Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Shades of Mel Gibson…

Television’s Military Channel has been showing many WWII films, mostly in honor of Memorial Day and the week after.

One of the series titled “Nazi Collaborators,” shows the gathering of Jews in different cities of the German occupation. In most cases, they were loaded on to railway cars and sent off to concentration camps. You know their fate.

Some were lucky enough to survive the war and even make it to Israel!

Israel is very special to our people. This fact makes the following notice from the Simon Wiesenthal Center even more important:

“There is an international movement to institute Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against the Jewish State of Israel. Supporters of this global campaign claim to be trying to promote peace in the Middle East and bring Israel to the negotiating table.

But for those of us who truly understand the situation on the ground in the Holy Land, it is clear that what the BDS movement really wants is to demonize the Jewish State and bring Israel to her knees.

Indeed, a prominent BDS supporter, Lebanese American Palestinian Professor of Political Science, AS’AD ABU KHALIL, expressed the movements true goal best when he said, ‘The real aim of BDS is to bring down the State of Israel… That should be stated as an unambiguous goal. Justice and freedom for the Palestinians are incompatible with the existence of the State of Israel.’”

(Somehow, this statement doesn’t surprise me.)

The notice from the Simon Wiesenthal Center continues:

“As the Palestinian leadership redoubles its efforts to unite the world behind this outrageous campaign to demonize and delegitimize the Middle East’s only Democracy, those of us who care about the future of the Jewish State and her people must act. Right now we need your immediate help to step up our efforts to fight for the dignity of Israel’s people and the future of the Jewish State. Please make contributions to the Simon Wiesenthal Center to help counteract these outrageous campaigns and expose the anti-Semitism behind them. Checks made payable to Simon Wiesenthal Center, should be mailed to 1399 South Roxbury, Los Angeles, CA 90035, or go online to http://www.wiesenthal.com.”

(You can also help by acting as eyes and ears when you notice the BDS movement targeting Israel in your community. Please, if you do, email BDS2013@wiesenthal.com and tell them about it.)

An afternoon of cabernet and conversation…

The Jewish Pavilion invites their leadership for “Cabernet and Conversation” this Sunday, June 9 at 2086 Ackola Place, Longwood.

The event will be held from 2-4 p.m.

It will be an opportunity to socialize with wealth management professionals and learn how you can interact with the Jewish Pavilion. Spouses and significant others are welcome.

The afternoon will be hosted by BARBARA COENSON, Esq.

If you would like to attend, RSVP to NANCY LUDIN, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion at 407-678-9363 or online nancyludin@jewishpavilion.org..

And speaking of the Jewish Pavilion…

They said (and I quote) “Sometimes we need a little help from our friends.”

Yes, Virginia, there is an Orlando Senior Help Desk.

(OK, so you are NOT old enough to remember that “Virginia” letter to Santa Claus thingy and I am old enough!)

Loved ones and caregivers can access all the information they need FREE of charge by visiting the Orlando Senior Help Desk.

Go online to http://www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org and speak with BARBARA BONAPARTE, MSN. She is a senior resource specialist.

If you prefer, you can phone 407-678-9363 which is the office number; 407-435-9383 the cell phone; or go online to barbarajewishpavilion@gmail.com.

(Pictured above are Emily Newman having a pleasant chat with Rebecca Gaeser at Horizon Bay.)

You’re gonna fall in love…

This is the cutest, sweetest dog I’ve ever come across. Sasha is her name. She is about 1 year old, weighs 22 pounds, is housebroken, spayed, heartworm negative and is up-to-date on all her shots. She was a stray.

(How could anyone in their right mind let that happen?)

Sasha is so very cuddly and affectionate. (I want her but my spouse of 53 years says “NO” and he’s NOT cuddly and affectionate. Hmmmmm.)

Sasha loves other dogs and seems to only want to be loved herself.

If you want to meet her, just visit http://www.buddiesforlife.petfinder.com or contact PATTI BOYLE at FixFido@aol.com.

(If you should get this wonderful pup, please let me know so I can visit you!)

I’m heading for the JCC…

Why? Because they will have the best show in town!

I’m talking about Sunday, June 23, of course. That’s the day we can all have “Afternoon Tea With The Divas.”

Mr. KENNY LEE and Ms. B.J. STEPHENS present the talents of the “Divas,” Miss Ramona DeWhore, Miss Kaye Starr, Miss Crystal Vase, Miss Geraldine Jones, Miss Chantel Reshan and, of course, Kenny Lee and B.J. Stephens themselves… but not as themselves, of course!

(These guys are all dressed as beautiful women wearing sparkling costumes and showing off great legs. I hate them!)

The show takes place at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland.

Doors open at 1 p.m. and show time is 2 p.m.

The cost of admission is $25 at the door; $20 in advance, which includes a buffet and two glasses of wine or beer.

(I promise that you will laugh and maybe even cry… I will because they are better looking than me!)

I will repeat this information as show day gets nearer.

One for the road…

Moshe was a bragger and loved to out-do his friends whenever he could and now it was coming up to the time of his son Isaac’s bar mitzvah. He gave it a lot of thought and then, after studying many brochures and maps, he hit upon a perfect, unique way to celebrate—a safari.

So Moshe went ahead with the detailed arrangements.

He started off by hiring a special flight to Africa to accommodate all the invited family and friends. Then he chose a guide and his bearers. He phoned the guide long distance and told him what he wanted:

“I want my entourage to be able to hear jungle chants; I want to be able to shoot some wild animals (not really but only on film of course); I need a clearing to be found where my rabbi can hold the service; and I want my son to be able to recite his prayers in Hebrew whilst standing on the body of an anesthetized lion.”

“OK,” said the guide, “no problem.”

Emily Newman & Rebecca Gaeser

The guests were ecstatic when they received details of the weekend and all accepted their invite.

Come the day of departure, they were all flown to Africa. On arrival, the guide and bearers were waiting for them, together with 30 elephants. Off they went with the guide leading the way and directing the elephants along the narrow trails through the rain forest.  But then, just 5 hours into the journey, the column of elephants came to a sudden halt and the guide shouted, “There will now be a delay of two hours.”

Moshe was angry at this. “Why the delay?” he asked his guide.

“There’s nothing I can do,” said the guide, “there’s another two bar mitzvah safaris ahead of us.”