Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Attendees at the recent Zionistas meeting on Feb. 9 got an earful of history-Christian history as well as the history of the Jewish people-all within a two-hour period. Zionista co-founder Diana Scimone, a journalist and a Christian, highlighted four eras of Christian history in which anti-Semitism was taught in the Church. How quickly the early Church, which stuck to its Jewish traditions, with Gentiles converting to Messianic Judaism, changed its tune. Over a period of time, the Church grew... Full story
The University of South Florida (USF) Student Government (SG) Senate voted on Jan. 19 to approve a joint resolution, titled "In Support of Student Voices," calling for the university to divest from companies it deems "complicit in human rights violations." Authors of the resolution, senators Muhammad Imam and Rema Hamoui, specify the companies to divest from support tobacco products, fossil fuel use and the Israeli army in anti-Palestinian issues. The vote passed 32-12 with four abstentions. "I... Full story
On Tuesday, Jan. 26, The Jewish Academy of Orlando, and two other Florida schools—the Meyer Academy in Palm Beach Gardens (as well as the Mandel Jewish Community Center there) and the Chabad of Tampa Bay school—received bomb threats. There were no bombs found at all the locations. However, the schools were closed for the rest of the day and the children and parents were shaken that this could happen here. One parent, Rona Weiss, took action, turning what could have developed into a deeper fear into positive action. “I saw a lot of passion and e... Full story
The Jewish Academy of Orlando and the JCC were evacuated Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. because of a bomb threat. According to the police, a threatening call was made to the JAO by a man who said he wanted to "hurt as many children as possible." The person at the school who reported the threat told police the man's voice sounded robotic, like he was using a device to disguise his voice. As a result, the entire campus-the school, Early Childhood Learning Center, JCC, gym, and Federation-was... Full story
After 41 years of taking care of Central Florida children as a pediatrician, Dr. Edward Zissman retired from his private practice, Altamonte Pediatric Associates, on Dec. 31, 2015. It is the end of a fruitful career that began in Philadelphia, his hometown, where he graduated from Temple University and Hahnemann Medical College, and then completed his pediatric internship at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and pediatric residency at the U.S. Naval Hospital and New England Medical Center in Boston.... Full story
In response to anti-Semitic vandalism at UCF, 34 Jewish and civil rights groups—including student groups and the Zionist Organization of America, CAMERA and Simon Wiesenthal Center—wrote to UCF President John Hitt stating that what had been done to date “is simply not enough.” The groups stated their dismay that in the weeks since the stickers and flyers appeared, the UCF administration had not publicly condemned the postings as anti-Semitic, and the Jewish students felt threatened and unsafe. The letter went on to make some recommendations to... Full story
After 15 years, Ben's Bake Shop closed at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2015. No more challah-at least for now. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, Michael Fischer went to the bakery at 7 a.m. to be sure to get some of Ben's famous challah. When he got there, a line had already formed and by 8 a.m., when the bakery opened, that line was all the way down the block. It took only one and a half hours to sell all 100 loaves. Later that afternoon, the glass shelves in the display case were almost empty. Only two yule logs,... Full story
There is a great resource through Jewish Family Services Orlando (JFS Orlando) for older adults and/or people with disabilities who may need transportation to and from various medical appointments and essential shopping trips. This service is called RIDE-Reliable Independent Drivers for the Elderly-and it has been erroneously assumed to be only for those with low incomes. But not so fast! It is available to ANY older adult and/or people with disabilities who need transportation! Widely used in... Full story
Want to change the Jewish community or even the world? Inspire a Jewish mother. No offense meant toward men. However, if a woman who has young children is inspired, she inspires her family. If enough families are inspired, a community can be inspired; and if enough communities become inspired, it can change the world. This is the belief of eight Jewish women who started the Jewish Women's Renaissance Program (JWRP) in 2008. How are Jewish women inspired? One proven way is to take them on a... Full story
Back in the 60s, American band Sly and the Family Stone got everyone on their feet with their hit song "Stand!" ("You've been sitting much too long"). Today Bethanne Weiss, aka the Asset Queen, is singing that same tune in her new book, "Move Your Assets: From the Chair, Not the Bank!," encouraging her "peops" to stand more and sit (on their assets) less. She says in the book, that it hit her like a "one-pound brick of butta," that those who move more than they sit have less kvetches, ailments... Full story
The rumors, sad to say, are true. Ben's Bake Shop is closing on Dec. 24. "As it stands, that's the plan," Ben Brenslauer, owner of the bakery told the Heritage in a phone interview. However, "the challahs will still be alive," he reassured, just not at the current location. It was B&K Bakery for years. Times change, people move on and it became Ben's Bake Shop. Brenslauer worked with the former owners. In fact, George and his wife came in to help from time to time. The bakery, tucked in the... Full story
Who would have thought that an article about four ladies being cut off from playing their beloved mahjong in their condo community clubhouse would become international news? The Heritage’s website has received more than 22,000 views (as of Nov. 30) of this one article. Jeff Gaeser, publisher, said he doesn’t remember in the paper’s history of any article getting this much attention. Zelda King, Bernice Diamond, Helen Greenspun (apologies for spelling Helen’s last name incorrectly in the Nov. 20... Full story
Last April, a mezzuzah on a door was destroyed and swastikas were discovered carved into the walls of an off-campus apartment complex where UCF students were living. On Nov. 15, anti-Semitic stickers were found on a newsstand by Tower Four on campus. The stickers with the Nazi emblem were also found in Lake Claire, Tower Two, across from the CFE Arena, the Recreation and Wellness Center and Nike. In addition to the stickers, there was a note calling for the boycott of all Israelis products, and fliers were found that stated: “Florida, l... Full story
