Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

At its May meeting, Senior Rabbi Aaron D. Rubinger advised the full Board of Trustees of Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland, of his decision—in consultation with the other clergy and lay leadership—to authorize same-sex Jewish unions at the syn... Full story

An Israeli team hopes to send a Torah scroll to the moon’s surface in an effort to preserve a part of Jewish culture in case of an apocalypse, Britain’s Daily Mail reported on Friday. The scroll would travel outside Earth’s atmosphere with other... Full story

(JTA)—“What is being done to silence this man?” an American rabbi asked in a 1963 letter to the Anti-Defamation League. He was talking about the novelist Philip Roth, whose early novels and short stories cast his fellow American Jews in what some con... Full story

After two intense days of religious ceremonies in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, unscheduled photo opportunities, and debilitating traffic arrangements, Israelis and interfaith relations experts are trying... Full story

TEL AVIV—Miriam and Emmanuel Riva were “the cream of the crop,” grieving family and friends said of the 50-year-old couple, slain in May 24’s shooting attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, Belgium. Two employees of the center were also killed,... Full story

The Jewish Community of Marion County was fortunate to complete a new Torah on Sunday, June 1. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the community joined together to welcome a brand new Sefer Torah with a completion and dedication ceremony.... Full story

Congregation Beth Sholom of Leesburg invites the public to join Rabbi Karen Allen for its Friday evening service on Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m. Following the service, please join the congregation for coffee and refreshments at the Oneg Shabbat. Guests... Full story

When I last wrote about the archive of Jewish treasures from Iraq rescued by U.S. forces in Baghdad in 2003, I noted that the prevalent opinion among Iraqi Jews—a community from which I hail on my father’s side—was that the books, photographs, scrol... Full story

When I offer to share information I have gathered over the past seven years with some people about what the Islamic fanatics are doing here in America. I frequently hear “I do not see Islamic trouble around here” and “it’s no big deal” and “I have a... Full story

The attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, resulting in four deaths including those of a visiting Israeli couple, has elevated once again the issue of anti-Semitism. It comes against the background of recent studies of the subject, including one... Full story

The thin line dividing criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism just got a little thinner. BBC journalist Chris Rogers this week was revealed to have amused himself by giving the Nazi salute and strutting about in a Hitler-style goose-step while... Full story

When Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah/Palestinian Authority (PA) signed a reconciliation agreement with Hamas, a recognized terrorist group that calls in its Charter for the destruction of Israel and the murder of Jews, the State Department’s spokeswoman, Jen... Full story

During the wedding scene in Fiddler on the Roof, Perchik, the student revolutionary, breaks with tradition by crossing from the men’s side to the women’s side to dance with Tevye’s daughter Hodel. On stage it plays like a breakthrough; even the r... Full story

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. Con... Full story

TEL AVIV (JTA)—One small step by Israelis could become a giant leap for the State of Israel. At a Tel Aviv University laboratory, a team of 20 Israelis is building a spacecraft they believe will make Israel only the fourth country—after the Uni... Full story

After 52 years, the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” tuned up for a fervently anticipated June 4 gig in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park. And the impetus for the Rolling Stones’ historic arrival during their 14 On Fire European tour came from none othe... Full story

Flying safely home (I hope)... As you read this column (written the day before I am flying to Chicago), I will have already returned to Central Florida, expecting the high heat, although I was told that Chicagoans are feeling 80 plus degree weather... Full story

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 m... Full story