Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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As Congregation Ohev Shalom gears up to celebrate its Centennial, the COS Gala Committee is seeking to reach out to former members and others who have fond memories of the congregation and may wish to join in the celebration of this milestone. The COS Centennial Gala Weekend will be held Feb. 9–10, 2018. Observances of its 100th anniversary will be included in Shabbat services on those days, and the weekend celebration will culminate in a truly special gala on Saturday evening. There are many wa... Full story
Love him or hate him, 2017 was a year dominated by President Donald Trump. The US-Israel relationship was no stranger to that, ranging from Trump's visit to the Jewish state in May to his historic decision on Jerusalem in December. At the same time, some of this year's other major stories in the Israeli-American arena had little or nothing to do with Trump. JNS takes a look back at the following five key moments in US-Israel relations during the past year: Trump's policy changes on Jerusalem On... Full story
The Reform movement has started to retreat from its opposition to the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Following President Donald Trump’s recognition announcement, Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs issued a statement on Dec. 6 expressing “serious concern” that the president’s action “may well undercut the Administration’s peace process efforts and risk destabilizing the region.” The URJ’s opposition broke with the broad American Jewish communal support of the Jerusalem recogni... Full story
The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando is proud to announce the appointment of Leah Sandler as Cultural Arts coordinator. Sandler is no stranger to the JCC or the local Jewish community having attended the Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center and the Hebrew Day School (now Jewish Academy of Orlando). Sandler remained connected to the Jewish community as a teen, participating in Beit Ha’midrash, the community’s once-per-week Jewish high school experience. In addition, Sandler attended services at Congregation Ohev Shalom with her... Full story
What joy it was to play dreidel, sing songs, and eat latkes with seniors who may not have any other opportunity to this year. "Chanukah has always been one of my favorite holidays. This past month my love for Chanukah was solidified. Seeing seniors' faces literally 'light' up when the familiar tunes they sang so many years ago were heard, brought such feelings of pleasure," stated Julie Levitt, program director for the Jewish Pavilion. Levitt planned over eight Chanukah celebrations for... Full story
The 14th annual Maj Madness tournament is coming Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at The Roth Family JCC, and features four rounds of play following National Maj Jongg League rules of play, with great prizes for the winners. A light breakfast, morning coffee and lunch is included in the tournament entry free. Participants who are able are encouraged to bring a Mah Jongg set and/or table cover. Register in person at the Registrar’s desk or online by Jan. 21, 2018, at 12 p.m. All registrations received a... Full story
All majestic princesses ages 4 and up, with their daddies, are invited to the 10th annual Princess Ball, a magical evening fit for royalty, on Jan. 20, 2018 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Held at The Roth Family JCC, there will be dancing, activities, and dessert. Dress is “royal attire.” RSVP by Jan. 18. RSVP’s after this date are subject to availability and a $10 late fee. For more information, contact Amanda Dennis, 407-621-4049. The cost is $36 per couple; $5 for each additional guest.... Full story
Rabbi Merrill Shapiro returns to the Congregation Beth Am bima to lead Shabbat services on Friday night, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday morning, 9:30 a.m., January 12-13. The community is invited to attend this special weekend. Rabbi Shapiro, CBA's spiritual leader from 1986 to 2001, currently chairs the national board of trustees of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. For more information, please contact the CBA office at 407-862-3505 or shalom@congbetham.org.... Full story
Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt are incensed at Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over his reaction to US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, according to Israeli media reports. Israel Hayom quoted a Jordanian official as saying, "The Palestinians' efforts to sway public opinion have been a complete failure, and as a result, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has created a rift between us [the Arab world] and Trump. We are once again left... Full story
BUENOS AIRES (JTA)-A federal judge in Argentina said that AMIA Jewish center bombing prosecutor Alberto Nisman was murdered. It is the first time since Nisman's death in January 2015 that the case has officially been classified as murder. Others have said that Nisman committed suicide in the bathroom of his Buenos Aires apartment. Judge Julian Ercolini on Tuesday in a 656-page ruling said the gunshot that killed Jewish prosecutor Alberto Nisman "was not a suicide, and was brought about by a... Full story
The Samaria area has recently seen a massive increase in tourism from around the globe, Israel’s NRG news reported Thursday. The biblical heartland has seen an increase of some 200 percent in incoming tourism, mostly from Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Increased tourism from Sweden, Australia and the US is also noteworthy. The local municipality explained that the sharp increase in tourism is the outcome of intensive efforts on its part to publicize the region’s unique attractions and sites. The Samaria Reg... Full story
JERUSALEM (JTA)—With the arrival of a flight carrying 93 new immigrants, a total of 3,633 people from North America made aliyah in 2017, Nefesh B’Nefesh reported. The group flight that landed at Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday included 15 future lone soldiers and a soon-to-be bride, according to the organization. Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA, helps facilitate aliyah—the Hebrew term for Jewish immigrati... Full story
Time and time again, the Obama Administration took a back seat on the international stage. Whether it was the president’s “red-lines” in Syria—crossed without consequence—the ill-conceived Iran nuclear deal, or the sad spectacle of last December’s US vote to abstain, rather than veto, a one-sided, anti-Israel resolution in the UN Security Council, the Obama Administration’s view of American foreign policy stood in sharp contrast to previous administrations. The United Nations’ obsession with Israel is nothing new. It is well known and well docu... Full story
