Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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In Israel, Israeli soldiers and bereaved families visit graves of fallen soldiers at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, on Yom Hazikaron, which commemorates Israel's fallen soldiers and Israeli civilians killed in terror attacks. Here in Central Florida at the Roth JCC, the community observed Yom Hazikaron with song, prayers and memories. See page 16 for the article and community photos....
One of Pnina Newirth's earliest childhood memories is of a trip to Mount Meron on Lag B'Omer. But this was no ordinary family vacation. "I was very small, yet I vividly recall the huge fires and the immense crowds," she says. Despite the cacophony and the roaring bonfires, the Ra'anana resident insists she felt no fear that day. "I knew my parents were there and would protect me. And we stood far enough back so give us a bit of distance," Newirth recalls. That moment was more than three decades...
Summer is quickly approaching and in less than two months Camp J will be starting its 42nd summer at the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando. The national award-winning summer camp in the heart of Maitland prides itself on being a safe and fun environment for children to spend the summer infused with Jewish values and national award-winning programming. “Camp J is unlike any camp around because we have so many different activities in one place,” said Abby Paulson, Camp J director. “Not all children have the same interests, so we ha...
Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of North America is pleased to honor Harriett Lake as the recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award. Established in 2004 in honor of Lion of Judah founders Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland z”l, this award recognizes Jewish women who have made a positive, invaluable and lasting influence on their Jewish communities. It is not a surprise that Lake is being awarded with this special recognition. She established the Lion of Judah Division in Orlando 35 years ago and since then has become one...
Dr. Gary P. Zola sees an inextricable connection between American Jewish history, American history, and global Jewish history. "The study of the Jewish experience in the context of the American nation sheds light on the story of the nation itself," Zola, executive director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, told JNS.org. "Jews played an inordinately large role in shaping the character of American culture and heritage. The opportunities Jews had to contribute to...
The Jewish National Fund has introduced its re-designed pushke, better known as the Blue Box—the box that built a country. “More than a century old, our little Blue Box is known the world over but it does change to keep up with the times,” said Russell F. Robinson, CEO of JNF. “Today’s pushke represents the many projects in Israel that we and our partners are funding to build a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.” The box has seen many iterations over the years. The first one was actually Theodor Herzl’s hat. At the Fifth...
By Uriel Heilman NEW YORK (JTA)-When the 92nd Street Y announced that it had hired a new executive director, Crain's New York Business went with an eye-catching headline: "It's a goy! 92nd St. Y picks first non-Jewish chief." The announcement that Henry Timms would lead the famed Upper East Side cultural center represented the culmination of the Y's effort to move past the scandal-tainted tenure of its previous director, Sol Adler, who was fired last July. Adler's dismissal followed revelations...
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is proud to announce that Hadassah Magazine has received 12 Rockower awards, more than any other publication (magazine, newspaper or website) and more than all other magazines combined. Nine of the 12 awards were for first place. This is the second year in a row Hadassah Magazine has received the most awards. The Simon Rockower Award, sometimes referred to as the “Jewish Pulitzers,” is an award given for “Excellence in Jewish Journalism.” The award is sponsored by the American Jewish Pr...
Beit Hamidrash, the community Hebrew high school program, was created more than 25 years ago by the area synagogues in conjunction with the Jewish Federation. The program—which seeks to impart post b’nai mitzvah high school students with a mixture of serious Jewish learning, including the Holocaust and American Jewish history, coupled with lighter educational classes such as cooking and art—has educated several thousand teens in the last 25 years. Unfortunately, the program has experienced a steady decline in numbers over the last eight years...
Dual residency in London and "Heathrow" led to the formation of the Pavilion Golf Society (PGS) here in Orlando. Co-chairs Lloyd Green, and Ken Davis share a passion for golf, friendship and older adults. Their second annual PGS - Pavilion Golf Society Tournament will take place on Sunday, June 1 at Alaqua Country Club. The PGS tournament follows in the footsteps of a successful golf tournament in London that raises mega bucks for Jewish seniors. The event begins with breakfast from Bagel King...
The entire community is cordially invited to attend the dedication (Hannukat HaBayit) of the Roth Social Hall at Temple Israel, which has recently been renovated. Please join the Temple Israel membership for this special occasion as well as representatives from the greater Orlando Jewish community on Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m. at the synagogue, located at 50 S. Moss Road, Winter Springs. Rabbi Joshua Neely will begin the festivities with some words of Torah to be followed by coffee, tea, and...
By Alan Dershowitz When President Barack Obama warned of “international fallout” if Israel fails to embrace the latest U.S. Middle East peace proposal, Newsmax asked noted author and Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz to comment on the growing talk of a European boycott against Israel. Why are so many of the grandchildren of Nazis and Nazi collaborators who brought us the Holocaust once again declaring war on the Jews? Why have we seen such an increase in anti-Semitism and irrationally virulent anti-Zionism in western Europe? To answer the...
