Scene Around

Before I start this column...

I want to express my deepest sympathy to the loved ones of those who were murdered in the recent Paris massacre. My prayers are also for the people who were seriously wounded.

How cruel. How sad. How sick.

The brilliance of Israeli universities...

I'm sure that most of you already know about the great strides being made in Israeli universities, many involving medical solutions.

For instance, here are some of the accomplishments of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev:

Water is so scarce in the Middle East that many experts predict that water, not oil, is the liquid over which the next regional war could be fought. Ben-Gurion University is the epicenter of Israel's efforts to show the world how to make the most of every drop of water in desert conditions. Their research includes the use of nanotechnology to improve the efficiency of water filtration. Ben-Gurion University's Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research has also developed breakthrough techniques for reusing and desalinating scarce desert water.

Ben-Gurion is also a global leader in developing renewable energy whose sources are both clean and bountiful. Their Energy Initiative is coordinating a university-wide effort to find renewable sources of energy. Their researchers have developed a new design for a concentrator solar cell that generates efficiencies that rival the most effective photovoltaics. No institution is more renowned in the field of solar energy. Panels developed at Ben-Gurion can magnify the light of the sun by a factor of 10,000. Researchers are also developing storage techniques that could enable Israel to get 90 percent of its power from the sun. But solar energy is only where the university's renewable energy resource begins. Researchers have also developed ingenious techniques for drawing energy from such unlikely sources as algae.

Other advances cover desert agriculture and the environment. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is designing a new future with creative and unconventional thinking!

And if that isn't impressive enough, read on: The Times Higher Education Ranking named Tel Aviv University the only institution of higher learning in Israel to rank among the top 200 in the world... and the number one university in Israel! This ranking was no doubt fueled by the incredible scientific advances emerging from it, like the work of Dr. OMRI BRONSTEIN and Prof. YOSSI LOYA, both of the Department of Zoology. They've discovered that chemicals found in most sunscreen lotions pose an existential threat to young corals, a critical finding if the world's coral reefs are to be protected.

Or the work of Dr. CARMIT LEVY whose team of researchers has uncovered the triggers that causes melanoma cancer cells to transform from noninvasive cells to invasive killer agents. This research may provide medical professionals with another tool of analysis of different stages of melanoma and may be the key to saving lives. There is so much more that can be written about Israeli Universities... but you know that!

"Delicious" is an understatement...

I received an email from Jewish Pavilion Marketing Director PAM RUBEN. I pass it along in part and will send the rest in another column: "Pam Ruben showed her appreciation for the sponsors and restaurant vendors who dished out a taste of home at 'A Taste In The Park' and multi-generational festival and showcased the traditional and cultural foods that the Jewish Pavilion serves up to its seniors. She noted that these 'foods of remembrance' benefit elder-care residents in countless ways and bring comfort to the seniors along with memories of happy times.

On Nov. 8, guests at the multi-generational 'Taste' also found comfort in the foods of tradition, and lined up for chef NATHAN SHIFFLET's (Brookdale/Horizon Bay) gourmet kugel made from a family recipe handed down from his mother, Sally. She was a stickler for fresh food straight from the source and Nathan's artisanal kugel fresh from the Horizon Bay ovens did his mom proud."

(I have to add my two cents here. Nathan's kugel was the very best kugel I have ever tasted in my life... 40, 45 years or so. OH SHUT UP! I'm not as old as you think. Also, besides the magnificent taste of the kugel, it had NO calories!)

A beautiful lady, inside and out...

I am referring to HARRIETT LAKE, of course. There will be a special event starting this weekend and should NOT be missed. It is a once in a lifetime jewelry event. Starting Saturday, Nov. 28 and continuing through the holidays on Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays (closed Sundays and Mondays), at Adams Jewelry, Corrine Drive, Orlando, DAVID ADAMS is pleased to announce a jewelry event honoring the legacy of Harriett Lake with proceeds benefiting Seminole State College Foundation.

We can purchase a treasure from Harriett's personal jewelry and handbag collection priced from $25 to $50,000.

She is a beautiful woman with fabulous tastes, so plan to attend.

For further information and directions, phone 407-894-5871.

A special reminder...

Temple Israel in Winter Springs is holding a musical murder mystery titled "Marriage is Murder" or "Who's Ready to Renew Their Vows?" It is their annual fundraiser and will be held in the Temple Israel social hall on Saturday, Dec. 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The dinner theater show was written and directed by award-winning playwright, KEN EULO, who has written for TV, movies and a multitude of stars.

The entertainment begins with a cash bar and delicious assortments at 6:30 p.m., and dinner and a show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $70.

For more information, phone 407-647-3055.

The best show of the year...

This is a reminder as I believe I mentioned it earlier. So here goes:

The next COS Seniors gathering will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6th at 2 p.m. sharp. Rabbi DAVID KAY will be the performer that day and is sure to please everyone.

Long before he was a rabbi, David played in an original rock band, sang with an acoustic duo, and performed solo in and around his hometown of Chicago. He was a founding member of the Jewish Theological Seminary's acapella group, Note-Nim, and can be heard as the voice of Haman in the video, audio CD, and educational software versions of the clay-mation rock opera interpretation of the Book of Esther, Purim Rocks!

Rabbi Kay appeared as Lazar Wolf in Theater at the J's 50th anniversary production of "Fiddler on the Roof" and as Pseudolus in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Refreshments will be served. No reservations are needed. The cost is $5 for all COS Senior members and $8 fort all others. Questions? Phone BERNY RAFF at 407-767-6763.

Chanukah is coming...

Chanukah in the Park in downtown Winter Park will be held on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. Phone 407-644-2500 for more information.

(I will mention it again when I have more details.)

One for the road...

Here's one of my favorite jokes:

In heaven there were two huge signs. The first read, "Men who did what their wives told them to do." The line of men under this sign stretched as far as the eye could see.

The second sign stated "Men who did what they wanted to do." Only one man stood under that sign.

Intrigued, St. Peter said to the lone man, "No one has ever stood under this sign. Tell me about yourself."

The man shrugged and said, "Not much to say. My wife told me to stand here."