Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Oh, give me a home. So I don’t have to roam. Where the Astros, the Mets or Cubs play. Maybe Dodgers or Rays, or Toronto Blue Jays. Just as long as it’s somewhere to stay. The month of July was a momentous one for Major League Baseball. The 95th all-star game was scheduled to be played in Atlanta, Georgia. Fans, players and family members traveled from around the nation. Among the events was the Home Run Derby, which promised a top prize of $1 million to the winning slugger. Truist Park was fil...
“We are honored to announce a transformational $1 MILLION gift from local philanthropist Andy Pargh, a true champion of arts, culture, and community.” So begins an email from the Rosen JCC. “In recognition of his incredible generosity and lasting legacy, our beloved Rosen Event Center will now be known as the Pargh Event Center.” Exciting details are reported in the Heritage (page 1, July 25, 2025). When I finished reflecting on the wonderful gesture by Mr. Pargh, I thought about how good deeds give honor to our names and, also about honorin...
Vehicles are being attacked and not just Teslas. The culprits have damaged cars and trucks of all makes and models. Residents are unsettled by the honking and the shrieking. If they manage to get a night’s sleep their day starts off badly when they are faced with the need to make repairs to their homes. Damages are in the hundreds and even thousands of dollars! The perpetrators tear screen enclosures, wreck gardens, and defecate on the sidewalk. They freely march down the middle of the street a...
A golem has awakened in my bedroom. Rather than clay, this one is made of stone. Like other golems he is unable to speak — for now, that is. Yet, unlike such mythical creatures of the past he was not put here to seek revenge on the oppressors of our people. Nor was he created by a rabbi. Actually, he is the rabbi! So begins another day for a man well past retirement age. I start to move my fingers. One by one I repeat doing so until my hands no longer feel like hardened cement. While my body a...
Readers remember well the beloved writer Gloria Yousha who related thousands of stories in her column “Scene Around.” Nearly three years since her passing, the community greatly misses Gloria and how she shared so many different insights and experiences with us. A wonderful article about Gloria was written by Heritage editor Christine DeSouza and published on Dec. 9, 2022. Christine’s tribute column/obit earned a first-place award from the Florida Press Association! There has been talk of introd...
There's an endearing scene in the film "Throw Momma from the Train." Owen (Danny DeVito) shows his coin collection to Larry (Billy Crystal ). These are not rare coins with great monetary value. But Owen cherishes them. They are all part of the leftover change from shared experiences with his father. Starting with a nickel, Owens identifies each coin. "This one I got in change when I bought a hotdog at the circus. My daddy always let me keep the change." I had my own coin experience when I was...
“You are invited! We’re having an all-you-can-eat all night study and gabfest.” The email goes on to say that the occasion is Shavuot. The holiday menu will be dairy including blintzes, various cheeses, and puddings, and pastries. They’re serving pizza, too, with dozens of choices of toppings such as mushrooms, spinach, green peppers, and pineapples. No pepperoni or ham because this is an official Jewish gathering. But neither will there be meatballs or hamburger. In fact, no meat dishes...
The column name “Give a listen” was presented to me by comedian Jackie Mason and, of course, in his familiar Yiddish accent. In response to my invitation, he had shown up in a dream in which he also proceeded to expound on many of today’s controversial topics. He stayed with me the rest of the next day. Or perhaps his appearance the night before enabled me to better channel his persona. And thus I was able to deal with a number of troubling issues with a sense of humor as I imagined his voice in...
My grandmother, Ida, was a consistent nurturer and protector in my life. Since my parents did not yet have their own place when I was born, her home was my first. And because my mother had surgery and a lengthy hospital stay after my birth, Grandmom started off as my primary caregiver. Family stories have it that Grandmom placed a colorful ribbon in my baby carriage and stroller to ward off evil spirits. And whenever anyone remarked “what a beautiful child” or “look at those dimples!” she wou...
Heritage introduces a new columnist, Steven Cardonick. We hope you will enjoy his twice-a-month column. Steven Cardonick is a veteran lounge singer, impressionist, and stand-up comedian. He took his love of singing and passion for Jewish identity to a storefront Fort Lauderdale synagogue where he was welcomed as a cantor. Then came an invitation to study for the rabbinate and ordination in 2002. His writing experience naturally includes that of his stage shows but also regular columns for...