This article also ran in the Times of Israel. The Heritage ran the article about the anti-Semitic vandalism at Feldman’s off-campus housing in the May 2, 2014 issue. “We have something important to tell you and we really think you should know. We found at least 3 swastikas on the walls on the third floor.” This is how Saturday, April 26, ended for me. Not only did I find those three swastikas, but I found six more when I was making my rounds in the building. This is any Jewish college student’s worst nightmare. It is a reminder that either...
(JTA)—The vote is over, but the debate rages on over the recent rejection of J Street’s application to join the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Depending on where you stand, the 22-17 vote rejecting the application was either about J Street’s own missteps or the conference’s failure to live up to its billing as the Jewish community’s vehicle for bringing together organizations from across the political and religious spectrum to forge a strong pro-Israel consensus. With passions running high, it seemed like a go...
I am not normally for new Jewish/Israeli based organizations—we seem to have more than our share. Yet, the time has come for a new effort that will restore the greatness and vitality of the Zionist movement. Israel and the Jewish People are under attack from the outside, and more importantly, from the inside. Support for Zionism is the weakest I’ve seen. Support for Israel seems to be getting weaker every day—especially from within our Jewish community. The Zionist Spring is a new effort with which I am very impressed. It is not a polit...
Earlier this week the application of JStreet, which calls itself “The political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans,” was denied membership in the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP). While I personally find their stance on Israel and how they approach Israeli issues in Washington unhelpful from the viewpoint of someone who lives here, nevertheless they deserve a seat on the COP. To understand that position one needs to look at several critical factors beyond whether one agrees or disagrees with the pro...
(ALGEMEINER)—There were very good reasons why the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (the Conference) clearly voted against the membership application of J Street , an extremist group whose activities are hostile to Israel. The key stated missions of the Conference are “mobilizing support to halt Iran’s nuclear program,” “counter[ing] the global campaign to delegitimize Israel and the Jewish people,” “bolster[ing] Israel’s security” and “combating terrorism and anti-Semitism.” J Street ’s actions are clearly at...
MORNING AND EVENING MINYANS (Call synagogue to confirm time.) Chabad of South Orlando—Monday and Thursday, 8 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 Israel—Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-647-3055. FRIDAY, MAY 16 Light Shabba...
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2014 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented in August at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. “For more than 25 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the Central Florida community have been honored with the selection and presentation of this award,” said Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last year’s recipient was Nina Oppenheim. Former recipients have...
As is the case for many holidays in the Jewish calendar cycle, Lag B'Omer (May 18 this year) carries within it not one, but multiple and distinct layers of meaning. Mystical significances, historical memories, and moral reflections all meld together into the contemporary notion of what makes this day special, the product of nearly two millennia of overlaid and interwoven innovations in tradition and observance. One of the most prominent themes describes that the 33rd day of the Omer period broug...
(ByALGEMEINER)—Al-Quds University Professor Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi, who was maligned for bringing Palestinian Arab students to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp, was expelled from the school’s teacher’s union last week, according to a copy of the letter posted to the Facebook page of a colleague. Rima Najjar, an assistant professor of English Literature at Al Quds, headlined her Facebook post: “Dr. Mohammad Dajani’s union membership at Al-Quds University has been suspended because of his visit to Auschwitz.” She wrote, “The attach...
More than 100 women gathered at the 6th Annual Jewish Pavilion Fashion Show held on May 1 at Hutton in Winter Park, for a morning of friendship, fashion, finger foods, and fun. Pavilion volunteers graciously served as runway models as storeowne Susan Johnson shared the latest fashion trends. Pavilion board member and event honoree Elaine Gamson thanked Pavilion volunteers, family members and participants for their overwhelming support of the event, as well as of the Jewish elder community, her...
It's that time, I suppose... These days (being a so-called "Senior Citizen,") many of my friends, my spouse and I, and assorted relatives, are thinking about trusts, wills and such. Knowing that I'm an animal lover, someone sent this to me via email and I think it is worthy of repeating: A Dog's Last Will And Testament Before humans die, they write their last will and testament, give their home and all they have to those they leave behind. If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I'd...
(JTA)—A Jewish carpenter filed a federal lawsuit saying he was attacked with anti-Semitic insults and threats while working for the New York Housing Authority. Mitchell Imberman, 60, of Manhattan, claimed in the suit filed in Brooklyn District Court that his bosses similarly attacked him when he asked them to help. Imberman said subordinates called him a “filthy Jew” and a “dumb kike,” the New York Post reported Sunday. He also said in the lawsuit that his tools were stolen, swastikas were painted on the walls where he worked and he found fec...
On Lag B'Omer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer and the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, the Jewish community is aflame with celebration. People frolic around bonfires in traditional festivities, marking the day with joy. According to Rabbi BenZion Friedman, director of the Torah Learning Center of Greater Kansas City, the tradition of lighting bonfires on Lag B'Omer started with the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on the 18th of Iyar. Known as the Rashbi, on the day of his...
