deepening your appreciation of Judaism?

Jewish teachings offer a wealth of wisdom, inspiration and practical guidance toward living a meaningful life of love, respect and consideration for other people. Learn how they can be applied to your life.”

The classes are held at the J on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. This is a 12 week course at $10 per class (free to JCC members.)

Of course it is midway through the course but there are still classes and you can phone the JCC at 407-645-5933 to learn more.

One for the road...

This struck me funny, silly as it is:

A Hollywood starlet tells her doctor that her body hurts all over.

“Show me” says the doctor.

So she pokes her forearm and screams in pain.

Then she touches her thigh and screams again. She also pokes her toe and screams.

“I think I know what the problem is,” the doctor says. “You have a broken finger!”