Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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(JNS) - Three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman, longtime broadcaster Al Michaels-known for his call of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice"-and basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman headline the 2026 class of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. The 20-member class, announced on Wednesday, also includes former NBA player Omri Casspi, Argentine world champion boxer Carolina Duer and Israeli Paralympian Zipora Rubin-Rosenbaum, a 31-time medalist. Founded in 1981 as the successor to the...
(JNS) - "Operation Roaring Lion" against Iranian nuclear sites fulfilled the Jewish state's promise to prevent a second Holocaust, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday night. Had the Israeli and U.S. militaries failed to act, "the names Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan and Parchin might have been remembered eternally in infamy, just like Auschwitz, Treblinka, Majdanek and Sobibor," the prime minister said in Hebrew remarks aired during the state ceremony for Holocaust Martyrs' and...
It's not often that I hear a lecture which could be appreciated by an audience ages 10 to 100, but this past week I was treated to such an opportunity. And while it may sound strange to call a speech on the Holocaust a treat, hearing from Mrs. Judith Rapp Hara about her parents' miraculous escape from Vienna, Austria, was just that. On Thursday, in honor of the recent commemoration of Yom HaShoah, Meoros Girls High School hosted Mrs. Hara for an educational talk about the antisemitism of World...
(JNS) — Members of the Jewish community in New York City gathered on Sunday for an unveiling event of a bench in Central Park commemorating the hostages kidnapped into Gaza during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel’s south. The bench, named “Hostages Bench,” is also dedicated to those who fought to release the hostages, to those who lost their lives during the Hamas-led invasion into Israel and in the war that ensued since then, to the families of the hostages, and to those who survived captivity, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum’s...
Mark Wednesday, June 10, on your calendars for an evening of elegance, connection, and community impact at the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services Cocktail Party, hosted by Heritage Jewish News. Join friends and supporters of the Jewish Pavilion for a festive gathering in the beautiful, resort-style setting at Grand Living Park at Lake Mary. Guests will enjoy an open bar, gourmet heavy hors d'oeuvres, and a delicious selection of desserts while mingling with donors, supporters, and community...
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $77 million in grants to support the development and expansion of 20 veteran cemeteries across the country. These grants represent an important investment in honoring those who served our nation while ensuring that veterans and their families have increased access to dignified burial options. The funding will allow for the creation of the first state veterans cemeteries in Alaska and the expansion of 19 existing cemeteries located in...
Jewish Pavilion Senior Services recently welcomed community members to its Gathering of Friends Grief Support Luncheon, held on April 13 at One Senior Place in Altamonte Springs. The meaningful afternoon brought together former grief support group participants and others who have experienced the loss of a loved one for a time of connection, reflection, and community. The luncheon provided a warm and supportive environment where attendees could reconnect with familiar faces and meet others who...
(JNS) — The U.S. military has fully implemented a blockade of Iranian ports, halting maritime trade in and out of the country within 36 hours, the commander of U.S. Central Command said on Wednesday. Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces “maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East” as part of the operation, which he said has stopped economic trade by sea that fuels about 90% of Iran’s economy. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that U.S. naval forces have intercepted eight oil tankers entering or leaving Iranian ports since t...
(JNS) — Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday following calls between U.S. president Donald Trump and the leaders of each country. After Trump announced the truce on social media, the State Department released a statement with details of the agreement between the two sides. “Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities” that will start at 5 p.m. Eastern on April 16 for “an initial period of 10 days, as a gesture of goodwill by the government of Israel, intended to enable good-faith negotiations toward...
(JNS) — The House of Representatives narrowly defeated a measure to invoke the War Powers Resolution to end the conflict with Iran on Thursday in a mostly party-line vote. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) was the lone Democrat to oppose the resolution, siding with Republicans to defeat the effort to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities by 213 to 214. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a libertarian who frequently opposes foreign policy measures, was the only Republican to vote in favor of the motion. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), who previously joined M...
(JNS) — A bipartisan group of 41 U.S. senators urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to allocate $750 million to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program for the 2027 fiscal year. “The threat of violence is unfortunately increasing at places of worship across our country at alarming rates,” wrote Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) in a letter to leaders of the committee on April 16. “Nonprofit organizations that are at risk of terrorist attacks, particularly houses...
A simple “thank you” for a simple act the other day bothered me. Early one recent Friday morning, on a warm spring day, I decided, during a round of errands in my New York City neighborhood, to buy a few items for Shabbat at a small kosher grocery store a few blocks from my apartment building. As I entered the glass door at front of the store, I could see a small crowd of shoppers already in line, getting their necessities for their Shabbos meals. Someone coming in my direction also caught my eye — a young frum woman, tichel upon her head,...
