Scene Around

I can't say it enough. How proud I am ...

I recently watched the movie "The Sandpiper" on television. (Again, I repeat: What else is there to do these days?) It starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth converted to Judaism when she married the love of her life, Mike Todd, a Jew. When he died so unexpectedly, she married Eddie Fisher, another Jew. The music featured in the movie was composed by Johnny Mandel, also Jewish.

Another great movie I saw on television was one of my all time favorites ... probably because the fabulous score was by the Gershwins! I refer to "An American In Paris." The pianist featured in the movie was one of the best for sure! His name? Oscar Levant (yep, also Jewish!)

I made my point! What a great people!

Simon Wiesenthal Center ...

"Seventy-six years ago, Simon Wiesenthal stumbled out of Nazi Mauthausen concentration camp and learned that 89 members of his family had perished. He vowed to devote his life to ensure such a tragedy would never happen again."

This is the way a letter I received from Simon Wiesenthal Center began. (It seems to be on the rise again.)

The letter continues: "Today, anti-Semitism and hate are surging, transforming Simon's dictum of 'Never Again' into a lament of 'Again and Again." Every day, anti-Semitic hate is erupting around the world, and no corner of the globe is untouched. In the U.S. ...The most recent statistics show a shocking 60 percent of all religious-based hate crimes in the U.S. targeted Jews, even though we make up just 2 percent of the population.

In Canada, (my mom's birthplace and where my Aunt Betty and Uncle Jack grew up), Statistics Canada reports that Jews ... a mere 1 percent of the nation's population, were again the most targeted victim group in Canada, accounting for more than 19 percent of all hate incidents.

In Germany, in 2020, there were more than 1,000 anti-Semitic incidents in Berlin alone. That amounts to three attacks each day!

In the Netherlands, fans of a leading Dutch soccer team chanted 'Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas' at a rally before a match against a team known for its Jewish supporters.

In France, the front doors of a major political sciences college in Paris were vandalized with anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist graffiti, including 'Death to Israel'.

In Sweden, Dolls made to look like they were covered in blood were hung upside down at the synagogue by neo-Nazis protesting that Passover was a celebration of the deaths of thousands of Egyptian children.

In the United Kingdom, a pregnant orthodox Jewish woman was attacked as she walked down a London street by a man who followed her, threw a cloth over her head, and assaulted her.

There are a multitude of causes for how we reached this critical juncture, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a vile subculture of Jew-hatred manifesting on social media 24/7 across dozens of platforms spewing anti-Semitic hate in a dozen languages.

You know the Simon Wiesenthal Center has the strength, stamina and standing in the world to make a difference in this fight. From our relationships with leaders across the globe, to our acclaimed Museum of Tolerance, Moriah Films and programs to combat hate, and our cutting-edge work on Internet anti-Semitism, the Center is making a difference on multiple fronts.

(This letter was sent by Rabbi MARVIN HIER, dean and founder. Let's make sure that "Never Again" never becomes "Again and Again." I'm donating!)

New information about Dazzling Divas ...

As you probably know, the "Dazzling Divas" show scheduled to be performed in May has been postponed until Saturday, June 26.

It is scheduled to take place at the same place, the VFW, 1520 Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Longwood. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. It will also be the birthday celebration of super-talent, KENNY LEE.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando ...

A message from our own KEITH DVORCHIK:

"As I sat at my youngest son Matthew's graduation from high school this week, I found myself thinking about both how fast the years have gone by and how much we have been enriched by our Jewish community. The USY, BBYO, and JSU events attended, basketball and working out at the JCC, the time I have spent learning with local rabbis, the friends created and friendships deepened. There are times during the year where we get to reflect and the changing of the seasons is one. As we transition to summer, as more people get vaccinated and we are able to gather in person, as mask requirements get lifted, I encourage you to invest in our Jewish community. Your return will be far beyond anything you expect."

The Roth Family JCC ...

We are proud to announce our plans for Camp J summer 2021! This unique year provided an opportunity to keep the best of who we are while moving in a forward direction to meet the demands of today's generation of campers. We embrace our community's needs to focus on value-centric movements that encourage free thought, individuality, kindness, and social action. Our commitment is to provide a safe space for your children to explore, discover and lean into our J Family values infused with Ruach (spirit), Chesed (respect), Hachlalah (inclusion).

Our two-week camp sessions come with all new flavors. Register for your favorite or mix it up with a variety of fun summer experiences! Camp hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. with morning and evening care options available.

One for the road ...

(Some doctor humor):

Jews believe that a fetus is a fetus until it gets out of medical school.

(And another):

If you want to drive a doctor crazy, the next time he tells you to strip to the waist, take off your pants.