Articles written by Chris Desouza
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
Orlando Jewish community rallies for kidnapped boys
"Hine(y) ma tov u'ma-nayim, Shevet ach-im gam ya-chad," reads the first verse of Psalms 133. ""Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" As American Jews... Full story
Our 'garden oasis' in Israel-Kiryat Motzkin
There is a community in Israel that is connected to the Jewish Orlando community through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. It is our sister city Kiryat Motzkin. This beautiful city has been... Full story
Snopes digs up the truth about Sharia Law in Michigan
After reading on the Internet the article about Dearborn, Michigan, being the first city in the United States to implement Sharia Law, I questioned how this could be possible here, as it is directly against the U.S. Constitution. After a little... Full story
Orlando adventurer rowing the Pacific
Sonya Baumstein is only 29 years old, but in her short life this second-generation Orlandoan-daughter of Darryl and Debbie Baumstein and granddaughter of Jack and Roz Baumstein-has sailed more seas,... Full story
Goldfarb on the ballot for judgeship
Brooke Deratany Goldfarb knows she can make a difference as a circuit judge in the justice systems of Brevard and Seminole counties. In the world of law, Goldfarb has been around the block.... Full story
RAISE launched with its first 5 employees
Most programs begin with a dream, a wish, a need. The seeds of RAISE-Recognizing Abilities & Inclusion of Special Employees-were planted when Loren London and her husband provided a membership to... Full story
Swastikas on walls of UCF housing
This past weekend, several UCF students discovered swastikas carved into a wall of the off-campus private apartment complex where they reside. While the complex houses UCF students, it is not part of... Full story
Take the J-Street challenge, it is an eye opener
It's important to be well-informed about current events-especially events concerning Israel. Since day one of Israel's independence, this little nation that inhabits only one percent of the Middle... Full story
'You Are Israel' shows how Israel is helping to heal the world
There is always a lot happening in Israel, especially in the universities and the medical field—and Israel shares everything they learn with the world. It is part of the Jewish heritage—tikun olam—to repair the world. Recently, Congregation Ohe... Full story
A decade of 'good words' and a baseball odyssey
The Jewish community's own David Bornstein will read from his newly released books, "The Good Word: A Decade of Jewish Thought and Chutzpah" and "Me and E: A Baseball Odyssey," at Congregation Ohev... Full story
Six JAO students inducted into AHA Honor Society
The American Hebrew Academy recently extended invitations to six Jewish Academy of Orlando eighth-graders for admittance into its Honor Society. Now in its fifth year, the American Hebrew Academy... Full story
UCF students to ride 'vomit comet' courtesy of NASA
ORLANDO-Flying at zero gravity is usually something reserved for astronauts in training, but Conway resident and UCF junior Samuel Benjamin, along with five other UCF students, will get the chance to...
In the shadow of Anne Frank, Eva Schloss shines on her own
"We are amazing," Eva Schloss said of the Jewish people. "We will be here forever and have to stick together," she proclaimed affirmatively. On Feb. 9, more than 500 people sat spellbound at the... Full story
Let Jewish Family Services provide the RIDE
A little known service that is offered by Jewish Family Services is the RIDE program. Through its partnership with ITN and Mears, JFS provides free roundtrip transportation for qualified senior citizens or disabled adults who need a ride to and from... Full story
Ezra International fulfills dreams to help poor Jews make aliyah
Carlos and Maria and their two children wanted to emigrate to Israel from their home in Argentina, but financially it was an impossible dream. Argentina had suffered financial collapse in 2001, and... Full story
Hubbly Bubbly makes falafels heavenly
If someone were to say "Have you been doin' the 'Hubbly Bubbly'?" Locals near Edgewater and Par would know this is referring to the newest healthy-fast-food shop in the area. Owners Mark and Heather... Full story
Local man makes circus' history
Matt Loory was working at the First Watch restaurant on Rt. 436 in Altamonte Springs, training to become a manager, when Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, where he graduated with... Full story
To Orlando, he is Bobby; to the world, he is 'Ambassador'
Being an ambassador was not part of his career plans, but U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Robert Mandell-known to many Central Floridians as Bobby Mandell- loves his job. In a way, one could say that... Full story
A woman of impact, Rita P. Bornstein, dies
"A mold breaker, a cause fighter, the underdog supporter, like a true queen of Israel, and a woman who accepts all people"-these are all descriptions from friends of Rita Peisner Bornstein, who died... Full story
Examination of good and evil in the Holocaust
As part of Central Florida's Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Orlando's Adventist University of Health Sciences' presented its University Colloquium series with an inspiring... Full story
Jewish Film Festival movie review
The 15th annual Central Florida Jewish Film Festival, co-produced by Enzian and the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando as part of the Cultural Festival Circuit and is supported by United... Full story
Local 'kid' makes real-world impact
The Orlando Jewish community can be very proud of one of our own who had a hand in the development of Apple's newest OS X desktop operation system, "Mavericks." Former Longwood resident Emery Berger,... Full story
Meet the new Hillel director, Aaron Weil
A little more than 10 years ago, Aaron Weil had his eye on one of two positions: executive director and CEO of either the Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University of Pittsburgh or University... Full story
Community mourns passing of Abe Wise
Known as the “Father of the Center” among those who gave birth to the Roth Jewish Community Center, Abe O. Wise, in whose living room the JCC and Hebrew Day School began their formative years, pas... Full story
Art 'speaks out' against injustice
A room crowded with art aficionados and Holocaust museum supporters gathered around the 25-plus pieces of artwork to look closely at the craftsmanship of 18 local artists who presented their... Full story