Scene Around

Germany pays tribute...

I read this in a recent edition of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest. I never heard this before, a very touching piece of history and I pass it along to you:

"Germany's Foreign Office and the Centrum Judaicum Berlin held an event to honor Jose Arturo Castellanos Contreras, El Salvador's consul-general in Geneva who during World War II helped to save tens of thousands of Jews from Central Europe from Nazi persecution by providing them with false papers of Salvadoran nationality. The tribute included the screening of the film 'The Rescue', by ALVARO and BORIS CASTELLANOS, which documents their grandfather's little-known but heroic acts during the Holocaust.

It was during his time as consul-general in neutral Switzerland that Castellanos was approached by a Transylvanian-born Jewish businessman named Gyorgy Mandel. Castellanos made Mandel an honorary diplomat and had papers of Salvadoran nationality prepared for him and his family. Mandel proposed that they issue Salvadoran documents to help save other Jews. What started as a relatively small-scale distribution of Salvadoran visas, by mid-1944 became a mass production of nationality certificates. The two men secretly issued at least 13,000 'certificates of citizenship' to Central European Jews, granting the bearers the right to seek and receive the protection of the international Red Cross and, eventually, of the Swiss consul in Budapest. These guarantees saved thousands of Jews from Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania from deportation to the Nazi death camps.

After the war, Castellanos was posted to London before retiring. After returning to El Salvador, he died in the country's capital in 1977. He was recognized posthumously as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in 2010.

Our very own beautiful lady supports the arts...

This event started already (on November 15th) but will continue through November 30th and should NOT be missed. I refer to HARRIETT LAKE'S Pop-Up Boutique. Read on:

"Bloomingdale's and Harriett Lake are joining forces in support of the Orlando Ballet!

Bloomingdale's at Millenia Mall will host a pop-up boutique featuring exclusive items from Harriett's personal collection. 100% of the sales from the pop-up boutique and 10% of Bloomingdale's total tracked sales from opening night (already donated) will be donated to the Orlando Ballet."

I look forward to these events...

On Sunday, December 4th, beginning at 2 pm sharp, the Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors will hold their monthly meeting in the Congregation Ohev Shalom ballroom, 613 Concourse Parkway South in Maitland.

The entertainment will be provided by MIGUEL ABREU and his romantic Mandolin.

"Born in Venezuela, Miguel Abreu began to play the guitar and mandolin when he was a teenager.

At age 15, Mr. Abreu began giving private lessons of those instruments in his country and continued teaching for the next 20 years in various institutions.

In 1995, Miguel moved to the city of Montreal, Canada. There he became a mandolin virtuoso, developing his very own unique style to the most lovely of instruments and realized his dream as a professional.

Currently Miguel plays in several scenarios of the United States."

Refreshments will follow the performance. No reservations are necessary. The cost is only $5 for COS Senior members and $8 for all others.

For further information, phone president BERNY RAFF at 407-767-6763.

(I will remind you as we get closer.)

A fabulous sport and a great cause...

On Sunday, November 20th from 8:30 am to 1 pm The Roth JCC Annual Golf Classic will take place at Dubsdread Golf Course, 549 Par Street, Orlando. "Experience one of Orlando's premier golf courses while supporting the The Roth Family JCC's Marvin & Bonnie Friedman Children's Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance for individuals and families in need to attend the J."

For more information, call the JCC at 407-645-5933.

A shout-Out...

On Halloween, I made a purchase at my local Walgreen's Drug Store on the corner of Aloma Avenue and Palmetto between Winter Park and Goldenrod.

The gal at the checkout was dressed in a witch outfit but she gave witches a bad name by being so helpful,

sweet and kind. Her name is DONNA MARCUS, a pretty lady with a wonderful personality!

One for the road...

Benny, the shadkhan, goes to see Abe, a confirmed bachelor for many years.

"Abe, you mustn't wait too long. I have exactly the one you need. You only have to say the word and you'll meet and be married in no time!" says Benny.

"Don't bother," replies Abe, "I've two sisters at home, who look after all my needs."

"That's all well and good," said Benny, "but all the sisters in the world cannot fill the role of a wife."

"I said 'two sisters'. I didn't say they were mine!"