Scene Around

While watching television ...

(What else is there to do during this pandemic quarantine? Well. If I wasn't a widow I would figure it out!)

Anyway, I saw some great movies in the last few days. "First Wives Club" was one of them. BETTE MIDLER and GOLDIE HAWN were two of the stars and both are Jewish. Also, SARAH JESSICA PARKER is featured in that movie, (Another Jew.)

Next, I saw "Foul Play," again with Goldie Hawn as one of the stars. The movie featured the music of Barry Alan Pincus throughout. You may know him better as BARRY MANILOW. (You guessed it! Another Jew.)

Wait! I'm NOT done!

Then a couple of days later, my friend phoned me and told me to tune in to Gershwin's (my family) "American in Paris." All the fabulous Gershwin songs of George and Ira were throughout the movie, and one of the stars was Oscar Levant, a fabulous pianist. He was the grandson of a rabbi and his parents were very religious.

Wow! We are a talented people!

A rise in anti-Semitism ...

I read this recently in the World Jewish Congress bulletin:

"Anti-Semitic hate speech has risen alarmingly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis and must be rejected, said the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, AHMED SHAHEED, in the following statement released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: 'I am extremely concerned to see that certain religious leaders and politicians continue to exploit the challenging times during this pandemic to spread hatred against Jews and other minorities,' Shaheed said. 'We must collectively reject anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance and discrimination now.'

He noted that 'conspiracy theory' prevails in claiming that Jews or Israel are responsible for developing and spreading COVID-19 to reduce the non-Jewish population and to control the world.

Anti-Semitism threatens stability and security, and hate crimes require unequivocal responses from leaders, the Special Rapporteur said. 'It is necessary to invest in preventive security measures and enact appropriate hate crime legislation. I also reiterate my call for endorsement by States of the Working Definition of anti-Semitism and for its use in compliance with international human rights law.'

He urged States to work with Jewish communities and organizations to strengthen monitoring of hate speech or crimes, and to develop strategies to support victims of anti-Semitism. ' It is imperative for civil society organizations and faith-based actors to signal a zero-tolerance policy toward anti-Semitism online and offline.'

Shaheed said the COVID-19 crisis highlighted the need to establish collaborative networks to foster mutual understanding, promote dialogue and inspire solidarity.

Countering online hate speech also will not succeed if the mainstream or social media do not take seriously the reports of cyberhate targeting Jews and other minorities. They must remove any posts that incite to hatred or violence in addition to identifying and reporting fake news.

At this deeply challenging time, ensuring that all individuals are able to exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief without fear and to the greatest extent feasible while safeguarding public health is more essential than ever."

Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando reminder ...

The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has teamed up with 24 other Federations across the country to bring you a Rosh Hashanah Virtual Cooking Class with Chef Michael Solomonov, co-owner of Zahav, the 2019 James Beard Foundation award winner for Outstanding Restaurant, the first Israeli restaurant to win the award! This free class will take place on Monday, September 14th at 8 p.m.

The chef's special Rosh Hashanah menu (which you can download from our website) will include Kale, Apple, Walnut and Sumac-Onion Tabbouleh; Honey Glazed Chicken; and Honey Cake with Apple Confit.

Phone the JCC at 407-645-5933 to ask how to register.

(That doesn't sound too fattening and also very delicious! Wow!}

The Roth Family Jewish Community Center ...

School is back in session, and The J is ready to meet all your after-school needs!

When you enroll your child in After School @ The J, the final bell at school signals the start of an afternoon full of fun and games, and even more learning! Your children will get a delicious snack and will have access to a quiet Homework Room before taking a well-deserved break with some laugh-out-loud fun at The J! They'll unwind in our game room and on the playground. They'll keep their spirits up (and their neurons pumping) with a variety of counselor-led activities, including science, art, sports, and more! Our program is set up to meet CDC guidelines, and we will be practicing social distancing by group. All children and staff will be required to wash hands or use hand sanitizer every hour. Masks will continue to be required while at the JCC for both children and staff.

Drop-off transportation from off-campus schools will not be provided unless enough families express interest. We will pick up students from the south (former Jewish Academy) parking lot and bring them into the JCC. After School @ The J hours: 3-6 pm Monday-Friday

Cost: $320/month (members); $400/month (guests)

How to Register: In person: with Robin at the Registrar's Desk, 407-621-4036; Email: register@orlandojcc.org

The Jewish Pavilion and Orlando Senior Help Desk ...

The Jewish Pavilion and Orlando Senior Help Desk are here to help the local community. We are currently working with Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties. 94% of your donations go into enriching the lives of residents in elder-care communities. You can make a huge difference and do something positive for yourself or your business as well.

For more information, phone 407-678-9363.

Winter Park Playhouse ...

This is a special event. When you make a donation of $20 or more, a video link will be sent directly to your email inbox and can be watched either today or tomorrow (Aug. 29) at 9 a.m.

The show is a Frank Sinatra tribute titled "That's Life."

For more information, phone 407-645-0145.

Shout-out ...

Again, I want to thank all the hospital workers, the grocery workers, the mail deliverers, and all people that are working during this pandemic so that senior citizens like me (oh shut up!) can remain safely at home.

One for the road...

Two Jews sat in a coffeehouse, discussing the fate of their people.

"How miserable is our history," said one. "Pogroms, plagues, discrimination, Hitler, Neo-Nazis ... Sometimes I think we'd be better off if we'd never been born."

"Sure," said his friend. "But who has that much luck - maybe one in 50,000?"

(Oy vay!)