Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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In just one week, four bomb threats were called in to two Jewish centers here in Central Florida, three were called into the Tampa JCC pre-school and Federation, and one was called into Jewish Community Alliance in Jacksonville. Additionally, threats were called in to the Galbut Family Jewish Community Center in Miami Beach and the Dave and Mary Alper Jewish Community Center in Kendall. According to The Roth Family JCC's security director, Andy Brennan, about 15 JCCs across nine states received...
Choices, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's largest women's philanthropy event of the year, is set for Thursday, Feb. 9, at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. Formal invitations have arrived in mailboxes over the past few weeks, and online registration is now live at www.jfgo.org/choices. Traditionally, the Federation chooses to honor one Woman of Choice each year, a woman who embodies the values of philanthropy, volunteerism, service and leadership that are at the heart of the...
(JNS.org)-A truck-ramming attack that killed four Israeli soldiers in their early 20s and injured at least 16 people at a Jerusalem bus stop Sunday was likely carried out by a supporter of the Islamic State terror group, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "We know the identity of the attacker, and according to all the signs he is a supporter of Islamic State," Netanyahu said while visiting the scene of the attack, adding that the terrorist act was similar to truck-rammings in...
Perhaps one day, Winter Park High School long snapper Evan Dvorchik's name will be listed with wide receiver Julian Edelman of the Patriots or quarterback Jay Fiedler or offensive tackle/guard Kyle Kosier-all three of whom are on the list of 10 greatest Jewish football players according to the American Jewish Historical Society. Dvorchik was named one of the top performers at the Rubio Long Snapping Camp in Kennesaw, Georgia, on Sunday, Dec. 18. If his name sounds familiar it is because he is...
A Palestinian driver rammed a truck into a crowd of Israeli soldiers Sunday at the scenic Haas Promenade overlooking Jerusalem's Old City, killing four and injuring 16 others in a terror attack that immediately drew comparisons to recent vehicular attacks in Europe. "This attack is part of the jihad against us, and the [car-ramming] methods that are being employed are part of the same methods that we saw recently in Nice and Berlin," Dr. Mordechai Kedar, senior lecturer in the Department of...
(JTA)—Jewish organizations split along ideological lines in their reactions to Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech criticizing Israeli settlement growth and laying out principles to achieve a two-state solution. Centrist groups were measured in their reactions, criticizing the American decision to abstain last week on a U.N. vote rebuking the settlements while praising Kerry’s commitment to a two-state solution. American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris wrote in an open letter Dec. 28 that he watched the speech “as one who underst...
(JTA)-NORPAC, one of the largest pro-Israel political action committees, praised President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel for his "lifetime of pro-Israel advocacy." Congratulating David Friedman on his appointment, NORPAC in a statement called him "an accomplished attorney" with "extensive knowledge of Israel and the Middle East." "His lifetime of pro-Israel advocacy has earned him the trust and respect of the Israeli People, a point which will enable him to best...
Engage in a brain-twisting, mind-wrestling, hair-splitting experience as you explore modern situations and the complex dilemmas they give rise to while you seek solutions by examining original Talmudic texts. Beginning the week of January 29, 2017, Chabad Centers throw-out metro Orlando and central Florida will offer a fascinating new six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) called The Dilemma: Modern Conundrums. Talmudic Debates. Your Solutions. In an example of one...
JCC Association of North America is applauding the staffs of Jewish (Jan. 9) community centers around the country and expressing gratitude for local law enforcement after JCCs in several states received bomb threats today. David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, who works closely with local JCCs on security, issued the below statement. “JCC Association thanks federal and local law enforcement for their quick and thorough response today, said David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC A...
Celebrate Shabbat with the Synagogue that feels like family. Our Shabbat evening service led by Rabbi Karen Allen is tonight, Friday, Jan. 13th at 7 p.m. The service will honor the members of our board of directors. An Oneg Shabbat will follow the service. The synagogue is located at 315 North 13th St. in Leesburg, with the entrance on Center Street. The Rabbi’s Torah Roundtable Discussion Group with Rabbi Karen Allen of Congregation Beth Sholom, will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26th at 2:30 p.m. at the Sumter County Administration and Library Bu...
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has announced that applications for the 2017 Ronald Colman Israel Scholarship Fund will be available online starting Monday, Jan. 16. The Ronald Colman Israel Scholarship Fund was made possible by a generous endowment established by the Colman family to encourage Jewish teens in the Greater Orlando area to participate in educational experiences in Israel. The scholarship is open to all Jewish teens in 9th—12th grades who are permanent residents of Central Florida. Gap-year programs are not eligible. A...
Clermont Hadassah is a part of a nationwide organization of Jewish women that provides humanitarian relief worldwide, advances health and well being, advocates for women and builds community in the United States and Israel. The ladies meet at noon on the second Tuesday of each month at the Clermont I-Hop at 2580 S. Hwy 27 in Clermont. Most of the members are retired and as a small group they have discussions, schmooze and create friendships. If you would like to join this group call 352-365-2163 or email veromarkow@usa2net.net for more...
