Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The University of Florida chapter of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity was closed last Tuesday, April 28, after a misconduct investigation by the university was started in light of reports that ZBT members attending a spring formal yelled at, spat on, and hurled beer bottles at a group of military veterans who were also staying at the same Panama City Beach resort. The veterans were attending the Warrior Beach Retreat at the Laketown Wharf to relax and heal. After receiving the information of the fraternity members’ behavior, the university charged t... Full story
This year the Seminole County School Board presented two school calendars to the community. One was with the school year beginning Aug. 24. The second, which was adopted later, has the school year beginning Aug. 17. What is interesting is that the calendar that was first posted (start date Aug. 24), included Rosh Hashanah (Monday, Sept. 14) and Yom Kippur (Wednesday, Sept. 23) as days off. The new and revised calendar (start date Aug. 17) only allows Rosh Hashanah as a day off. The second calendar came about after Gov. Scott signed the bill... Full story
There is a new synagogue on the block, although it isn’t really a new one. Perhaps the term should be “changed” synagogue. Congregation Shomer Ysrael, located at 5382 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, was for several years a Messianic congregation with about 200 members. It is now, and has been for about two years, a very committed Jewish congregation with about 30 members. In fact, they celebrated their first Rosh Hashanah as Jews in September 2013, and for the congregation it was truly a new beginning. Congregation Shomer Ysrael became the first Hispa... Full story
At this year's Choices event, held on April 14, American writer, TV producer and former journalist Jennifer Weiner will charm the Choices audience with her wit as she discusses her books, personal experiences and women's search for a sense of self. She has authored nine best-selling books, including eight novels and a collection of short stories, with a reported 11 million copies in print in 36 countries. She also was voted No. 14 on Time magazine's list of 140 Best Twitter Feeds. Her latest novel, "All Fall Down," has received critical acclaim... Full story
The theme of this year's 2015 Choices event is "It Takes A Woman," and this year's recipient of the Harriet Ginsburg Woman of Choice award, Ina Porth, has proven throughout the years that she is a woman who can get things done. Who is a Woman of Choice? The Mishna teaches that it is imperative not to be separate from the community. A Woman of Choice is connected to the Jewish community and is committed to Jewish life. She exhibits leadership qualities and is a committed volunteer with the annual campaigns, Jewish organizations, giving... Full story
It was 25 years ago that Linda Amon and Harriet Corey,z"l, of Congregation of Liberal Judaism (now Congregation of Reform Judaism) stood waiting at the Orlando International Airport with a sign that read "Welcome Levitasovs." It seemed to take forever before the anticipated Russian family finally walked through the gate. There were four of them-grandfather Anatoly Mantelman, 71, his daughter Marina Levitasov, her husband Mikhail (Misha and Americanized as Michael) and their daughter Yana. For Mantelman, this was also a reunion with his sister... Full story
Recently, the Heritage received a phone call from the mother of a young woman attending the University of South Florida. She was alarmed at what her daughter was telling her about the bullying tactics of the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The mother is a member of the Congregation of Reform Judaism and gave the Heritage her daughter’s email address to learn what exactly was happening on campus. The daughter, who did not want her name to be mentioned, (and therefore the Heritage also did not want to give the m... Full story
Recently, the Orlando Sentinel chose Harriett Lake as the recipient of the 2014 Central Floridian of the Year for her generous financial support of many organizations within Central Florida. Since 2003, Lake has given about $1.5 million annually to many causes, from Kinneret, JFS Orlando and the Holocaust Center to MD Anderson Cancer Center and Florida Hospital's boutiques for breast cancer survivors to the multiple performing arts groups, including the Southern Ballet Theatre, Madcow Theatre, Orlando Festival of New Plays, the Philharmonic... Full story
Recently, a comment was posted on the Heritage’s website concerning an April 18, 2014, op-ed piece titled “Islamic enclaves in America,” by Ed Ziegler in his column “Remember, Never Again.” The comment read: “This is a complete fabrication... so bad that even Fox News retracted the story... My Jewish friends, there are many out there attempting to manipulate society through lies... we have seen this before. Please be vigilant and never forget.” The writer, who called himself Edison, also referenced www.snopes.com to validate his position. Edi... Full story
Ever since her first stage performance, when she was seven, in the JCC Players' production of "Oliver!," Andra London has loved the stage. From that humble beginning, London went on to perform for six years with the Orlando Opera Company Youth Ensemble before forming the singing trio Visions during her teen years with two other local Jewish young ladies. The group made four albums and performed 150 concerts in 80 cities nationwide. "One beautiful byproduct of Visions was the opportunity to travel all over the country, which gave me exposure to... Full story
With television shows like “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Finding Your Roots,” it is no wonder that genealogy is the second most popular hobby in the U.S. (gardening is No. 1). It is also the second most visited category on the Internet (next only to pornography). In light of this growing interest in family histories, on Jan. 12, 2015, Congregation Ohev Shalom and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) will present a special program featuring David Laskin, author of “The Family,” which is the story of his own ancestors w... Full story
On March 13, 1978, Jewish Family Services Orlando opened its door to help low-income families who found themselves in a crunch, and 36 years later, it is still helping people down on their luck. It is the Jewish Community's organized outreach into the community-for Jews and non-Jews alike. The agency isn't on the Jewish Community Campus. There's a reason for that. Located at 2100 Lee Road in Winter Park, it is on the bus routes, the means of transportation for many of the people who use the services provided by JFS. The mission of the agency... Full story
