Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Israeli-American Council, the Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando quickly pulled together a rally on Sunday, Oct. 8, to show their support for Israel and where many call "home." T-shirts stating "I Stand With Israel" were available in the foyer of the JCC as approximately 350 people gathered to stand in solidarity. Intermingled with the crowd were Representative Anna Eskamani, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Val Demings, as well as Congressman...
(JNS) - "The era of reasoning with these savages is over," Israel's ambassador to the United Nations told an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on Sunday, referring to the Hamas terrorist organization. Following the weekend's unprecedented terrorist assault on Israel by the Gaza-based Iranian proxy group, envoy Gilad Erdan said the time has come to "obliterate Hamas terror infrastructure, to completely erase it, so that such horrors are never committed again." He continued: "These...
SAN FRANCISCO (J. Jewish News of Northern California via JTA) - Dianne Feinstein was an eshet chayil, the Hebrew term for a woman of valor, Rabbi Jonathan Singer proclaimed in his opening remarks at a memorial service for the U.S. senator who died Sept. 29 at 90. The event outside San Francisco City Hall was attended by about 1,500 invited guests, all gathered to remember a pathbreaking politician who spent a decade as the city's first woman mayor. Singer, the co-senior rabbi of Congregation...
(Oct. 9, 2023, JTA) — A massive military operation is underway to place Gaza under a “complete siege,” Israel’s defense minister said on Monday, 48 hours after a surprise attack by Hamas left 800 Israelis dead, thousands wounded and more than 100 captive in Gaza. “We are going to change the Middle East,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, according to Israeli media. Meanwhile, a second front in the war has threatened to open up. On Monday, a number of gunmen entered Israel’s north from Lebanon, where the Hezbollah ter...
(JNS) — Israeli forces have regained control of all the communities near the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday morning after two days of combat with Hamas terrorists. “We are in control of the ‘Gaza envelope’ communities,” IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told journalists during a press briefing. He warned, however, that there are still terrorists in the area. Hagari added that the military has called up 300,000 reservists. Early Monday morning, exchanges of fire took place at Kibbutz Be’eri, Kibbutz Holit, Kibb...
WASHINGTON (JTA) — The U.S. State Department confirmed that there were at least 25 Americans among the hundreds of people killed after Hamas invasion of Israel. “At this time, we can confirm the deaths of nine U.S. citizens,” said a State Department statement released early Monday. “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected.” The front page of the State Department’s website on Monday morning was headlined “Israel Under Attack” with a link to information. “The United States unequivocally con...
(JNS) — Pro-Hamas rallies in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are “abhorrent,” according to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate. “Hamas is a terrorist group that is dedicated to the destruction of Israel and commits atrocities to further that end.” “We are proud of the relationship between Florida and Israel and remember well the support we received from the IDF following the Surfside tower collapse,” he added. “Florida stands with Israel as it faces one of its greatest challenges.” Images and footage of pro-Palestinia...
Please note: The referenced book, compiled by Charles Jacobs and Avi Goldwasser just came to print in June. It is a compilation of Jewish thinkers and academics whose credibility warrants thoughtful consideration. It is my hope that the result will stimulate every contemporary Jew to become a proactive contributor in protecting our Jewish future. In the recent publication of “BETRAYAL, The Failure of American Jewish Leadership,” authors Charles Jacobs and Avi Goldwasser, assess the reasons for Jewish leadership’s ineffectiveness in comba...
(JNS) — My neighbor doesn’t work in an office. He created a niche company that offers adventure experiences to Israelis and visiting tourists. His experience in the outdoors have taught him certain life skills that are needed by the IDF during emergencies. When he drives off in a rush, especially on a quiet Shabbat, there’s no need to check the news to know something has happened. We returned from prayers on Saturday and one of our children told us our neighbor had rushed off early in the morning. That was the first sign something was wrong...
On our return to Warsaw we took some time to rest from our day’s touring, to prepare for Kabbalat (Evening) Shabbat services at a local synagogue and Shabbat dinner at our hotel. We were advised at the last minute that we would not be attending the local synagogue; rather Kabbalat Shabbat services would be in the hotel led by one of the guides from a companion group which had combined with our tour group for Shabbat services and dinner. I was a looking forward to Kabbalat Shabbat services at an actual “working” local synagogue since all the syn...
(JNS) — Earlier this week, ultra-Orthodox Jews parading through Jerusalem’s Old City passed a group of Christians bearing a large wooden cross. Some of the Jews spat on the ground in the Christians’ direction. Two days later, Jerusalem police arrested five Jews involved in a similar spitting incident. The spitters provoked widespread outrage and disgust. They were denounced by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the chief rabbis of Israel and the U.K., and a number of ultra-Orthodox politicians too. The rabbis and other Orthodo...
(JNS) — Saturday’s Hamas assault is the 2023 version of the 1973 Yom Kippur war. The complete surprise—the governing paradigm, the collapse of the lines of defense—is very reminiscent of what happened here exactly 50 years ago. In a well-synchronized and orchestrated attack, Hamas managed to surprise Israeli intelligence and completely topple the Israel Defense Forces Gaza Division’s doctrine, which relied in recent years on the false security of the border fence. There are several difficult questions that someone will be forced to give answ...
