Thinking of the "So-called" ban...

Most of you are too young to remember when Jews were turned away from our shores, because they were not accepted as immigrants. (What ever happened to "Give us your tired, your poor..."?)

I wrote the following many (many) years ago when I was a teen, to the tune of "Somewhere" from West Side Story.

With the current rise of anti-Semitism everywhere, only Israel and some U.S. states are welcoming:

"There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us,

Place where all Jews can live as one, never more to run.

There's a time for us, someday a time for us,

Time to practice our customs free, Sephardic for you, Yiddish for me,

Someday, somewhere, we'll find a new way of living,

We'll find a way of forgiving, somewhere,

There's a place for us, a time and place for us,

Place to gather our families there, hold my hand and I'll take you there,

Right now, let's go somewhere."

(Again I was a teen so forgive the corny lyrics but a message is there. Think about it.)

In memorium...

Leonard Cohen died a few months ago. He was a Canadian born poet, singer, songwriter and novelist, born into a middle class Jewish family. His mother, Marsha (Masha) Klonitsky, was the daughter of a Talmudic writer, Rabbi Solomon Klonitsky-Kline, of Lithuanian Jewish ancestry. His paternal grandfather, whose family had moved from Poland to Canada, was Lyon Cohen, the founding president of the Canadian Jewish Congress. (My maternal grandparents moved from the Ukraine to Montreal, Canada, where my mom was born.)

Perhaps Leonard's most recognized song is "Hallelujah" first released in 1984, which many artists have since rerecorded.

He was buried in his family's plot in the Orthodox Shaar Hashomayim cemetery in Montreal.

A Jewish Pavilion mensch...

I just received this email from the Jewish Pavilion and pass it along to you:

"While you cannot count on HARRIET MOLDAU's help year round-what a difference she makes when she is in Orlando.

Harriet and her husband, DAVID MOLDAU, are from New England and spend the winter months in Florida.

She originally learned of the Jewish Pavilion when she joined their Yiddish class and became the substitute teacher when the need arose.

Today, you can find Harriet assisting at weekly ice cream socials at Savannah Court and leading services at Oakmonte Village at both Cordoba and Siena.

According to NANCY LUDIN, executive director, 'Everywhere she goes she brings sunshine and smiles. Her energy level is through the roof and the senior residents adore her.'"

(Harriet and David Moldau are close friends with my and my spouse's relatives up north.)

A reminder...

On this Sunday, Feb. 26th, fabulous SYL LaFATA, will play his clarinet (which will remind you of Benny Goodman in sound and appearance!) He will be at the Altamonte Chapel from 12:30 until 2:30 pm. Requested donation is $10.

He will be joined by super-talents, MICHAEL KRAMER on piano, BEN KRAMER on bass, and GREG PARNELL on drums. (All four are the very best at their instruments!) Our own wonderful ALAN ROCK is emcee.

The Altamonte Chapel is located at 825 East SR 436 in Altamonte Springs. The phone number is 407-339-5208.

Speaking of entertainment...

On Sunday, March 5th, at 2 p.m. sharp, the Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors invite the entire community to a party featuring "The Party Girls!"

ALINDA from New York and DESIREE from Boston, have been happily performing at private parties, veterans events, clubs and retirement homes in the Orlando area for the past 12 years. They encourage audience participation and offer a variety of theme shows.

(They will NOT have my audience participation because they are too good looking and I can't handle competition!)

As always, refreshments will follow (including my favorite cookies!)

The cost is $5 for COS Senior members; $8 for all others.

Have questions? Phone President, BERNY RAFF at 407-767-6763.

Shout-outs...

NOEL WILSON and DAJOUR NEUFRILLE (AKA DJ), work at the Publix Deli in Casselberry. They are not only great at their jobs, they are delightful to the customers! I hope their manager, AMY, hears about them or sees this mention!

One for the road...

Lois Silverberg (l) and Harriet Moldau.

Reporters from the Jewish Chronicle are interviewing Sadie, who is celebrating her 108th birthday.

"Sadie, dear, can you please tell us what you think is the best thing about being 108? I'm sure our readers would love to know," one of the reporters asks.

Sadie replies, "There's no peer pressure."