Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Jewish Academy of Orlando will welcome its students back to in person learning this fall with precautions in place. Consistent with the recommendations of the American Association of Pediatrics, students will attend school, while following stringent safety guidelines to minimize the risk of COVID-19. In May, Head of School Alan Rusonik assembled a re-opening task force that included JAO faculty, administration, board members and parents as well as pediatricians, lawyers and other professionals...
Anyone who has heard a lecture by Kenneth Hanson, Ph.D., coordinator of the Judaic Studies at UCF, knows how passionate he is about telling the history of Israel through its archaeological finds. Hanson is a natural storyteller who makes the past come to life through his books (almost a dozen), blogs, podcasts, radio, videos and television (The History Channel). A scholar of Hebrew language and the history of the Jewish people, Hanson has just completed a new book whose timing is perfect as...
Very few things can be scarier than having to appear in a courtroom. One concern in many people's minds is which judge will be trying their case. With almost 150 endorsements from lawyers, rest assured that those who stand before Judge Alan Apte of the Ninth Circuit Courts of Orange and Osceola counties will have a fair hearing. In fact, no one walks out of his courtroom confused. He makes sure that the litigants and lawyers understand everything that happens. In a calm, straightforward and...
A college student from Houston, Texas, started a petition against the popular retailer SHEIN for selling what she believed was a Nazi swastika pendant. The Stop Anti-Semitism watchdog group also pressured SHEIN concerning the necklace. In response SHEIN removed the necklace from its website. This article was originally intended to bring attention to the offensive pendant and its removal from the retailer's website through the effective watchdog pressure and petition that shined a light on the...
Approximately five years ago, Danielle McKinstry graduated The University of Connecticut and landed her first job at Central Florida Hillel as engagement associate. During the ensuing five years, McKinstry received nearly annual promotions until her most recent one last year when she became Hillel's assistant director. As AD, McKinstry led an unprecedented period of growth in the numbers of Jewish students being active in Jewish life on our campuses here in Orlando. Moreover, her work as a...
Although the Holocaust Center remains closed because of the coronavirus, events are still planned that can be attended virtually. As part of the Strategies for Action programs, the Holocaust Center presents on July 28, “The Limits & Necessities of ‘Never Again’: The Holocaust and Injustice Today,” with Dr. Danny M. Cohen, noon to 1 p.m. This event is free. Drawing on the story of Michael Bauer, the gay son of Jewish Holocaust survivors who lived through the AIDS crisis, attendees will think critically about how intergenerational memory and inh...
The Summer Author Series The series continues on Sunday, July 19 at 1 p.m. Rachel Beanland, will discuss her book, “Florence Adler Swims Forever,” in a Zoom conversation. Based on a true story and told in the vein of J. Courtney Sullivan’s “Saints for All Occasions” and Anita Diamant’s “The Boston Girl,” Beanland’s family saga is a breathtaking portrait of just how far we will go to in order to protect our loved ones and an uplifting portrayal of how the human spirit can endure — and even...
As the school year approaches, families are facing an unprecedented challenge as they seek a quality education for their children in a safe and supportive environment. The Roth Family JCC is doing its part to help. They are launching an initiative to provide all-day childcare for elementary, middle, and high school students who are enrolled in virtual/distance learning programs. As part of this initiative, the JCC will offer a safe place for students to do their schoolwork under the supervision of a dedicated academic support professional....
(JNS) - Anti-Defamation League national director and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt has come under fire from Jewish groups for appearing on the MSNBC show "Politics Nation With Al Sharpton" on Sunday to promote the ADL's call for corporations to boycott Facebook in July over its unwillingness to ban hate speech on the social-media giant's platform. While the message seems on target with ADL's work, the idea of partnering with someone like Sharpton, who has a history of anti-Semitism and other bigotry,...
NEW YORK — Arthur Stark, chairman; William Daroff, CEO; and Malcolm Hoenlein, vice chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement: “We are outraged by recent instances of blatant anti-Semitism in America, many of which manifest in actions by anti-Israel individuals and organizations seeking to co-opt the national reckoning with racial inequity. By taking advantage of the increased media spotlight on social justice they seek to spread their bigoted messages of hatred toward the Jewish...
(JNS) — Israel’s outgoing Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon reflected on his last five years in office and plans for the future during his final press briefing on Tuesday. Danon’s first move upon returning to Israel will be to visit his mother, who he has not seen in almost a year, he said. Regarding the next step in his career, he shared advice that former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley gave him, which is to take “time before making any commitments.” So, he said, “I’m going to go back to Israel and enjoy it. Rel...
(JNS) — Peter Beinart has laid out his political vision once again. Once again, too, he trots out his ignorance, his serpentine reasoning and his shocking immorality. It’s always crisis time for him. However, this time, it’s not a solution of two states in the territory west of the Jordan River he is championing for “the classic two-state solution is dead,” he writes. The solution, rather, is just one state; well, sort of. And no, he is not promoting Caroline Glick’s book. Rather, he seeks an “equal Israel-Palestine.” Returning to an ideologic...
