Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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(JTA) — It’s not just “yiddo.” The Oxford English Dictionary has just added a slew of Jewish-themed and Yiddish terms, some of which are sure to offend. The venerable institution’s list of new entries for January 2020 contains dozens of items with Jewish content, from “bialy” to “Jewfro” to “yeshiva bochur.” Responding to debate this week about the inclusion of yiddo, a term for fans of the British Tottenham Hotspurs soccer club that borrows from a derogatory term for Jewish people, the dictionary’s compilers said they judge proposed addition... Full story
(JTA)—When Adam Sandler was shut out of this year’s Academy Award nominations for “Uncut Gems,” the Oscars lost out on the chance to have an acceptance speech as hilarious as the one Sandler delivered Saturday at the Independent Film Spirit Awards. But this year’s Oscars had some pretty wonderful Jewish moments nonetheless. Here’s a roundup. Maori Jewish director, writer and actor Taika Waititi had a big moment Waititi, 44, took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Jojo Rabbit,” his first Oscar win and the first ever by an Indigenou... Full story
(JNS)—Restoration of the National Library of Israel’s renowned Moskowitz Mahzor has been completed with the manuscript online for the first time. It was created on parchment in the 15th century by Joel ben Simeon, considered by many to be the most important Jewish artist of the Middle Ages. Ben Simeon was a scribe and illuminator active in Germany and Northern Italy. The manuscript is considered exceptional due to the illustrations and illuminations found throughout, including images of rab... Full story
We need protection!... I heard from the ADL and pass it along: "The end of year explosion of anti-Semitic violence in New York and New Jersey is cause for deep concern. A couple of months ago (mid-December), a chilling attack at a Kosher supermarket in Jersey City resulted in the deaths of three civilians and a police officer. Then, ADL documented 10 more incidents targeting Jews in the area, all occurring during the eight days of Chanukah, including the vicious stabbings at a Chanukah... Full story
In the past 100 years, there has been an ongoing conflict between Jews and Arabs who claim the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, each as their national homeland. With the creation of the State of Israel this deepened into decades of violent conflict and often all-out war. For the Jewish people Israel was the fulfillment of their need for a sovereign Jewish State and the end of 2000 years of exile and they prepared themselves by all means to fight to preserve this home.... Full story
(JTA)-In 2012, the first year that Ben Zauzmer made Oscar predictions based on mathematical modeling, he received an email from a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body that chooses the winners. Zauzmer was wrong to predict that the silent French film "The Artist" would win best picture, the member said-he and some of his friends in the Academy had heard that "Hugo," Martin Scorsese's steampunk adventure flick, had a better chance. Zauzmer "politely thanked him for... Full story
With the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win on Sunday, its Jewish lineman Mitchell Schwartz is shining as bright as the giant menorah he lights each Chanukah at Kansas City's Chabad House. "He's very comfortable in his Judaism," Rabbi Mendy Wineberg, co-director with his wife, Devory, of Chabad of Leawood, just outside of Kansas City, told Chabad.org. "The first year he came to our menorah-lighting, I offered him a sheet with the blessings. He replied, 'I don't need that,' and proceeded to say... Full story
Never, ever forget... "Atrocious" isn't a harsh enough word to describe the Holocaust! I read the following recently and pass it along to you: "In his remarks at the opening back in October, PROKOPIOS PAVLOPOULOS, president of the Hellenic Republic, noted that at a time when admirers of Nazism and fascism are emerging again in Europe, the need to remember that the Holocaust was the most atrocious crime against humanity is critical. President Pavlopoulos highlighted the need to remember, for the... Full story
(JNS)-Film director Quentin Tarantino spoke to Yediot Achronot in a full-length interview published last week about his new "wonderful" life in Israel with his wife, Israeli singer and model Daniella Pick, who is pregnant with their first child. The "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" director told the publication, "Really, my life here [in Israel] is so wonderful." He said he has some "short trips" back to the United States planned for the Oscars awards ceremony, but his family will be in... Full story
The 2010s saw chickpeas rise to fame in the manner that God always intended. The king of chickpea dishes, hummus, turned from a hippy health food to a fridge staple. This was great in terms of accessibility, but not so great for preserving the authenticity of the dish. I've said it once, I'll say it a thousand times: Hummus is not a catch-all term for dip. It means "chickpea" in Arabic, so if a product contains little-to-no chickpeas and too many other funky ingredients (edamame, pumpkin, and... Full story
If I'm hosting brunch, it's a pretty sure bet that I'll make shakshuka. Saucy, spicy and runny with egg, it's a universally beloved dish that, to its credit (and my eternal disappointment), never yields leftovers when I make it, a sure testament to its popularity. I make my regular shakshuka with fresh tomatoes and peppers, which leaves me in somewhat of a bind come wintertime, when neither are in season. Rather than use canned vegetables (they have their place; shakshuka is not it) I've... Full story
Americans don't have nearly the appreciation that Israelis do for quiche. In the States, it's an unimaginative brunch addition that never really shines. But in Israel, it's the star of many lunch tables and an incredible dairy dinner. Not to mention Shavuot, which could literally be called the "quiche holiday." So what makes this Israeli-style quiche, known as a pashtida, so different than what you find elsewhere? First, the filling is far more creamy rather than eggy. A combination of three... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)-The three-week exhibition at the National Archives showcased documents, video and a marquee sponsor, announced in large font on the banner at the National Archives: "This exhibit is paid for in part by the National Archives Foundation through the general support of the Ford Motor Company Fund." What the small exhibit marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz lacked was any mention of Ford's role in building the Nazi machine. American Ford retained majority... Full story
