Scene Around

A fabulous talent...

When I read this in the World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest it gave me tremendous pleasure so I decided to pass it along to you:

"Itzhak Perlman, the 70-year old Israeli born violin virtuoso, is the third winner of the annual Genesis Prize, joining past recipients former New York City Mayor MICHAEL BLOOMBERG and actor-director MICHAEL DOUGLAS.

Established in 2012 by a consortium of Russian Jewish philanthropists, the prize is presented annually to individuals who have achieved international professional renown and serve as a role model through their commitment to Jewish values.

Past winners have taken an ecumenical approach to disbursing the $1 million prize money that accompanies the honor.

Douglas, the son of a Jewish father (Kirk) and non-Jewish mother, pledged to use the funds to promote outreach among the intermarried.

Bloomberg funded nine projects from nonprofit organizations 'guided by Jewish values to address the world's pressing issues.'

Perlman, who will receive the prize at a ceremony in Jerusalem on June 23, indicated the money will most likely have some connection to music and helping those with disabilities.

(How wonderful that makes me feel because to me music is wonderful! It brings back memories to the elderly and those afflicted with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, and pleasure to all.)

"All Jews are responsible for one another"...

That's why I write so much about anti-Semitism in Europe lately (and its increase here in the U.S.) I received this pamphlet in the mail recently:

"At the end of 2013 the European Unions Fundamental Rights Agency did a sweeping survey of Jews in Europe. The results were stunning. Two out of every three Jews in Europe say anti-Semitism is a problem. More than 75% of Jews say anti-Semitism has worsened since 2008. Nearly half of Europe's Jews fear being a victim of anti-Semitic rhetoric and one-third fear being the victim of physical assault. About a quarter of Europe's Jews occasionally avoid Jewish sites out of fear of attack. Nearly 60% heard or saw someone claim the Holocaust was a myth or exaggerated. Almost two-thirds of Jews who were violently assaulted were too afraid to report the crime to local authorities."

(Support all Jewish organizations!)

Speaking of wonderful music...

On Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m. sharp, the Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors group will hold their monthly meeting at the synagogue, 613 Concourse Pkway South, Maitland, in the ballroom.

The entertainment for the afternoon is very special. It features the vocals of MARK STEVEN SCHMIDT!

"Delight in songs made famous by Sinatra, Buble, Bocelli, Groben and Lanza, featuring selections from jazz standards, Broadway hits and opera.

Tenor Mark Steven Schmidt has been performing in musical theater and opera since the age of twelve. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and holds a Master's Degree in vocal performance and Literature from Binghamton University. He was a resident-artist with the Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton. Mark's lengthy list of performances have taken him from New York to Canada, through Switzerland and Italy and now Central Florida. He has 27 years of experience teaching music at the high school and college levels, private vocal couching and instruction, as well as choir and choral direction.

Refreshments will be served after the performance. The cost of this great afternoon is only $5 for all, members as well as non-members, so bring friends.

Any questions? Contact President BERNY RAFF who tells us he will be staying on for another season! His phone number is 407-767-6763.

(Hope to see you all there.)

A Jewish Pavilion mensch...

I received this email about JANE EDELSTEIN:

"Jane Edelstein joined the Jewish Pavilion Board two years ago and hit the ground running. In her first year, she chaired their most successful event ever entitles "A Taste in the Park" which brought together 500 people under one roof for a vegetarian food festival. This year, she is chairing the Fall festival again. Her fabulous committee is hard at work planning an outdoor afternoon event in October featuring Beatles music, vendors, prizes and sweets. Jane also volunteers for the Jewish Pavilion participating with our elders in holiday events. Jane is known for her superb organizational skills and she runs a great committee meeting. Her follow through is superb."

The Friends of the Jewish Pavilion have chosen her as one of their honorees at their annual Volunteer Luncheon in December.

(I will write more about it as it approaches.)

A shout out...

What a great guy! I refer to the manager of Steak N Shake on Semoran Boulevard (south of Aloma Avenue) in Winter Park.

His name is ABE ILEIWAT. He really cares about all of his restaurant guests and makes sure he treats them like family. Thanks Abe!

One for the road...

Ruth had just stepped out of the shower when she heard her doorbell ring.

"Who is it?" she shouted downstairs.

"It's the blind man," came the reply.

Ruth decided it didn't matter if she opened the door without any clothes on because the man was blind. In fact she thought it would be a rather daring thing to do.

So she opened the door wide and he said, "It's Sears Department Store, Altamonte Springs. Where do you want me to put these blinds?"