(JNS) — What, exactly do American Jews think about the possibility of reuniting small parts of Judea and Samaria with the rest of Israel? Rabbi Eric Yoffie, former president of the Union for Reform Judaism, says he knows. Writing in Haaretz this week, he declared: “American Jews are not happy.” Note he didn’t say “some” or even “many.” Rather, “American Jews” — all of them, apparently — are “not happy” about any possible annexation. According to Yoffie, all American Jews are “shocked,” “panicked,” “puzzled,” “confused,” and “above a...
(JNS) — As Israel considers how and when to apply sovereignty to parts of Judea and Samaria — drawing its map in cooperation with the United States and leaving a chair at the table for the Palestinian Authority — American Democrats, the European community, parts of the international Jewish community and to an apparently lesser degree the Gulf Arab countries have been busy pronouncing themselves “troubled” by the whole process. The silent party has been the Palestinian Authority. Until now. In a text message to “the Quartet” (the “peacemaking...
(JNS) — In the view of those cheering on the efforts of the Black Lives Matter movement, this July 4 was one less of celebration than of soul-searching and reassessment. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the normal festivities were always going to be muted. But the brutal death of George Floyd on May 25 sent angry crowds of sometimes peaceful protesters into the streets seeking to topple monuments of not just Confederates, but also the nation’s Founding Fathers and a host of other historical figures who don’t measure up to the woke stand...
(JNS) — Given the racial strife in the United States during the past month, the news media appears determined to exploit every possible manifestation with partisan political purpose in mind. Or so it seems. A recent “news” story that captivated the nation’s headlines focused on the report of a noose found hanging in the garage stall of African-American NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. It was, it appeared on merit, newsworthy. Until it wasn’t. But the lack of credibility of the story, and the obvious ramifications, continued to be exploited...
Dear Editor: Thanks for publishing the article about this anti-Semitic president (“FSU senate keeps new president”) and the article “Speak out against anti-Semitism on campus,” (both in June 26, 2020). I hope many of your readers decide to express their objections to retaining this student in a leadership position. The following is a letter I wrote to the president of UCF. Dear President Thrasher: Recently you issued a statement that “Anti-Semitism and religious discrimination have no place at Florida State University.” How does that transl...
MORNING MINYANS (Please note, because of the coronavirus, all minyans have been canceled or held virtually.) 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...
The RAISE program for young adults with special needs is now accepting online applications for a limited number of fall positions. RAISE is a 6- to 12-month work and social skills training program offered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando that is open to all faiths and provides paid employment at our partnering Jewish agencies. In addition, RAISE assists our employees in the transition to finding employment in the community. If you know a young adult who may benefit from RAISE or you are interested in volunteering as a Job...
In 2009, Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D., a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn, became the ninth and first female president of Stetson University. Founded in 1883, Libby is also the first Jewish president. She officially retired on June 30, 2020, becoming president emerita. When asked how it feels to retire, she remarked, "The most difficult thing for me about my retirement will be missing my friends and colleagues with whom I've worked for so many years. Living close to the campus will make my retirement mor...
By Kenneth Hanson, Ph.D. Jerusalem, July, 2011 C.E. A tiny bell. A tiny golden bell. Might this be the "signal" for which a small sect of faithful Israelites have waited for two millennia, declaring that the time is ripe for rebuilding the ruined temple of Jerusalem? By contrast might it be a "provocation," as Palestinian sources claim, in the ongoing conflict over who owns the most disputed piece of real estate on earth? According to Palestinian television news, "Israeli sources said that a...
Calls at the Orlando Senior Help Desk at the Jewish Pavilion have increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Nancy Ludin, CEO, “It is harder to find the resources you need when tours are less available. In recent weeks, we have received numerous calls about assisted-living and rehabilitation facilities. We have also received calls pertaining to medical services, low-income housing, home repair and numerous other topics. Some residents of senior living communities have called with C...
Can't get this tune out of my head... I refer to "A Fine Romance." Maybe it's because I'm a professional vocalist? Maybe it's because I'm a proud Jew and have the privilege of writing this column for Jewish readers? I love to acknowledge talented Jewish composers and lyricists who wrote fabulous songs that are now considered part of the Great American Songbook. Recently I watched on TV, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as they performed "A Fine Romance." (Not Rap Crap!) I love that song ("A fine...
(JTA) — New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman invited fellow NFL star DeSean Jackson to have “uncomfortable conversations” about anti-Semitism and hatred against Blacks. Edelman was responding to recent posts by Jackson attributed to Adolf Hitler, which Jackson later removed and apologized for, and the reaction to them, including calls for him to be cut by the Philadelphia Eagles. In an Instagram video, Edelman offered to accompany Jackson to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and then to join Jackson on a tour of the National Museu...
This summer, like the past nine summers, I am the Susya pool lifeguard. Everyday my day starts at 6:30 a.m. Our summers here in Har Hevron are slow and easy. Not much goes on. That is a blessing. In the summer of 2017, right on the first day of summer vacation, there was a terrible tragedy in nearby Kiryat Arba. Some of you may remember, a beautiful 8th grade girl was stabbed to death in her bed. The day before this horror, the 8th grade class of girls was at the pool for their class...
