Throwback Orlando to celebrate the past, present and future

In the early 1960s, Abe and Zelig Wise developed the neighborhood of Palomar, in northern Orange County. Many of the early residents were Jewish.

In mid-2016, the former and current residents of Palomar gathered to take a group photo. This photograph was to be part of the exhibit at the Orange County Historical Museum celebrating 100 years of Jewish life in Orlando.

The evening was a reunion of friends from the neighborhood. It was a wonderful time of renewing acquaintances and celebrating their mutual past. The evening also served as the springboard to create another reunion: Throwback Orlando.

Lynn Pearlman Minkow is a past and current resident of Palomar and a board member of Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando. Minkow reached out to her friends from Palomar and those that didn't grow up in Orlando to create an evening of camaraderie, which will benefit JFS. The reunion committee is comprised of Don Altshuler, Karen Langfur Broussard, Marcy Schiff Brown, Dyan Grushka Goodman, Judy Schiff Kahan, Robin Rein Katzman, Stuart Kramer, Ellen Wise Lang, Craig Pearlman, Laurie Shader Smith, Debra Webman and Barbara Hara Weiss.

Didn't grow up in Orlando? Everyone is invited to this evening of friendship and love on Saturday, Oct. 19. The party will be held at Second Harvest Food Bank (411 Mercy Drive). Second Harvest was chosen to be the location for two reasons. First, Second Harvest is an important community partner to JFS Orlando's Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry. Also, the culinary program at Second Harvest will cater the event, thereby ensuring that all funds will directly benefit both nonprofit agencies.

Sponsorships are available. Space is limited and reservations are necessary. For further information, contact Sara.Martinez@JFSorlando.org or Lynnminkow@gmail.com.