Scene Around

Love thy neighbor?...

I read this in the World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest and pass it along:

"More than 200,000 Syrian civilians have benefited from Israeli aid sent over since last June, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed.

Dubbed 'Operation Good Neighbor,' the ongoing effort has seen the transfer of hundreds of tons of supplies to the residents of towns and villages just over the Syrian-Israeli border since the beginning of the civil war in 2013.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the IDF has run over 110 separate aid operations since August alone, including the transfer of 360 tons of food, 100 tons of clothes, generators and other necessary supplies.

More than 3,000 wounded Syrians, including anti-government fighters, have been treated by Israel over the past four years.

Oy Vay Department...

I also read this in the WJC digest and, although pleased about the first story, this one I found disturbing. I pass it along so you will, too, feel disturbed: (sorry)

"A construction crew recently bulldozed a Jewish cemetery in the Polish city of Maszewo, only a year after it was registered as a protected site.

Citing the Polsat news website, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that the contractors had illegally bulldozed the site 'leveling the headstones, pushing the debris, along with bones, to the edge of the plot where the headstones used to stand.'

City authorities said they were unaware of the construction at the site, which had recently been sold, but pledged to restore what they could. The new owner is now being investigated."

(By the way, I have a bridge to sell you.)

A reminder...

The Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors next meeting is this Sunday, Dec. 3rd at 2 p.m. The entertainment will be provided by talented entertainer, SCOTT BERRY.

Scott is a versatile singer and pianist who has performed in New Orleans and New York and is now proud to call Orlando "home." He has been performing in the Central Florida area for more than 30 years and was a favorite entertainer and singer at Park Plaza Gardens in Winter Park from 1988 through 2013. His musical styles include Jazz (yeah!), Blues, Broadway, Pop, Soul, Rock, Country and more of your favorites.

(No RAP!!) Admission is $5, members; $8, guests. Refreshments follow performance.

For further information, contact either co-presidents, BERNY RAFF, 407-767-6763 or JERRY LEIBMAN, 407-694-0546 or email to jerryleibman@yahoo.com.

A Jewish Pavilion Mensch...

I may have written about PAM RUBEN before (a few years ago, perhaps) but she deserves to be written about over and over again.

Pam has been involved with the Jewish Pavilion for many years, first as a member of the Friends of the Jewish Pavilion Board writing articles about their mission, and later as a volunteer publicist. She is an "awesome writer with a gift for telling stories that paint a picture, evoke emotion and tear at the heart strings," according to staff.

For the past three and a half years, she has served as Jewish Pavilion marketing director.

Pam is responsible for all stories pertaining to their mission, publicity for events, all appeals and grant writing.

(And she's pretty too!! I can't handle competition!!)

Meet and Mingle Mondays...

On Monday, Dec. 4th in the Senior Lounge of the JCC in Maitland, the 39ers will be given trivia questions to answer by SHELDON BROOK. The event begins at 1 p.m. and includes refreshments.

Terrific Thursdays...

On Dec. 7th at 1:30 p.m., the 39ers will have a book review directed by LOIS LILLING. This month's selection is "The Memory of Running" by Ron McClarity. (I have no memory of running. I can barely walk!)

One for the road...

Ruth takes one look inside her 10-year-old son Daniel's bedroom and immediately goes downstairs to confront him. "Daniel," she says to him, "I thought you told me that you had thoroughly cleaned your room. I've just taken a look at it and it's still a big mess. What have you got to say about it?" 

"I really don't know why you're making such a fuss, mom," Daniel replies. "After all, I never actually told you my room was clean." 

"Oh but you did, Daniel," says Ruth. 

"No, mom, you're wrong there," says Daniel. "What I actually told you at 5:10 p.m. this afternoon was, 'OK mom, I'm done with the cleaning of my room'." 

Ruth can't help but smile. "OK smarty pants," she says, "I should have remembered that you want to be a lawyer when you grow up. You're obviously going to make a brilliant lawyer."