Scene Around

A singer needs songs to sing ...

(That's me I'm referring to.)

What's a good song without a good lyric? One of the best lyricists ever, in my opinion, was Gustav Gerson Kahn. (You knew him as Gus Kahn.)

My favorite lyric of his is "You stepped out of a dream." (I do dream about my departed spouse often.)

And speaking of "departed," another wonderful songwriter was Laura Nyro, who unfortunately died young. She was another talented Jew.

And lets not forget Lerner and Loewe ... that's Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner ... (who, by the way, is the nephew of Sam Lerner, who brought us Lerners, the famous department store.) Both were Jewish. Their most memorable songs, in my opinion, were from the movie "My Fair Lady."

And my pride and joy, LAUREN NICOLE YOUSHA, my granddaughter, who is a wonderful gifted songwriter (and singer!) She has a number of songs published with more to come.

(I asked her to sing one of her songs, "Magic Mushroom" at my funeral. She said she would BUT I'M NOT DEAD YET!!)

Austrian Jewish leaders discuss anti-Semitism ...

I read this recently in the World Jewish Congress digest and pass it along:

"Jewish community of Vienna President OSKAR DEUTSCH, IKG Secretary General BENJAMIN NIAGELE, and Chief Rabbi of Vienna, v ENGELMAYER, met with Austrian Federal President ALEXANDER VAN der BELLEN to discuss the rise of anti-Semitism and other recent challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

In September, ELIE ROSEN, president of the Jewish community in Graz, Austria, was attacked with a baseball bat by an unknown assailant, just a week after the synagogue was vandalized with graffiti on two occasions. Rosen escaped the incident unharmed. Responding to the attack, WJC President Lauder said: "The WJC stands with Elie and the Graz and larger Austrian Jewish communities as they move forward from the incident of anti-Semitic hate. Such assault on Jews is becoming far too commonplace, especially in Europe but also elsewhere, including in the United States and Canada. I cannot condemn the perpetrator strongly enough, and we must acknowledge the deeper tragedy of global anti-Semitism, xenophobia and bigotry that threatens the fiber of societies worldwide."

Following the attack on Rosen, Chancellor SEBASTIAN KURZ announced an increase in federal funding to support security for the Jewish Community in Austria. Announcing the decision on Twitter, Kurz wrote "We have to act together to protect Jewish life in Austria even more determinedly. That's why we as a state will support the Jewish Community with its increased security costs."

Anti-Semitic incidents have risen in Austria in the past several years with the primary method of attacks being property damage. According to a report conducted by the Forum Against Anti-Semitism, anti-Semitic incidents increased by 9.5 percent over the last two years and more than doubled from five years ago.

The Winter Park Playhouse ...

This is worth repeating (and I will probably repeat it once more.)

"Respect: A Musical Journey of Women" previews on March 18-19 and opens on March 19-April 24. It can be enjoyed live or virtually!

Some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century are part of the show, including "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend," (yes they are!) "I Will Survive," "My Man," and many others.

Phone the Playhouse at 407-645-0145 for further details.

(Sounds like my kind of show!)

Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando ...

It's almost time to apply for the Colman Israel Scholarship. The application deadline is March 31. You must be enrolled as a high school student during the time of the selected program. Students who have graduated high school at the time of the program are NOT eligible.

As part of the application process, you must submit a letter of recommendation (via email) from a youth director, synagogue educator, rabbi, camp director or Jewish professional before the application deadline of Wednesday, March 31, 2021. The letter should be emailed to Beth Rose, brose@jfgo.org.

For further information, contact the Federation at 407-645-5933.

The Roth Family JCC ...

On Thursday, March 11 at 1 p.m., there will be an inspiring talk with author, JANICE KAPLAN as part of the Florida Book and Author Series. Kaplan's book "The Genius of Women" will be discussed.

The discussion will focus on the perception of women in society and the changes in women's roles over time and also the importance of celebrating women's talents, successes and discoveries.

Register now at 407-645-5933.

(Okay! That's the kind of discussion I want to take part in!)

The Jewish Pavilion ...

The Jewish Pavilion is currently registering participants for their next Grief Support Group.

Although, currently on hold due to the coronavirus, they can add your name to the list and keep you updated.

Please contact NANCY LUDIN at 407-678-9363 or email nancyludin@jewishpavilion.org for more information or to register.

Exploring grief through a Jewish lens facilitated by Rabbi MO KAPROW from VITAS Healthcare.

One for the road ...

The courtroom was silent while the judge pondered the papers in the paternity suit before him. As he turned over the last document, he reached into his robe, drew out a cigar, and handed it to the defendant.

"Congratulations, Mr. Bernstein. "You've just become a father!"