It has happened again-anti-Semitic vandalism in Central Florida. The first occurrence was in Oviedo where an Israeli flag displayed in the front yard was desecrated with red paint. This time someone spray painted a swastika and the word "Surprise" on the garage door and driveway of the home of David and Debra House in the Autumn Glen subdivision in the Winter Park/Tuscawilla area. The House family, who are members of Temple Shir Shalom (as is the Oviedo resident), first noticed the vandalism as... Full story
Right in the heart of the quiet little city of Altamonte Springs, four women (ages ranging from 87 to 95)—Lee Delnick, Bernice Diamond, Helen Greenspan and Zelda King—were enjoying their weekly game of mahjong in the Escondido Condominium clubhouse when they were interrupted by Altamonte Springs police who came to shut them down. Apparently word got out that they were gambling and one person (whom King said is considered a “troublemaker and lives in Building 11”) called the police, citing some Altamonte Springs ordinance that said it is agai... Full story
Five films will be shown during the Jewish Film Festival this year, co-sponsored by the Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando and the Enzian Theater. This is the 17th year for this event that features Jewish and Israeli themes. Each film promises to make viewers laugh, cry and contemplate life situations. First up is "Dough," showing Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. at the Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St. Directed by John Goldschmidt, "Dough" is a many-tiered film with spatterings of... Full story
"We have just smoked and cooked the last 40 lbs. of our amazing pastrami and corned beef... made fresh soups and salads, and received our last delivery of fresh breads this morning. Opening at 11 a.m. and staying open until we sell out," said the email sent out on Oct. 16 to all of Brown's Deli's regular patrons. The subject line said: Brown's Deli is closing. Sadly, that was the last day for the only kosher restaurant in the Maitland/Altamonte Springs/Casselberry/Winter Park area. The little ko... Full story
Thursday, Oct. 22, was for many Facebook enthusiasts a day to show support for Israel by displaying an Israeli flag somewhere-in their yard, on their house, in their business, even on their clothing-then take a photo of it and post it on Facebook, stating "Wherever I Stand, I Stand with Israel." One Oviedo resident was excited to show her support for Israel and hung an Israeli flag in her front yard on Wednesday, Oct. 21. However, on Thursday morning, she discovered the flag had been... Full story
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passed a resolution last Wednesday, Oct. 21, listing Ma’arat HaMachpelah, the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron—the world’s most ancient Jewish site and the second holiest place for the Jewish people and Kever Rachel, Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem—Judaism’s third holiest site—as Muslim sites. These sites are part and parcel of the Jewish tradition and history and present a direct connection between the Jewish People and their ancient homeland. Buried in the Cave of the P... Full story
When Michael Oren was 15 years old, he shook the hand of Yitzhak Rabin, who at the time was the Israeli ambassador to the United States. Oren vowed in that moment this was what he would be. Fast forward 40 years later, and Oren fulfilled his goal to become the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Of course he didn't just wish it into being. He worked hard aiming at his goal. In his recently published book, "Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide," Oren shares in this partly... Full story
What was all the hoopla about the Iran nuclear deal? All the time spent discussing the deal and debating the deal among Americans across the country seems now to have been wasted time (By the way, Americans were against this deal four to one according to a compilation of polls by The Israel Project). All the agony of decision making and wrestling of consciences among Congress as to how to vote on this deal—called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—and now, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), the Islamic Re... Full story
Colonel Chezie Sagiv spoke softly to the intimate group of people who had gathered to hear what life is like in Israel for a distinguished IDF Air Force officer, pilot and senior Air Force instructor who also is a high level educator and high school principal. He happened to be in Orlando for only two days to visit with his friend, Judy Shujman. "He took amazing care of my two children in Israel this summer and has known my brother, David, for over 20 years when he attended the Air Command and S... Full story
“Silence is consent,” said Alan Kornman as he addressed about 50 people at a recent Zionistas-sponsored lecture held at Oakmonte Village in Lake Mary. Kornman, who is the regional coordinator of the United West—Uniting Western Civilization for Freedom and Liberty, enlightened the group about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. “BDS is ‘Jew hatred’ in a different package,” Kornman told the attentive audience. A resolution to condemn BDS and the increasing incidents of anti-Semitism has been initiated and passed in five state... Full story
It all started with a little bump on his neck. Now Jason Mendelsohn is on a mission to conquer cancer and spread the word about human papilloma virus (HPV) related cancer. In April 2014, Mendelsohn was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, which turned out to be stage four HPV-related tonsil cancer, which had spread to two lymph nodes in his neck. He had a radical tonsillectomy and neck dissection in which 42 lymph nodes were removed in his neck, followed by seven weeks of chemo, radiation... Full story
Before this review could be written, news about The Pantry Café at Northview had already traveled to New York. The prestigious Jewish newspaper, The Forward, ran a short blurb by contributing writer Michael Kaminer in its Weekly Dish column, titled "A Muslim, a Jew and a Vegan walk into a restaurant..." which is the perfect introduction to this very new (it opened only a month ago) and very avante garde restaurant located in Northview, UCF's off-campus apartment building, located at 3925... Full story