Combating hate?... I read this recently in the World Jewish Congress digest and pass it along: "WJC President Ambassador RONALD S. LAUDER delivered the keynote address at a recent event at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, an institution of the Holy Sea. "Human fraternity: a Jewish reflection for common coexistence brought together lead figures within the Catholic church, Jewish community officials, and members of the diplomatic community to encourage and foster dialogue between the... Full story
I grew up with Pink. Her first two albums, "Can't Take Me Home" and "Missundaztood," came out during bat mitzvah season for me, and it was her songs that truly got the party started. Yes, they were catchy, but they were also vulnerable, wise and incredibly relatable. In "Family Portrait," for example, she tackled divorce, and "Don't Let Me Get Me" channeled so much of the angst and self-loathing I felt as a teen. Even in those early albums, Pink was derisive and dismissive of her looks. "Tired... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" didn't add to its large collection of awards at the Golden Globes this year. But the third season of the celebrated series, now streaming on Amazon Prime, is keeping audiences hooked as it expands the world of Midge Maisel. It also comes at a time of increasing awareness and discussion about how minorities-especially Jews, during this period of rising anti-Semitism across the U.S.-are portrayed on screen. As one of the most Jewish series currently on... Full story
Very minor spoilers ahead for “The Irishman”—but nothing big, we promise. (JTA)—“The Irishman,” Martin Scorsese’s latest organized crime epic, became streamable on Netflix last week. Even if the significant digital de-aging of the actors involved is a bit distracting, the film’s good reviews hold up thanks in large part to its legendary director and cast—Scorsese and none other than Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino. Making a very brief appearance in the mafia madness? Jewish mobsters. The 3 1/2-hour story follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro)... Full story
ODESSA, Ukraine (JTA)-As an Orthodox Jew, Aryeh Rov had little interest in this port city's rich and vibrant bar scene. For one thing, most drinks served in Odessa's bars are not kosher, limiting his choice to a handful of certified brands. He also usually doesn't feel "at ease" at a bar. "A person wearing a kippah just stands out in places like that. Certainly an Orthodox Jewish couple," said Rov, who is 40 and married. But that changed in August, when Rov attended the opening of Kosher Bar,... Full story
Join the Orlando Israeli American Council in partnership with Temple Israel, the Jewish National Fund, Alexander Muss High School in Israel, and Friends of Israel Scouts, Inc. Tzofim, for a Shishi Israeli Tu Bishvat Seder on Friday, Feb. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Temple Israel, 50 South Moss Road in Winter Springs. Tu Bishvat reminds Jews of our connection to the earth and our responsibility to be caretakers of our planet. This special event includes a full Israeli dinner of Moroccan-style fish,... Full story
(JTA)-Terry Jones, one of the core members of the Monty Python comedy troupe, died Tuesday night at 77. He had been suffering from dementia. In addition to starring in numerous Python productions, the beloved comedian directed some of the group's biggest films, including "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "The Meaning of Life" and "Life of Brian." The last of those tells the story of a Jewish man named Brian Cohen, who is born on the same day as and subsequently mistaken for Jesus Christ. At... Full story
During 2019, Keith Dvorchik, CEO of The Roth Family JCC and executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, and Aaron Weil, executive director and CEO of Central Florida Hillel, stepped out of their comfort zones and participated in an Encounter trip to the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). This was Weil's second trip, first as a participant in 2017 and this time as a facilitator. As Encounter explains on its website, this program is an intensive experience in which Jewish leaders... Full story
I love dogs... (But I don't know about this.) I read it recently in the WJC Digest and pass it along: "Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive chemical produced by the cannabis plant (marijuana) that has been shown to help alleviate human health issues like inflammation, anxiety, nausea, skin conditions, arthritis and joint pain. (So what has this got to do with animals, you ask?) As reported by "No Camels," ITAY BEN-MORDECHAI, head of innovation at Tel Aviv based Weedley, a leader in the... Full story
(JTA)-The latest episode of PBS' celebrity genealogy show "Finding Your Roots" was a lesson in Jewish history. Titled "Beyond the Pale"-a reference to the Pale of Settlement, the region of what was then Imperial Russia where many Ashkenazi Jews have roots-the episode that aired Tuesday night explored the family trees of actor Jeff Goldblum, NPR host Terry Gross and comedian Marc Maron. As host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explained, each of them has "deep Jewish roots," but they all knew next to... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-Philissa Cramer, a co-founder and editor at large of the award-winning education news organization Chalkbeat, has been named editor in chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Cramer comes to JTA after 11 years at Chalkbeat, an independent journalism nonprofit covering American education with bureaus in seven locations. She was a co-founder of Chalkbeat's predecessor, GothamSchools, and served as bureau chief of the site's New York bureau; managed editors and reporters across the... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—A decade ago, in a speech in Cairo addressing the Islamic world, President Barack Obama issued a call to understand Israel’s importance in the context of the Holocaust—and it started a political firestorm in the world of Jewish politics. Not so this week. A nonbinding resolution on Holocaust education introduced recently by three Republican lawmakers essentially echoes Obama’s call, but it has barely evinced a peep. Why the differing reactions? First, people tend to pay more attention to the leader of the free world making... Full story
