Scene Around

Why Jews around the globe must stay aware...

From the USA: An anti-Semitic madman entered the Tree Of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh during Shabbat and massacred 11 Jews while shouting "all Jews must die!"

And from Brooklyn, a group of teenagers carried out a series of attacks against Hasidic Jews in the Crown Heights area.

From Canada: Anti-Semites sent hate mail to 13 synagogues during Chanukah, which carried the image of a swastika inside a bloody Star of David.

From Berlin, Germany: An Arab-Israeli man wearing a kippah was savagely beaten with a belt while his attacker shouted anti-Semitic slurs at him.

From Sussex, England: An 11-year-old boy was physically attacked by a group of children who shouted anti-Semitic epithets at him.

From Paris, France: A young woman was attacked by two men in a heavily Jewish suburb, who punched her in the face and slapped her cellphone out of her hands and most horrific of all... an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor was stabbed 11 times and set on fire in a horrifying anti-Semitic hate crime.

In Johannesburg, South Africa: Jews were harassed both in-person and through social media, including an incident in which passengers waiting for their luggage from an El Al flight were verbally abused.

From Umea, Sweden: The local Jewish association made the painful decision to close after repeated threats and intimidation from members of a neo-Nazi group.

From Sofia, Bulgaria: Every year, ultra-nationalist and neo-Nazi groups march in an annual torch-lit parade in honor of Hristo Lukov, a pro-Nazi general whose actions during WWII contributed to the deportation and deaths of thousands of Jews.

From Belgium: The parliaments of Flanders and Wallonia regions adopted legislation that as of 2019 outlaws the practice of Shechita (kosher slaughter.)

(I'm sure there is much more!)

Israel cancer research...

(It seems that scientific achievement is in Israeli's DNA!)

Clinical evidence shows that chemotherapy to treat cancer may cause a variety of vascular diseases later in life. However, it has not been clear why this happens. Funded in part by a grant from the Israel Cancer Research Fund, Dr. IRIT BEN-AHARON and her research team at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa have been unraveling how certain chemotherapy drugs damage blood vessels.

The goal is to learn to identify patients at high risk of developing vascular problems, so that these patients can receive preventative treatment.

Remembering Jewish history...

The Hashomer (Guild of Watchman) was established by members of the second wave of immigration to Eretz, Israel in 1909, who had experienced pogroms in Russia and were determined that Jews would be more effective defending themselves.

The group was organized in the settlement of Sejera in the Lower Galilee and offered its services to other Jewish villages in return for an annual fee. Hashomer gradually took over guard duties in the Galilee, Samaria and Judea. Members of Hashomer saw themselves as the nucleus of a future Jewish army; however, the organization never grew beyond 100 members and was formally disbanded after the establishment of the Haganah in 1920.

The "Piano Lady"...

I'm referring to our own talented CAROL STEIN, a wonderful pianist and vocalist, who will be presenting "Music & Happiness" at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 1905 Kentucky Avenue, Winter Park often in the future.

(Anywhere Carol is performing is worth attending each and every time!)

For further information including dates of her performances, phone Blue Bamboo at 407-636-9951

JCC39ers Cinema Sundays...

On May 19, 2 p.m. in the Senior Social Hall, the movie "Itzhak," a documentary on the life of violinist Itzhak Perlman will be shown.

Refreshments will be available.

JCC39ers Meet & Mingle Mondays...

On May 20 at 1 p.m., Real-estate planning will be presented by TERRI MISEK in the Senior Social Hall. Complimentary refreshments will be included after the event.

Dine Around Town...

This is an event that includes all JCC 39ers and JCC members.

At 1 p.m. all attendees will gather at Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen, 494 SR 436, Altamonte Springs.

To RSVP, phone FLO GOLDMAN at 407-859-5982.

Roth Family JCC Maitland...

"Get Fit at the J." Fitness classes are held at the JCC for all who have a JCC Fitness Membership.

For dates and times, phone TARA HARRIS, Director of Sports, Fitness and Aquatics at 407 645-5933 X 259.

Shout-Out...

(Oh No! Not again! No wonder I'm getting wider!)

I went to Vinzos Italian Restaurant, SR 436 and Red Bug Lake Road, Casselberry, recently. The food was delicious (I should know. I'm always eating!) And the service was great, especially by ROBERTA, the manager, who had the same New York accent I have!

One for the road...

This was overheard on a bus. (I didn't say it.)

"I just love Jewish food. But do you know the one thing that's wrong with it?

Seventy-two hours after you eat it, you're hungry again.!"

(How about four hours????)