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 forces killed several terrorists attempting to enter Israel from Lebanon, Army Radio reported on Monday afternoon. “The IDF forces killed a number of militants who crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanese territory,” the Israel Defense Forces confirmed in a statement. The IDF was searching the area to make sure additional terrorists had not entered the country, while attack helicopters carried out strikes near the border. Residents near the border fence were instructed to remain in their homes, with their doors locked and li...
Join the Jewish Pavilion for an evening of community, connection, and celebration. The Jewish Pavilion Harvest and Post-Sukkot Networking Festival is set to take place on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5-7 p.m. at the Watercrest Winter Park senior community. This event promises an evening filled with appetizers, desserts, drinks, and lively music, all for a couvert of $25 per person. No celebration is complete without music, and the Jewish Pavilion Networking Festival will feature a live band to set...
Breast cancer awareness is not merely a cause; it’s a movement that brings communities together. On Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., hosts its 2nd Annual Hadassah Walks for Breast Cancer Awareness. This event will take place throughout Florida, and promises a day filled with purpose, education, and camaraderie. In the Hadassah Florida Central Region, the following chapters are proud to Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness: • Tampa Ameet Chapter, Lylah Pinellas Chapter, and St. Petersburg Chapter are joini...
A major expansion of Shayna’s Village programming is underway and will use the JCC’s former “youth wing,” renamed Heller Family Grove, thanks to the generosity of the Heller Family. Karen Duncan will continue to lead Shayna’s Village programming, along with two new additions to the team: Karen Spector, senior director of Education and Engagement for Shayna’s Village; and Stefani Rabideaux, Shayna’s Village social media and Art director. Shayna’s Village will continue to offer parenting classes and programs, and with the expansion, the new Shayn...
More than 48 million Americans are caregivers. There are 50 federal actions to help those caring for older adults, including expanded home-base care for veterans and a pilot program offering help for caregivers dealing with loved ones who have dementia. The Florida State Office is fighting for legislation and policy changes on issues such as paid leave and tax credits for caregiving work. AARP helps families find local resources and tools through state caregivers resource guides which note state programs, government agencies, and tools that ass...
The Rosen JCC knows how busy parents are with their children and are always looking for ways to help parents with their childcare needs. When Orange County Public Schools close, it can be difficult for families who still need childcare. The JCC offers School Out Days. Kids can be dropped off at 9 a.m. and picked up at 4 p.m. (extended hours are available). Kids get a day of games and fun activities. This month OCPS will be closed on Monday, Oct. 16 and Friday, Oct. 27. To learn more and register for School Out Days visit www.rosenjcc.org/sod....
(JNS) - The Hamas gunman aimed his rifle at the elderly couple in their home in Ofakim, southern Israel, early Saturday morning. He held a grenade on Rachel Edri's head, began screaming "Allah Akbar" and announced he was a "martyr." But Edri maintained her composure. Thinking quickly, she offered the group of five terrorists refreshments, and later a meal, engaging them in small talk, playing for time until security personnel could arrive. For the next 20 hours, Rachel and her husband, David,...
(JNS) — The Harvard Divinity School student group Jews for Liberation doesn’t mince words in its description on the school’s site. The group “offers warm, creative spiritual and political space for anti-Zionist and non-Zionist Jews, as well as Jews questioning their relationship with Zionism,” it states. Student groups must register annually with the school’s Office of Student Life, which “prioritizes anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices” and “reflects the rich diversity and plurality of our community,” but evidently doesn’t consider av...
On Sunday, Oct. 1, a Sukkot Wine and Whiskey Party brought together a blend of guests at Oakmonte Village, creating a harmonious blend of culture, music, and camaraderie. With music by accomplished violinist, Adam Mendelsohn, this festive gathering proved to be a delightful celebration of Sukkot. The event, organized by the Jewish Pavilion, was attended by 50 senior residents of Oakmonte Village and 20 board members from both the Jewish Pavilion and the Legacy Committee. The gathering was a...
(JTA) - One, just out of the army, told his dad "I love you" and "I'm sorry" then went quiet. One who just joined the army has no family nearby, so a stranger is keeping him company in the hospital. One was a peace activist. These are some of the stories beginning to emerge as Israel strives to identify the hundreds of people who are dead and dozens who are missing after Saturday's attack on southern Israel by Hamas. There are no figures yet on the number of North Americans killed or abducted...
(JNS) - In the days after Senator Dianne Feinstein's death, the California political community's attention has been divided between commemorating Feinstein's remarkable career and speculating about who Governor Gavin Newsom would appoint as her replacement. The mourning had not yet concluded on Sunday night when word of Newsom's selection of former union leader and Democratic fundraiser Laphonza Butler as the state's new senator became public. But in all the commotion, an obscure but critically...
(JNS) — As Israel entered its third day of war with Hamas, an Israeli official denied it was negotiating for the release of hostages held by the terror group via Qatar. “There is no negotiation,” an Israeli official said, according to The Times of Israel, disavowing the claim of a Hamas source to the contary. Qatari mediators have been trying to negotiate the freedom of Israeli women and children in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israel’s prisons, Reuters reported on Monday. The negotiations, conduct...
