Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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You might think that the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services maintains its focus only on the elder residents in the Orlando area. This is far from the fact. The seniors who we are engaged with continually interact with elementary age youngsters, high schoolers and those attending local universities. Let me introduce you to two young ladies who decided to dedicate their B’not Mitzvah project to the seniors at Oakmonte Village Lake Mary. Chloe and Layla were searching for a project to fulfill their ...
The best part of being a program director for the Jewish Pavilion is that it gives me the opportunity to meet interesting and sometimes outstanding individuals in our community. Two of these residents, whom I had the pleasure to meet recently at the Village on the Green, are Mati Braun and his wife, Rachel Heimovics. Mati is a native of Israel where he graduated from the Israel Academy in Tel Aviv. He came to America in 1962 to study with Joseph Fuchs at the Juilliard School, and in 1969 he...
Hurricane Ian came through Central Florida as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 28, bringing devastation to the West Coast of the state. As it traveled across to the East Coast, it lessened in strength, however, much damage was yet to be seen in Central Florida. The Mayflower Retirement Community in Winter Park was one of the unfortunate examples of Ian’s damaging impact. Sufficient amount of water seeped into the parking garage, which eventually damaged the electrical system. With no elevator service in the building, the only option was to e...
Mahjong was the popular game played by my mother and most Jewish woman of her generation. I heard somewhere that it originated in China and that Chinese men are those who have played it religiously. Only recently was I given an article from Newsweek magazine by June Brown, a resident of Cascade Heights, describing the true nature of the game. It stated, “Mahjong was not invented by the Chinese, but by the Jews in early Palestine. The game began about the year 200 BCE among the more assimilated Jews, but was frowned on as a sinister d...
It didn't take long for Susie Stone to get involved with the Jewish Pavilion. She and her husband, Mark, first came to Orlando in 1974 for a brief visit for few years. They eventually moved back for good in 1984 and the Jewish community has been all the more fortunate for that move. Stone started her work with the Jewish community as a pre-K teacher at the Jewish Community Center preschool. It wasn't until her in-laws moved to town in 2011 that her interest in Jewish senior living began since...
Indeed, we are living in challenging times with national lockdowns, social distancing, and wearing protective masks in public. Programs and activities which the Jewish Pavilion has provided in the past are temporarily sidelined until the time when resuming these programs is safe. In the meantime, creative ideas to continue connecting with our Jewish seniors have given way to the production of various YouTube and Zoom Shabbat and holiday services that are now being shown in a variety of facilities around town. Shavuot bags of cheer were...
Walking through the corridors at Cascade Heights in Longwood, most visitors get the sense that there is an abundance of activities and a variety of programs in which to engage. This is, in part, due to the tireless efforts of the Activity staff, one of whom is Allie Casey, lifestyle coordinator. Casey has been enhancing the lives of the senior residents at Cascade Heights for six years, wearing many hats and displaying many talents. She is the ambassador for Connected Living, which brings...
The definition of volunteer work refers to activities performed willingly and without pay to produce goods or provide services for others outside the volunteer’s household or family. However, when we witness the interactions of the volunteers that work with the Jewish Pavilion, this general definition falls short. Our volunteers go beyond merely visiting our senior residents, they bring their hearts, smiles, caring words and humor. The volunteers are the backbone of our organization and many o...
Colleen Norris has been associated with The Mayflower in Winter Park for over 23 years. She is the assisted-living director and recently stated that she is "happy to get up and go to work every day." When asked why her work is so rewarding, she answered that the feel of family and community that she creates makes it all worthwhile. Norris is responsible for providing a variety of activities that stimulate the senses and enhances the enjoyment of life. She stated that "with the help of the...
From Israeli dance instructor to cantorial soloist, Debbie Meitin has proven that her talents span across many disciplines. Meitin's Judaic foundation began as a young adult growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, where she sang and performed as a member of the youth choir in her synagogue, and actively participated in USY in high school. And while studying for a degree in medical technology, Meitin stayed active in Jewish life as a member of the Hillel chapter at Michigan State. While attending USY and...
The Jewish Pavilion has long been partnering with Pet Rescue by Judy, a "no kill shelter" that rescues dogs and cats and prepares them for adoption. The partnership takes the form of pet visitations to Siena and Cordova at Oakmonte Village in Lake Mary known as "Licks and Hugs" once each month. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health which release endorphins that produce a calming effect. Having pets around also diminishes overall physical...
Zena Sulkes has dedicated her professional life to education. As a Hebrew School Aid at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Detroit, Sulkes began to feel her way around the classroom and understand the essential elements that make for a successful educator. After graduating from the University of Michigan, she started her teaching career in the public schools in Michigan, Baltimore and Illinois. A move to Clearwater, Florida, afforded Zena the opportunity to transfer from public education to Hebrew ed...
