Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 2001 - 2025 of 4419
(JTA)-Alex Bregman has agreed to a six-year, $100 million contract with the Houston Astros-one of the largest deals ever for a professional Jewish athlete. Bregman, who turns 25 at the end of the month, has established himself as one of Major League Baseball's top players. Last year he finished fifth in the American League's Most Valuable Player voting following a season of 31 home runs, 103 runs batted in and a league-best 51 doubles. He also was named the All-Star Game's MVP. The only Jewish a... Full story
Review by Eleanor Bukowsky, librarian In her delightful picture book, “Creation Colors,” writer and illustrator Ann D. Koffsky reimagines the story of creation from an artist’s perspective. At first, the world was bleak and devoid of color. During the six days in which God created the oceans, trees, grass, moon, sun, stars, animals, and people, a variety of colors appeared that enhanced the earth’s beauty. Koffsky’s illustrations are eye-catching. On day three, lush greenery gladdens the heart; on day four, the sky is alight with a gorgeous... Full story
Enough nightmares... (Honestly, if it wasn’t for my children, my grandchildren, and someday, their children, I wouldn’t be so upset, because how much longer do I have on this earth? But I must worry about the hate that is returning... and also the rise of “white supremacists.”) One of the safest countries in the world has always been New Zealand. They are also allies with us. Recently, 50 people (including children) were killed while praying in two mosques. Their murderers were white suprema... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion celebrated Purim in over 50 senior communities including Brookdale Dr. Phillips. All festivities included a Purim spiel, hamantashen and music. Special thanks to the Orlando Torah Center and the Orlando Torah Academy for bringing the cutest children ever to celebrate Purim with their elders at Brookdale Dr. Phillips. More than 20 children came in costume and sang and danced with their residents. The seniors especially enjoyed cooing over the babies and hugging the little ones.... Full story
HOF HACARMEL, Israel (JTA)-Few non-Jews and even fewer British soldiers are regarded as highly in Israel as Orde Charles Wingate, a senior officer who became a legend here by shaping Israel's pre-state military. Many Israeli towns have a Wingate street or square, and relatives and others who share his name are often reminded of Israel's debt to him. "I had recognized him as a man of genius, and I hoped he might become a man of destiny," British Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrote to Lorna... Full story
Each year, Susan Bernstein, Jewish Pavilion program director, travels to Guatemala to visit with Mayan women artisans who have been trained to use their skills in weaving, beading, and crocheting to produce beautiful Judaic products that include kippot, tallitot, challah covers, and mezuzah cases. Fair Trade Values closely match Jewish ethics, making it a logical partnership for Bernstein, who sees her work with the Jewish Pavilion as a way to connect with Jewish residents in the Orlando area... Full story
PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain (JTA)-On this island south of Barcelona, Jews celebrate Purim these days pretty much as they do most anywhere else in Europe. There's the reading of the Book of Esther at the small synagogue near the marina, followed by a costume party bringing together the different contingents of Palma's Jewish population of several hundred: unaffiliated Israeli families, retired British sun lovers, Sephardic locals and French businessmen, to name a few. But only 50 years ago, Purim wa... Full story
Climate change?... I received a report from the Environmental Defense Fund recently. It said in large red letters, “WE ARE A PLANET IN DANGER! I pass it on to you: “United Nation Secretary-General, ANTONIO GUTERRES said,’ This report by the world’s leading climate scientists is an ear-splitting wake-up call to the world. It confirms that climate change is running faster than we are, and we are running out of time.’ And EDF president FRED KRUPP said, ‘No single entity can mitigate climate change. We must build a global set of partnership... Full story
(JTA)-Though he may be one of France's best-known puppet makers, Michel Nedjar insists he does not really create the acclaimed and haunting figures that he calls his "Purim puppets." A former tailor's apprentice whose life's work last week went on display at the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Lille, Nedjar says he merely "exhumes" his puppets to reconnect to his brethren who were murdered in the Holocaust, to his lover and mentor who died of AIDS - and to his Jewish roots. The talk of... Full story
(JTA)—Every year before Purim, my inbox and social media fill up with dire exhortations from rabbis and yeshivas warning against the dangers of celebratory excess—as if drunkenness on the holiday were something new. In reality, the after-Purim regrets have been part of the discourse ever since Rabbah drunkenly attacked and inadvertently killed his dear friend Rabbi Zeira in the Talmud (don’t worry—he was revived in the end). Rabbis and communal leaders across the religious spectrum have condemned drunken revelry on a holiday dedicated to exce... Full story
(JNS)-In each episode of "Bubbies Know Best," which premiered Feb. 11 on JLTV, S.J. Mendelson, Linda Rich, and Bunny Gibson interview three potential suitors before picking one to go on a date with their bachelor or bachelorette. The bubbies then watch them-with the help of a live camera-go on a date and afterwards give pointers on what the daters did right and wrong. The Los Angeles-based grandmothers set up singles of all ages, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and sexual preferences. One episode... Full story
When Dr. Liz Ross joins her fellow women congregants at Congregation Shalom Aleichem on the bima for the blessing over the candles, she pulls the hood of her kuspuk, her traditional Native Alaskan snow dress, over her head. And on her neck, her gold Star of David catches the light of the flickering flames. A business woman, a college professor, and a black belt in karate, Ross also carries with her the love and respect of her double heritage: Judaism and Native Alaskan. Ross will share her knowledge at Congregation Shalom Aleichem in her talk... Full story
