Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Kinneret Living, Orlando, FL — At 92, Ethel (Ester) Goodmark still radiates warmth, wit, and wisdom from her apartment at Kinneret, where she’s lived for the past five years. Raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Ethel’s life has been deeply shaped by her Jewish upbringing, a 70-year marriage, a fulfilling career, and a devotion to family. “I was raised conservative,” Ethel recalled, “because my mother came from an Orthodox family and my father from a Reform one. Middle of the road was the best pl...
On a hot morning in early June, I met with Grandparent Program participants Isa Vogel and Rebekah McNarney, age 9, as Isa was hosting a lovely brunch for her adopted 'granddaughter,' Rebekah and her mother, Lauren. Sitting together at Isa's table was a newly freeing experience after the isolation of COVID and a complete lack of visitors. Delicious homemade food was served by Isa, and the conversation flowed easily. The isolation felt by Isa and many of our seniors was intensified by the death of...
Earlier this year during a Shabbat service with the Jewish Pavilion, a resident had requested a mezuzah for her room. She is a survivor of the Holocaust and she “hid” from persecution at a Catholic orphanage in Belgium. Her request inspired me to include a mezuzah-making project with the children at Ohev Shalom on their “mitzvah day” at Hebrew school. They lovingly and carefully rolled and inserted the Hebrew prayers inside the mezuzah, which they created and decorated. Then they learn the Shema prayer. We talked about having this ritual...