ByIn a demonstration of how completely at odds his views are from those of the foreign policy establishment, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman reportedly asked the State Department to stop using the term “occupied territories” and instead refer to the “West Bank.” According to accounts that have filtered out of Foggy Bottom, the State Department said no. But we are also told that after pressure “from above”—i.e. President Donald Trump, the current boss of everyone at State as well as Friedman—the issue has yet to be decided. If thi... Full story
Trump’s speeches, and what has happened since, remind us once again about the marginality of Jews. Some may feel comfortable, and justly, given his realism about Jerusalem the Western Wall, and non-Israeli sources of problems throughout the Middle East. But Muslims, and Europeans, are rabid, or upset about what he has unleashed. We are problems for ourselves and others. It’s nothing new. There are signs in the histories told by the Hebrew Bible, Josephus, and much that has occurred since then. It’s probably inevitable in the case of a small... Full story
Europe is the epicenter of the political war against Israel. Europe fights Israel on the streets of Europe, in the corridors of power in Brussels, other Western European capitals and the UN, and in Israel itself. Europe’s war against Israel is a passive-aggressive campaign fought and denied simultaneously. But in recent years, the mask has fallen over and over again. In the days that have passed since US President Donald Trump’s dramatic announcement that the US recognizes that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and is beginning to take concr... Full story
Nations around the world have condemned the US for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying the recent move by President Trump is an obstacle to an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement. But the real obstacle to peace is the stubborn refusal by Palestinian leaders to accept the reality of Israel as a permanent Jewish state in the historic homeland of the Jewish people. This refusal to accept reality can be labeled Palestinian Derangement Syndrome. As long as Palestinian leaders continue to embrace it, they will not agree to a fair a... Full story
On Dec. 8, American Muslims for Palestine held a protest in front of the White House, reacting to President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The featured speaker was Imam Omar Suleiman, who also led Friday prayers. Suleiman is a notorious bigot who has called homosexuality a “repugnant shameless sin,” advocated for gender segregation and justified Islamic sex slavery. Also speaking was the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Nihad Awad. During Awad’s remarks at the White H... Full story
MORNING AND EVENING MINYANS (Call synagogue to confirm time.) Chabad of South Orlando—Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. and 10 minutes before sunset; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 8:15 a.m., 407-354-3660. Congregation Ahavas Yisrael—Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-644-2500. Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Daytona—Monday, 8 a.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m., 904-672-9300. Congregation Ohev Shalom—Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-298-4650. GOBOR Community Minyan at Jewish Academy of Orlando—Monday—Friday, 7:45 a.m.—8:30 a.m. Temple I... Full story
JSU Fellowship is an innovative program in Central Florida where 12 teens get together Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8, and discuss the Jewish perspective on a variety of ethical and moral dilemmas. Teens will also have the opportunity to meet communal leaders and experts in a number of fields. Teens do not need to be in a JSU club to apply. JSU Fellowship is open to all Central Florida teens. Teens selected to be a JSU Fellow will receive a $15 stipend for each session they attend. For more information, contact Daniel Nabatian at 516-426-8484... Full story
On Jan. 15, teens from Central and South Florida are invited to travel to Daytona to build a youth surf center for underprivileged teens. No building experience is needed. For more information about this challenging event, and to reserve a spot, contact Daniel Nabatian at 516-426-8484 or dnabatian@JoinOrlando.org.... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-Trivia is having a major moment-and that's thanks, in large part, to Scott Rogowsky. The Jewish comedian has played a huge role in the runaway success of HQ Trivia, the iPhone app turned massive phenomenon that now has some 500,000 people glued to their iPhones at 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. every weekday for a chance to feel smart and win money. HQ Trivia is presented in the format of a game show-it's hosted live by Rogowsky from New York twice a day. The app was created in August by Rus... Full story
NEW YORK-Like so many happy accidents, it started with Purim. Riva Preil, a physical therapist in her early 30s living in Manhattan, was recording a skit for her Orthodox synagogue's Purim spiel when the head of the events committee asked if she'd like to get more involved. The question took her by surprise. "I never thought to do it," Preil said of taking a synagogue leadership role. But at the urging of a friend she agreed. Soon, Preil organized a singles event. "Then I became addicted," she... Full story
Community Education and Resource Affiliation, a networking group for people who work with seniors, supported the efforts of the Jewish Pavilion with a $1,200 check. CERA awarded support to several nonprofit organizations that make the world a better place. They thanked the Jewish Pavilion for bringing companionship, resources to families and Jewish culture to our elders in long- term care. Pictured are Chris Bouille, CERA president; Emily Newman, program director for the Jewish Pavilion; and... Full story
I love dogs... But you knew that already. I recently found this little poem I wrote on the subject and dedicated it in memory of Aldo: "Dogs are people too" I love dogs, yes I do! Life's not full without one, I love dogs, how about you? They bring laughter and fun! Cats are smart and cats are swell, And they never drool, But a dog is "man's best friend" That's the golden rule! (That's not to mention the unconditional love they give us. I've had dogs all of my life... cats and birds too, but I... Full story