(JNS) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has created at least a temporary pause in hostilities, opening a potential diplomatic window while underscoring the deeper regional confrontation involving Iran and its proxies. According to reports, Trump personally intervened with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, helping bring both sides to accept a cessation of hostilities despite earlier reluctance in Beirut to engage directly with Jerusalem. The...
(JNS) — The vast majority of Republicans and political conservatives breathed a sigh of relief when President Donald Trump finally and conclusively read former Fox News host Tucker Carlson out of his MAGA movement last week. In addition to platforming and coddling a wide array of extremist Jew-haters and Israel-bashers on his podcast, Carlson has spent the last year assailing the president’s foreign-policy decisions, in particular his strong stand against Iran. Last month, Trump said Carlson had “lost his way.” But the podcaster’s comments...
(JNS) — It’s one hell of a reflection on Europe that the country which now arguably has the continent’s toughest laws against antisemitism—and the greatest will to fight this resurgent evil—is Ukraine. Yes, Ukraine. The country that has been beating off a brutal Russian invasion for more than four years. The country for whom a typical day will bring hundreds of drones and barrages of missiles raining down on its cities and towns. The country that has been traumatized by the cruel abduction of nearly 20,000 of its children by the Russians...
MORNING MINYANS Chabad of Altamonte Springs — Sunday morning minyan, 8 a.m. Weekday morning minyan 6:30 a.m., 407-720-8111. 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.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-644-2500. Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Daytona — Monday, 8 a.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m., 904-672-9300. Congregation Ohev Shalom — Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-298-4650. GOBOR Community Minyan at J...
(JNS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Monday with Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, conveying his “deep sorrow over the tragic loss of four lives” in an Iranian missile attack that targeted the city the previous night. “The most important point that came up again in our conversation is one simple principle, an iron rule: Anyone who follows the guidelines of the [Israel Defense Forces] Home Front Command and stays in a protected space has almost no chance of being harmed,” Netanyahu said in a video statement following the call. “I ask...
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah will hold its May luncheon on Tuesday, May 5, 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway, Maitland. Barbara Chasnov, local chapter member and Hadassah Keeper of the Gate, will present her 21st visit to Israel through storytelling, videos and slides. Through her discussion, members will experience the profound impact of Hadassah’s work. Registration required. General admission is $25, which includes lunch. Entry is limited to guests who have pre-registered. Reserve your place at o...
(JNS) — Against the twin backdrops of Israel at war and rising Jew-hatred around the world, some 7,000 people from around the world marked Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, by marching the two miles between the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps in Poland. Known as the International March of the Living, the annual event is designed to create a new generation of witnesses to the murder of 6 million Jews at the hands of the Nazis. The task is taking greater importance as the n...
(JNS) - More than 50,000 participants registered for the 15th International Jerusalem "Winner" Marathon, held Friday under the theme "Am Yisrael Runs," in an event marked by a more subdued atmosphere than usual amid the ongoing war. The event took place as a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel brokered by the United States began. The 26.2-mile race was canceled, while other runs were moved to earlier in the morning, due to an expected heatwave and dusty conditions. Alame Haimro, 36,...
Fried Battered Fish serves 4 This dish, served with Torn Potatoes, will rival any fish and chips recipe. 2 pounds skinless cod, haddock or halibut cut in 8 pieces 3/4 cup cornstarch 3/4 cup flour 3/4 tsp. baking powder 1 cup light Lager beer (Don’t use dark lager. It is too much flavor.) I used Key Lime La Croix carbonated water. 3/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper Mix out all lumps in batter. It will be consistency of heavy cream. Cover batter with plastic. Allow it to rest in refrigerator 20 minutes. Paper towel dry fillets. Salt and pepper both s...
(JNS) - For one lone soldier identified for security reasons as O, the dream began years ago while watching Israel's Independence Day ceremony from abroad, where her diplomat parents were posted. "I always watched the ceremony even when I lived abroad," said O, who now serves in the IDF's Behavioral Sciences Unit. "I would sit with my grandparents. It was their favorite part of the year. I said, I'm going to be there one day, and my grandparents will be in the audience to watch me." This year,...
(JNS) — The National Library of Israel has uncovered a rare handwritten Passover Haggadah published in the 1880s containing a Judeo-Persian poem dedicated to Lady Judith Montefiore (1784-1862), highlighting the far-reaching influence of the Montefiore family across the Jewish world, according to a press release published on Thursday. Discovered within the library’s collections ahead of Passover, the manuscript includes instructions in Judeo-Persian for conducting the Seder and was bound tog...
(JNS) - A team from the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites arrived in early April in a small Upper Galilee community where the sounds of air-raid sirens and explosions had become routine amid weeks of sustained rocket fire. Despite the U.S.-brokered 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon that went into effect on Friday, residents of Israel's north continue to face uncertainty as security conditions evolve. For many children in the region, daily life has unfolded largely within bomb shelter...
