Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot and killed on Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The male victim was identified as Yaron Lischinsky. His final post on social media was a repost of a message condemning the United Nations' false claim that 14,000 infants in Gaza were facing imminent starvation, labeling it a modern-day blood libel. According to Israeli Ambassador to Berlin Ron Prosor, who taught him as a master student, Lischinsky was a Germany-born...
Israel's Yuval Raphael defied expectations to come in second in the annual Eurovision song contest on May 17, narrowly losing out to Austria after being buoyed by the popular vote but also drawing points from the juries in 14 countries. "Thank you, Europe! Am Yisrael chai!" Raphael shouted from the stage after her performance. Azerbaijan awarded Israel all 12 of the points its jury could give, in a departure from last year, when Israel did not win any country's full jury points. Azerbaijan is a...
(JTA) - Since 1540, a prestigious chain of scholars has held the title of the Regius Professor of Hebrew at the University of Cambridge. But not one of these scholars of Hebrew and Semitic studies was Jewish - until this year. In September 2025, Aaron Koller will become the first Jew to join the university's department of Middle Eastern Studies as the Regius Professor of Hebrew, a role established by King Henry VIII. Koller is packing up from New York City, where he has taught at Yeshiva...
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists burst from Gaza, slaughtering all they encountered. Ofakim was one of the communities attacked. Forty-seven innocent, unsuspecting civilians were murdered. Using only a few small arms, Ofakim citizens fought back like lions, holding off the bloodthirsty, heavily armed terrorists until help arrived hours later. Ofakim's heroic resistance helped prevent Hamas from reaching other communities. The Lion of Ofakim is the largest in the Middle East. It is the first...
(JNS) - After signing agreements with Saudi Arabia worth about $600 billion on May 13, U.S. President Donald Trump was expected to tout the deals that evening during a speech in Riyadh at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum. Instead, he broke news announcing a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, by saying that he intended to lift sanctions on Syria, which had been imposed during the regime of Basher Assad. "In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there's a new government that will...
Kinneret Council on Aging, an area nonprofit that provides life enhancing resources to the over 300 residents of Kinneret Apartments and to seniors living outside that community, has expanded the scope of its activities even further. Additional onsite activities include a monthly nutrition class provided by the Second Harvest Food Bank, and weekly English and semi-weekly Spanish classes. Fresh fruit and vegetables, canned items and protein are now available twice a month through KCOA's new...
Mark your calendars for an evening of elegance, connection, and community impact at the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services Cocktail Party, hosted by Heritage Florida Jewish News. Join friends and supporters of the Jewish Pavilion for this festive gathering at Grand Living Park at Lake Mary, 1021 Royal Gardens Circle, Lake Mary, held on Wednesday, June 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy an open bar, gourmet heavy hors d'oeuvres, and desserts, all while mingling with Jewish Pavilion...
(JNS) — U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander’s mother Yael revealed new details of his ordeals as a captive of Hamas in Gaza. “Our hearts broke as Edan began to share the unimaginable hardship, the daily fear—just to survive the night. The hunger, the lack of water, the horrific sanitary conditions,” his mother said from Ichilov Hospital, where her son is recovering after his release on May 12. He is expected to stay at the hospital for four days. Edan, 21, was freed by Hamas after 584 days in captivity. He was 19 when he was captured while ser...
(JNS) — Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America has released its list of “18 American Zionist women you should know” for three years to “spread the word that today’s Zionists aren’t who you think of when you hear the word,” the nonprofit told JNS. “Zionism today is expressed in myriad powerful and personal ways by women of all different backgrounds and walks of life,” Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah’s national president, told JNS. “Hadassah’s list captures that breadth of experience and celebrates women who are not only advocating f...
(JNS) — U.S. President Donald Trump told Saudi Arabian officials that they ought to recognize Israel formally, and by doing so, “you’ll be greatly honoring me.” “It’s been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords. It’s my fervent hope, wish and even my dream, that Saudi Arabia, a place I have such respect for, especially over the last fairly short period of time—what you’ve been able to do,” Trump said in a speech in Riyadh on Tuesday, as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looking on. “But we’ll soon be joining the Abraham Accords. I thin...
“Hang up the phone and play dead.” This harrowing advice from Yuval Raphael’s father saved her life on Oct. 7, 2023, and brought her to the spotlight in Basel, Switzerland as Israel’s representative to Eurovision this week. Most Americans have never heard of Eurovision, and surely not 24-year-old Yuval Raphael. On Oct. 7, 2023, Yuval was at the Nova music festival in southern Israel along the Gaza border, located in a wooded area with an adjacent lot on which a stage had been set up for all night music and dancing. Thousands of young people...
(JNS) — A recent report published by the Network Contagion Research Institute highlighted a connection between the Middle East Children’s Alliance, makers of the “Teach Palestine Project,” and the Union of Health Work Committees in Gaza, which has financial and personnel ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The PFLP is a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. Connections between the terror group and UHWC came to light after the 2019 murder of 17-year-old Israeli Rina Shnerb, and was reported on by Matthew Levitt f...
