Articles from the May 26, 2017 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 38
First U.S. president to pray at the Kotel
JERUSALEM (JTA)-President Donald Trump visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to go to the holy site. Trump arrived there under heavy security Monday... Full story
Five ways to celebrate Shavuot without (necessarily) studying Torah
NEW YORK (JTA)—Shavuot is the “Rodney Dangerfield of Jewish holidays,” says Rabbi Shira Stutman of Washington, D.C.’s Sixth and I synagogue. Meaning: It gets no respect. Considered by Jewish tradition to be on par with the fall and spring festiva... Full story
Birthright's biggest season
NEW YORK & JERUSALEM—Birthright Israel, the world’s largest provider of free cultural experience trips, today announces that a record 33,000 participants will arrive in Israel this summer. The program currently has a waiting list due to overwhelming... Full story
White House said 'Jerusalem, Israel'
JTA—The White House used the term “Jerusalem, Israel” in a live video feed of President Donald Trump’s visit to the city, a departure from the policies of past administrations. The caption appeared on the video feed of Monday’s news conferenc... Full story
Heritage Human Service Award
It is that time of year once again when Heritage Florida Jewish News is putting out feelers for one outstanding person in the Jewish community who has given his or her time or talent or monetary gifts to better the Orlando Jewish community.... Full story
David Friedman, new US envoy to Israel, presents credentials in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (JTA)-The new U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, presented his credentials to President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem. During the ceremony Tuesday morning, Rivlin identified himself as... Full story
Trump Administration's disavows claim that Western Wall is 'part of the West Bank'
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has welcomed a clarification from President Donald Trump's Administration that it does not regard the Western Wall in Jerusalem as... Full story
Christian group urges Trump to move embassy to Jerusalem
JNS.org—Ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel, the head of a leading Christian Zionist organization called on the president to fulfill his election campaign promise to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Pastor John Hag... Full story
What is the status on anti-Semitism today?
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's Jewish Community Relations Council is organizing and hosting a community briefing with Eric Ross, associate regional director of the Anti-Defamation League... Full story
March of the Living... My journal from Poland
Dani Shipley, granddaughter of Jim and Rachel Shipley and daughter of Tom and Pam Corey Shipley, went on the March of the Living. The following is her diary of her first week in Poland. April 24,... Full story
Pavilion Golf Tournament keeps ball in play for Orlando Senior Help Desk
The Fifth Annual Pavilion Golf Society was marked by friends, fairways, food, family, and the many fans of honorees, Elise and Dr. Henry Schilowitz. More than 80 golfers were in full swing at The... Full story
Trump crisis shouldn't mask new opportunities for Middle East peace
By any standards, it was an extraordinary week for U.S.-Israel relations—and that was before President Donald Trump even arrived in Israel for his official visit. It began with what sounded like a brawl between American and Israeli officials laying t... Full story
A division of long standing
A disagreement between Jews? Whoda thought? That three Jews in a room could not agree on much—except that they disagree. It is part of our DNA. Look to any Orthodox Study Group and you will see the same arguments dealing with Torah interpretation tha... Full story
Is Trump being played by the Palestinians?
U.S. President Donald Trump’s optimism about Middle East peace might be justified. Perhaps Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas’ pledge that he will be a “true partner” to Trump in the search for peace is genuine. Or maybe Trump’s... Full story
Jewish life, like college campuses, could use more free speech
(JTA)—Sunday night in Teaneck, New Jersey, Daniel Kurtzer and Ruth Wisse spoke at separate synagogues, roughly at the same time, about a quarter mile apart. Kurtzer, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and a professor of Middle East studies at P... Full story
Shavuot is about breaking tablets, and putting them back together
(JTA)—The festival of Shavuot, which begins at sundown May 30, focuses on Moses receiving the tablets of the law. But an even more fascinating part of the story is when he shatters them. In an astounding midrash, or rabbinic commentary, Moses’ act... Full story
Trump plunges into Middle East peacemaking
There is no reason to suspect that President Trump harbors anything but the warmest feelings for Israel. And many of his closest advisers—his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, and Ambassador to Israel David F... Full story
What's Happening
MORNING AND EVENING MINYANS (Call synagogue to confirm time.) Chabad of South Orlando—Monday—Friday, 8 a.m. and 10 minutes before sunset; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 8:15 a.m., 407-354-3660. Congregation Ahavas Yisrael—Monday—Friday, 7:30 a.m.; S... Full story
Fifty Jerusalem facts for 50th anniversary of reunification
Israelis celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification May 23-24. Leading up to the holy city's semi-centennial milestone, here are 50 facts highlighting the rich tapestry of Israel's... Full story
Genealogy Success Story: How great it is to have a rare last name
How great are those who invented the Internet and Facebook! I was born in Leningrad, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia) and lived there until moving to the U.S. in 1990. Before World War II, the... Full story
Bar Mitzvah - Caleb Yosef Oxborough
Caleb Yosef Oxborough, son of Thomas and Beth Oxborough of Sanford, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Congregation Beth Am in Longwood. Caleb is in the... Full story
Bar Mitzvah - Nathan Jack Waldbaum
Nathan Jack Waldbaum, son of Laura and Jonathan Waldbaum of Heathrow, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. Nathan is in the... Full story
Enjoying her Heritage!
Gloria Green, a former Jewish Pavilion program director, stopped by to see her friend Sylvia last week at Plantation Oaks assisted-living facility. Green reported that Sylvia is still getting The... Full story
Giving is receiving!
How often do you "give" to another person without expecting anything in return? And, how do you feel when you give freely and with an open heart? When you give... You receive! It's quite simple.... Full story
Scene Around
Here we go again... The following are two sayings sent to me by the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA). As disturbing as they are, we have to be aware of the hate: "Wherever you see an Israeli,... Full story