Scene Around

As I write this...

I am getting ready to fly to Chicago from Orlando International Airport in a few days. (Of course when you read this, I will have hopefully already returned.)

My grandson, ZACH is becoming a bar mitzvah and I am looking forward to presenting him with his grandfather's tallit. His grandfather, Papa Irv (my loving spouse of 55 years) died several months ago.

Needless to say, I am nervous to fly... actually, I'm always nervous to fly, but this time in the age of terrorism, REALLY! So, if a tragedy happens, whatever I leave goes equally to my three sons plus some extra for the loving care of my dog. (Okay. Now everybody who reads this column knows my wishes!)

Remembering Jewish history...

On May 11, 1949, by a vote of 37-12 with 9 abstentions, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 273 is adopted to admit the State of Israel as the 59th member of the United Nations.

The General Assembly resolution declares: "Israel is a peace-loving State which accepts the obligations contained in the Charter and is able and willing to carry out those obligations."

In memoriam...

Samuel Willenberg, the last survivor of the Treblinka uprising, died in Israel on Feb. 19, three days after his 93rd birthday.

Born in Poland, he was taken to the Treblinka death camp in 1942 and became one of the leading members of the underground revolt launched by the prisoners in August 1943. While most of the 200 people who participated in the revolt were killed, he survived and managed to escape. He later joined the Polish partisans and took part in the Warsaw uprising in 1944. In 1950 he moved to Israel, serving in the Housing Ministry and dedicating his life to teaching about the Holocaust. His memoir "Revolt in Treblinka" was published in Hebrew in 1986 and translated to English in 1989.

A Jewish Pavilion Mensch...

I recently heard from PAM RUBEN, marketing and communications director of the Jewish Pavilion. She wrote that she "is kvelling about volunteer Yiddish instructor JOAN POHL and her monthly Yiddish class, now in its sixth year. Pam shared, "Yiddish is alive and well in Greater Orlando, thanks to Yiddish maven, Joan Pohl. Thanks to Joan's excellent instruction, our seniors and class participants of all ages and backgrounds have been able to take a walk down memory lane, while reviving and sharing their rich heritage. A record 31 students schmoozed, kibitzed, and noshed on Joan's mom's famous rugelach during the last Yiddish class of the season."

She added: "Got 8 seconds? Visit the Jewish Pavilion's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jewishpavilion) and view a quick video to find out why 92-year-old, Luba, and a crowd of students (some coming as far as from the Villages), rarely miss a class. If you have an extra 20 seconds... laugh along with Dolores and Ed Evenson, as they share their love of Yiddish class (and the spread of goodies that come with it)!"

Great jazz...

On Sunday, June 26, The Altamonte Chapel will feature the one and only RICH WALKER. Our own ALAN ROCK will emcee as usual.

Along with Rich will be MARK MCKEE on piano, REX WERTZ, tenor/flute, WALT HUBBARD on drums, and CARLOS FERNANDEZ on congas and percussion.

The Altamonte Chapel is located at 825 East S.R. 436 in Altamonte Springs. The phone number is (407) 339-5208. The Downbeat for the 'Jazz Jam' is 12:30 and goes until 2:30. Don't miss it!

Important reminder ...

Don't forget this Sunday, June 5, at Congregation Ohev Shalom Jacqueline Jones and her musicians will treat the COS Seniors to a great show, add refreshments and it doesn't get any better than that. It starts at 2 p.m. in the COS ballroom, and for directions call 407-298-4650.

One for the road...

In this year of politics, politics and more politics, so many polls and surveys are taken. Here is a recent survey, but NOT about politics. (Rather about me??)

More and more women now head to the shops to get their 'excitement.' One in 12 women said they got more pleasure from finding a sales bargain than making love. In some parts of the States, almost one third of women felt 'deeply satisfied' after a shopping trip.

A psychologist said the buzz some people got from shopping was the same as they experienced during sex. 'A dedicated female shopaholic will be in a very similar physical state to one who is kissing and enjoying foreplay-a flushed face, rapid breathing and flowing perspiration. '

So a new excuse is born? 'Not now darling, I've been shopping.'