(JNS) — I wrote last week about the most famous biblical commandment: “love thy neighbor.” We shared commentary by Nachmanides (the Rambam) on how we mustn’t harbor hate in our hearts but rather confront the person who we believe wronged us. That way, we will be able to keep the peace between us and ultimately be able to fulfill the commandment to love thy neighbor. The problem is that not everyone enjoys being confrontational. I don’t have any statistics, but I would imagine that most people tend to shy away from confrontation. The average p...
Recently there have been rumors of President Trump changing the name of the Persian Gulf to the “Arabian Gulf,” causing great concern and even anger among millions of Iranians. At the same time, there are ongoing reports about the U.S. making a deal with the evil Iranian Islamic regime, concerning Israelis, Iranians, and Americans alike. As Trump visited the Middle East and flew over the body of water separating Iran and the Arabian peninsula, it’s important to look at what this means today, historically, and the long-term implications for t...
(JNS) — This week, one of our prayers has been answered: Edan Alexander is free. Taken hostage during the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, and dragged into the Gaza Strip along with some 250 others, he is now able to see the sky after 584 days in captivity. And while we thank God for his return, we must also take a few minutes to reflect on something even larger — what it means when a young man like Edan chooses to leave his family, friends and future behind to serve a people and a nation he didn’t have to. Because he didn...
(JNS) — U.S. President Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel and the Jewish people have ever had in the White House. Still, some are concerned that there has been no action on Iran. The ayatollahs are the most devious, conniving and untrustworthy cabal in the world. They have perpetrated terrorism against America and Israel in the form of proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. They have funded and encouraged university riots and protests in cities across the world. Regime change in Iran should be the goal. Iran is a paper t...
MORNING MINYANS 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 Israel — Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-647-3...
(JNS) — Israeli civilian communities in Judea and Samaria serve as the Jewish state’s “defensive wall in every sense of the word,” President Isaac Herzog said in remarks to the Makor Rishon Settlement Conference, held in the southern Samaria town of Ofra. “During my many visits across the country—and certainly in Judea and Samaria—and especially when I fly over the land by helicopter, I become increasingly convinced of how vital, impressive, and thriving the settlement enterprise is,” Herzog said in a pre-recorded statement. He described Judea...
Last November, as part of a company staff retreat, my daughter (who is also my co-worker) and I had the opportunity to visit Paamoney Ruach, (Wind Chimes), a unique nonprofit that serves as both a therapeutic facility for people with severe PTSD and a shelter for abused animals. As someone with a background in social work who generally prefers animals at a distance, I went with an open mind but no expectations. Wind Chimes is located in a residential neighborhood, hidden behind fences. When Dr....
(JNS) — “It’s not like Elkana to break down,” said Ruhama Bohbot, the mother of Hamas captive Elkana Bohbot, who appeared in a Hamas propaganda video released on Saturday alongside fellow hostage Yosef Haim Ohana. In the video, Ohana claims that Elkana attempted to harm himself. Since the video aired, Ruhama told JNS that the family has been overwhelmed with anxiety and fear, unable to eat or sleep. They don’t know if what’s shown in the video is real and are desperately awaiting updates fro...
Even a rainy forecast couldn't wash out the generosity and good cheer at this year's Jewish Pavilion Senior Services Golf Tournament, held on May 12 at the Heathrow Country Club. While the weather cut the day short - forcing play to end early after 128 enthusiastic golfers hit the course - the event still delivered a memorable experience for all involved and raised over $25,000 to benefit the Orlando Senior Help Desk, a vital free information and referral service for local seniors and their...
(JTA) - If she found it unnerving to see someone make a throat-slitting gesture at her as she walked the carpet at the first event in the Eurovision song contest, Yuval Raphael wasn't letting on. "It was a stressful situation, scary at times," Raphael, Israel's competitor in this year's song contest, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an interview Monday. She was speaking a day after the competition's "turquoise carpet" kickoff, when Israel filed a police report accusing a pro-Palestinian...
This quick dinner can be prepared in 20 minutes to serve four. 4 four-six ounce cod fillets, 1/2 thick, fresh or defrosted* Buttered flavored or traditional vegetable spray 2 tsp. dried thyme 2 tsp. paprika Aluminum foil 1 tsp. low sodium vegetable broth crystals or 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. fresh black pepper This recipe can be prepared with any white fish, sea bass, orange rugby, or tilapia. Spray a piece of foil or parchment paper with vegetable spray on a baking sheet with sides. Place the...
Today, more and more American families are involved in the care of their loved ones. Often, that creates a change in family dynamics, routines, reassigning roles, economic hardships and demands on adult time and emotional stress for all family members involved. The changes taking place can be threatening for children. Change creates loss, and loss creates grief. A grieving child needs reassurance that he or she will be cared for and is loved. It is extremely important to listen to your child verbalize their fears, anger, confusion and doubts....