Clermont Hadassah is a part of a nationwide organization of Jewish women that provides humanitarian relief worldwide, advances health and well being, advocates for women and builds community in the United States and Israel. The ladies meet at noon on the second Tuesday of each month at the Clermont I-Hop at 2580 S. Hwy 27 in Clermont. Most of the members are retired and as a small group they have discussions, schmooze and create friendships. If you would like to join this group call 352-365-2163 or email veromarkow@usa2net.net for more...
You can make a strong case that President Barack Obama’ s decision to allow United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 to pass was very harmful to Israel. By endorsing the anti-Israel narrative that every square inch of territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war—including the Jewish Quarter in East Jerusalem and the Western Wall—is “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” and that Jewish presence in those areas is a “flagrant violation of international law,” Obama didn’t just throw renegade West Bank settlers to the wolves—he threw all of Isra...
Like many others, I sat at my computer with baited breath Wednesday waiting for Secretary of State John Kerry to explain the background to the U.S. abstention on the United Nations Security Council vote. And explain he did. But there were so many things wrong with what I will call Kerry’s farewell anti-Israel speech: • Spending 45 minutes on settlements, and 45 seconds on terrorism. • Claiming the Palestinians “live under Israeli military occupation” when 98 percent of them live under the Palestinian Authority (PA). • Condemning Israeli con...
I’ll indicate in advance that this is a personal and rambling note, promoted by several responses to what I wrote about the recent decision of the UN Security Council. And it is by no means the first time I’ve been provoked by what I’ve received from my Internet friends. Several responses have detailed a century’s worth of agreements, resolutions, et al, with different correspondents producing greatly different conclusions as to what it all means for international law and the obligations or opportunities of Israel. This interchange has led me t...
Considering the perspectives of the Israeli and Palestinian populations, and seeing the reality on the ground, a two-state solution seems like the best option for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The Media’s Perspective Let’s begin by briefly summarizing, in broad brush-strokes, the commonly-available information from the media on Arab and Israeli attitudes towards the existing situation. Palestinian Arabs • A small minority agree on a two-state solution in order to have a peaceful life and prosperity, but they seek a solution that...
Following my articles taking to task President Obama and John Kerry and their stabbing Israel in the back I received many replies. The vast majority were supportive and expressed embarrassment by the Obama-Kerry tag teaming. Some apologized and made sure I knew their vindictive behavior did not reflect that of the American people. One email led to a thoughtful discussion I would like to excerpt here. A friend wrote: “I read your article with much interest. However, (I’m) a bit puzzled. While I believe (in) and support the Zionist dream..., I a...
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 Israe...
In December 2003, the world of shidduchim (Jewish matchmaking) changed for the better. SawYouAtSinai, the online Jewish matchmaking network, was launched, and has since successfully matched an impressive 2,700+ of its members. This month it celebrates its bar mitzvah anniversary. SawYouAtSinai’s co-founder Azi Cutter remarks, “It’s hard to believe that 13 years ago, Marc Goldmann and I met at Starbucks and shared with each other our passions for changing the way people dated online, and specifically, how matchmakers communicated with both...
Love cats? Then the Orlando Cat Café is the place to visit and possibly adopt a cat (or just play with them). It is the first of its kind to open in Florida, and owner Sandra Cagan is thrilled with its success. Since opening last September, more than 4,000 guests have visited the café and there have been 38 adoptions as of the end of the year. "If you are not familiar with the Cat Café concept, it is something that started in Japan where it remains very popular," Cagan explained. "Since ho...
(JTA)—President-elect Donald Trump accused the Obama administration of treating Israel with “total disdain” hours after Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech rebuking the country’s settlement policy and offering his plan for Middle East peace. Trump spoke to reporters on the steps of his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, on Dec. 28 in what is being reported as his longest media appearance since winning the election last month. He said Israel is being treated “very, very unfairly.” The incoming U.S. leader sidestepped a question about whether Israe...
"My Jewish Roots" Workshops, sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Orlando (JGSGO) continue in February with the workshop: "The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe." Several years ago, an opportunity came out of the blue for me to visit Moldova and the Ukraine, staying in two different cities with family of my Indiana dentist. I jumped at the opportunity, never having imagined being able to visit the city of my father's birth (Bendery, Bessarabia). Jacob Moses Schwartzman (1888-1966),...
(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org)-Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett announced Monday that his party is planning to draft a bill to annex the Jerusalem suburb of Ma'aleh Adumim. The community is located east of Jerusalem, beyond the 1967 lines. Bennett's announcement coincided with a Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting about the application of Israeli sovereignty to Ma'aleh Adumim. "Today, we are continuing along the path of [late Prime Minister] Levi Eshkol, who applied...
Simon Wiesenthal Center reaction... This email was sent to me by Alyssa Brognano of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. It reads as follows: "It is unprecedented for an outgoing Administration to make such a draconian foreign policy shift-while simultaneously packing their boxes to leave Washington", Rabbis Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean and Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading Jewish Human Rights NGO declared. "Secretary Kerry makes it sound like it's the apartments...