Shocking new levels of anti-Semitism... A recent FBI report showed that hate crimes against American Jews rose by 37 percent in 2017. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights released a comprehensive report on discrimination and hate crimes against Jews in the EU, finding that 9 out of 10 European Jews believe that anti-Semitism is getting worse. According to a study commissioned by the World Jewish Congress, an anti-Semitic message is posted to social media every 83 seconds. In 2018 alo... Full story
Every single week, all winter long, many fathers and sons had a unique opportunity to spend special time together. About one hour after Shabbat every Saturday night, Orlando Torah Center together with I Am Jewish provided an enjoyable venue for Jewish learning, pizza, ice cream and prizes. Fathers could choose to study any Jewish topic with their sons, or take advantage of the weekly Jewish story handouts provided. As the winter season drew to a close, the season ended with a fun late night... Full story
SpaceIL and Israel Aerospace Industries shared today that Beresheet's camera took a selfie photo for the first time, from a distance of 37,600 km (23363.5 miles) from Earth. The spacecraft transmitted the photo to the control room in Yehud, Israel, which is staffed 24/7 by SpaceIL and IAI engineers. In the photo of Earth, taken during a slow spin of the spacecraft, Australia is clearly visible. Also seen is the plaque installed on the spacecraft, with the Israeli flag and the inscriptions "Am... Full story
Thousands of teens from around the world celebrated Jewish unity, heritage, and pride at the 11th annual CTeen International Shabbaton. The convention, which drew in over 2600 participants, was the most electrifying and meaningful event to date. From world class guest speakers, to a life changing closing ceremony with a surprise guest appearance by Adam Neumann, founder of WeWork, CTeen left the teens exhilarated and ready to share their Jewish pride with the world. The inspirational weekend... Full story
(JNS)-Israeli government officials congratulated Israeli director Guy Nattiv for winning the Academy Award for Live Action Short Film on Sunday-the first Israeli Oscar in 41 years. "Skin," a 20-minute movie, focuses on hate crimes and their impact on a skinhead and two young children, one black and one white. The elated Nattiv ascended the stage to accept his award, telling attendees that "I moved here five years ago from Israel," adding "Lila Tov, Yisrael!" (Goodnight, Israel!). "My... Full story
When "Green Book" won the Academy Award for best movie, arguably the most coveted prize of the ceremony, "BlacKkKlansman" and "Do The Right Thing" director Spike Lee stormed to the back of the auditorium and kept his back turned for the entire speech. The gesture culminated a great controversy around the movie, which has been sweeping the awards this season despite some heavy consternation. "Green Book" has been accused of having a white savior complex, whitewashing racism and being inaccurate... Full story
Owned by Renee Friedman-Goldstein, FASTSIGNS of Orlando-Central, now entering its 33rd year as a business, was recently recognized at the 2019 FASTSIGNS International Convention for various achievements. FASTSIGNS of Orlando-Central received the CEO Circle Award for the third consecutive year, which recognizes the top 25 centers with the highest sales volume in the U.S. and Canada between Oct. 1, 2017 and Sept. 30, 2018. They also received a Mentor Recognition Award, which recognizes a seasoned... Full story
Growing alarm... I recently heard from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and pass their message along to you: "You and I have watched with growing alarm as Israel has been targeted by Hamas with a new wave of terrorist attacks, including not only missiles, but also mass riots. Civilians, co-mingled with Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, have repeatedly tried to breach Israel's international border, with the goal of killing Jews in adjacent areas. Outrageously, the UN Relief and Works Agency even... Full story
This article originally appeared on The Nosher. Roasting vegetables is one of the easiest ways to prepare vegetables, not to mention the most delicious. Roasting at a high heat caramelizes veggies, creating such an amazing depth of flavor and natural sweetness that I find completely addictive. For these pomegranate roasted carrots with sumac, I coat the carrots in pomegranate molasses before roasting. Pomegranate molasses is a really common ingredient used in Middle Eastern kitchens, and is basically concentrated, reduced pomegranate juice... Full story
Schnitzel is one of the ultimate comfort foods. It’s hard not to like a food that is fried and golden brown. Schnitzel is commonly made from chicken or veal, but you’ll also find vegetarian versions made from celery root or, in this case, cabbage. Any recipe for schnitzel always catches my eye, and I’ve often come across cabbage schnitzel in Russian and Eastern European cooking. Meat in that part of the world could be scarce, and cooks came up with creative solutions for making vegetables taste richer. Cabbage also often was one of the only... Full story
Pink pickled turnips are a fixture of Middle Eastern cuisine, and it’s hard to find a restaurant shawarma plate without them. Their rose-like magenta color makes you forget that these pickles are in fact made from an often overlooked root vegetable. Their seemingly unnatural pink color is not a result of synthetic food colorings, but comes from the addition of red beets that impart their deep-hued color to the white-fleshed turnips as they ferment. Turnips have a sharp mustardy flavor that is similar in pungency to a radish, and that becomes me... Full story
ORLANDO (JTA)-He's not just a student at the University of Central Florida, he is the student president. Growing up, Josh Boloña was just like a lot of kids in South Florida: He was a Latino immigrant, from Ecuador, in an area with a lot of Latino immigrants. He was a Jewish kid in an area with many Jews. He was a soccer player in a place where plenty of kids played soccer. Then he tried to get his driver's permit. Boloña had an inkling a year earlier that his immigration status was c... Full story
Actor Hal Linden (of "Barny Miller" fame) has never been to Orlando, but he has been all up and down the east coast of Florida as the national spokesman for the Jewish National Fund, a position he has held since 1997. He came into the world with a father who was a Zionist before World War I. He remembers always putting nickels and dimes into the JNF Blue Box as a kid, but didn't really grasp his father's passion at that time. He also stars in the film "The Samuel Project," which opens today in... Full story