Jewish Pavilion volunteers Norma Ball and Pam Ruben, as well as all Pavilion volunteers and members, will be honored at the Jewish Pavilion's annual JP Connections luncheon. As the two volunteers of the year, Ball and Ruben both understand how important it is to spend time with our senior citizens. Longtime Pavilion volunteer Norma Ball never imagined she would spend her retirement years visiting seniors. The Sanford resident spent most of her working life in Jewish education in Albany, New York, specializing in middle school and high school... Full story
Back in 1967, when Sol Schick was a mere 27 years old and just starting his insurance business, he met Hy Lake who challenged him to start giving back to the community. "The more you give, the more you get," Lake told the young businessman. So, Schick accepted the challenge and wrote a small check to a charity-small in many people's definition perhaps, but a large amount for this little insurance company. Six weeks later, Lake's secretary phoned Schick's office. Mr. Lake wanted to meet with Schick. "Oh, oh, the check bounced," he thought.... Full story
Laurence Morrell wasn't looking for fame or shiny trophies. He signed up for the Golden Age Games in Sanford for "one last hurrah," as he put it, after a 12-year hiatus, and he got more than he bargained for. Not only was he pleased with how he did in the 500 gm javelin throw, 1K discus and 4K shot put throws, but he also won three medals-two bronze for javelin and discus, and a silver for his shot put throw. The Golden Games, held in Sanford, provide anyone 50 years of age or older who wants to stay active and competitive the opportunity to... Full story
In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the signing into law of the Civil Rights Act, The Heritage has been running a series of articles about members of the Orlando Jewish community who helped bring about racial changes in Central Florida. This is the fourth of a series. Florence Gluckman, better known as Flossie Gluckman, was a lot like her brother, Jerry Bornstein, when it came to justice, fairness, and respecting human beings simply because they are human beings. "Making a difference was in her DNA," said her niece Roz Fuchs. "She had a... Full story
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall-a wall built right through the heart of Germany and its capital city, Berlin. This wall tore families apart, caused job loss to many, and cost the lives of more than 200 people who tried to cross over it. Before the Wall was constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) on Aug. 13, 1961, more than 3.5 million East Germans defected to West Germany. At first the GDR stated that there were no intentions to build a wall separating East and West Berlin. However,... Full story
Last August, the Heritage reported about the sixth surviving member of the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program, better known as the Monuments Men, Rouben Sami, who lives in Winter Park. The same day the article ran in the paper, Aug. 15, Sami turned 93. His family hoped he would live to see the day when his name would be officially added to the list of recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal-Congress' highest civilian honor in recognition of distinguished achievements and contributions. Sami was deputy director of the Offenbach... Full story
In conjunction with the JCRC's Grits and Bagels Brunch, over the next few weeks, The Heritage is running a series of articles about local Jewish community members who made an impact on the Civil Rights movement. This is the third in the series. Local developer and philanthropist Hy Lake may have been the first real estate developer to sell a home to an African-American family back in the 1970s, "At that time, it was an unthinkable and actually, impossible thing to do, said Harriett, as she told the following story. Orlando in the '70s was like... Full story
The success of a program can best be measured by how it has affected its participants. Entering its seventh month of operation, RAISE (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees) has proven to be on track with its goal to offer its participants the chance to recognize their self-worth by contributing to their own success and the satisfaction of being a participating member of society. And now the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is proud to announced that the RAISE program has been selected in a nationwide competition to give... Full story
In conjunction with the JCRC's Bagels and Grits Brunch, over the next few weeks, The Heritage is running a series of articles about local Jewish community members who made an impact on the Civil Rights movement. This is the second in the series. The magnanimous, community-minded Wolf Kahn did not wait until the Civil Rights movement started to take a stand for African-Americans. According to his son, Robert, while serving in World War ll Wolf noticed the black soldiers were treated like second-class people. "How can we be fighting a power that... Full story
When Harriett Lake arrives at an event, everyone in the room knows. In her fashionista style, she is (Hello) Dolly Levi, Cher, Lady Gaga and Elton John all rolled into one. From the top of her hat-covered head to the tips of her designer shoe-clad toes, she is always impeccably dressed "to a (second) t"-like her name. In fact, the only thing that tops her fashionable wardrobe is her extremely generous spirit. Both she and her late husband, Hy, have given financially to many Jewish organizations, including Kinneret, JFS Orlando, and the... Full story
The weekend of Oct. 24-25 every Jew worldwide, from all walks of life-from Scottsdale, Arizona to Seattle, Washington-is invited to come together and spend one Shabbat in unity. Whether Shabbat is observed in the home, with a group, at the synagogue, it will be a time to set aside everything else and observe Shabbat from sunset Oct. 24 to sundown Oct. 25. This event is called The Shabbos Project. The Project was conceived last year by Dr. Warren Goldstein, South Africa's chief rabbi. He set out to unite South Africa's Jewish communities by... Full story
In the Heritage Florida Jewish News' Rosh Hashanah issue, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando ran an ad with pictures of various jars labeled different types of Jews: Orthodox, Federation, Reform, Conservative, etc. Below the picture was the phrase: "Now more than ever, it's time to look beyond our labels." The point being made is that Jewish unity is what is important. A unified Jewish community is a strong community. It isn't just the Federation advocating this thought. Recently, three young families-Gabi and Sarah Gittleson, Menachem... Full story
It was bashert – meant to be – that fateful day when Lori and Moshe Erlich happened upon Rabbi Michael Boyden and his wife as they were taking a walk in their hometown, Hod Hasharon, Israel. Earlier that day, Lori read an article about a synagogue in Raanana the rabbi had raised money to build in memory of his son only to have it snatched from his grasp at the last moment. At that time, Lori promised him if they reached their dream of having a permanent home for a Reform/Conservative congregation in Hod Hasharon, it would bear his son's nam... Full story
