Scene Around

How lucky I am ...

I've had five careers in my life so far... wife, mother, dancer, singer and journalist.

Of course, the most important were wife and mother! Especially, the way my husband of 55 years, Irv, was an aerospace engineer, and our 3 sons, (in order of age) are a Navy commander, a psychologist and a marketing manager. Yes, I'm proud!

I was only a professional dancer for three years and then a wife, mother and professional singer. And, as a singer I met and was lucky to know singer MICHAEL FEINSTEIN. In fact, he wrote a wonderful review on one of my CDs: "What a joy to hear such beautiful singing of great songs so intelligently interpreted. I'm a fan Gloria."

(Wow! What a review coming from a man I admire so ... and he's Jewish!)

Speaking of Jewish ... recently I watched the movie "Happy Gilmore" on television. It starred ADAM SANDLER, a fine comic actor who is also of our faith. And, I saw another movie on television (what else is there to do during this pandemic?) that starred MICHAEL DOUGLAS. (By the way, Michael Douglas is featured on my current issue of AARP magazine.) Michael, as you might know, is the son of Issur Danielovitch. You may remember him as Kirk Douglas.

And, wait a minute! Did I hear right? I'm watching STEPHEN COLBERT's TV show and his guests are BILLY CRYSTAL (who we all know is Jewish) and TIFFANY HADDISH, who just converted and was bat mitzvah'd. (I understand that her real dad was part Jewish. (He left the family when she was very young). Billy Crystal participated in the religious event! Now she refers to him as "dad."

(I've expressed it before ... How proud I am of our talented people!)

"The opposite of love is not hate," It is indifference"...

(So lets not be indifferent.)

I read the following in an issue of World Jewry Digest and pass it along:

"Elie Wiesel, of blessed memory, once said, "The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference." So let us not be so indifferent. We must not be indifferent. We must not be silent when it comes to anti-Semitism, racism, and incitement. We are all responsible to learn from history and to act accordingly. We cannot change the past, but we can create a better and safer future.

(I say Amen to that!)

"Does sugar feed cancer?" ...

I read this bulletin put out by the American Institute for Cancer Research. It really upset me because I love sweets, but I know that passing it along to you is the right thing to do:

"The belief that sugar in the diet somehow preferentially 'feeds' cancer is very common among patients, but the truth is more complicated. All cells, including cancer cells, in our body use sugar (glucose) from our bloodstream for fuel.

We get that blood sugar from foods we eat containing carbohydrates, including healthful vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low fat dairy sources. Some glucose is even produced within our bodies from protein. But there's no evidence that the sugar in our diet preferentially feeds tumors over other cells.

Eating a lot of high-sugar foods may mean more calories in our diet than we need, which leads to excess weight and body fat.

(Oh! Darn that chocolate!!)

It is excessive body fat that is convincingly linked to greater risk of twelve types of cancer, including post-menopausal breast, colorectal and endometrial cancers.

Packaged chips, cookies, soda and other highly or ultra-processed foods make up more than half of each day's calories for Americans of all ages, finds a recent study. These ultra-processed foods are also the source of 90 percent of the day's added sugar intake.

(I repeat ... DARN! Those are my only pleasures in life! Well, maybe.)

Decreasing the consumption of ultra-processed foods could be an effective way of reducing the excessive intake of added sugars in the United States. (Maybe I'll move to Canada.)

That is why AICR recommends eating a healthy diet that is rich in nutritious and filling foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit and beans. (I do like bananas and tomatoes!)

Speaking of eating ...

This is a reminder that the Winter Park Playhouse is featuring the musical comedy, "Five Course Love," through June 13th.

The Playhouse is located at 711 N. Orange Ave, Winter Park. The phone number is 407-645-0145.

Don't miss it!

The Roth Family JCC ...

They've got you covered. When your school is out the J is in. They are the place for your child to engage in social, covid-safe fun. No need to book a sitter or plan an extra adventure. They are here for your family all year long. Spots are limited. Register today to reserve yours! Phone 407-645-5933 for further information.

Attention jazz lovers ...

I heard from our talented ALAN ROCK with jazz news in town. Timucua Arts Foundation has a wonderful program set for tonight, May 28th.

Will Patrick Quartet (LIVE) 7-9:30. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Will Patrick returns to Timucua! Patrick and his jazz quartet will perform compositions by Thelonious Monk, Victor Young, Sonny Rollins, and more. He has collaborated with artists including Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Larry Coryell, and members of Orlando based group, the Conglomerate. 2020 marked the beginning of independent releases with his group and label, the Radical Collective. (Alan wants you to enjoy and so do I!)

The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando ...

My spouse and I had the pleasure (more than pleasure!) of visiting and touring all over Israel years ago.

I plan to go again soon, while I'm still here and able. But I must say, with the news coming from our beloved homeland these days, I have been doing a lot of praying for Israel and its beloved people.

We've heard from KEITH DVORCHIK, executive director, who is really informed about happenings in Israel. We can phone him at 407-645-5933 to see if there is anything we can do to help the situation.

One for the road ...

(I could use a smile about now!)

An elderly man is sitting on a park bench reading The Heritage newspaper. A bird flies overhead and a copious dropping lands on the man's best navy blue suit.

He looks up, shakes his fist in fury, and cries out: "For others, you sing!"