Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 2226 - 2250 of 4386
About Sephardic Jews... My late spouse was Sephardic. His ancestry dates all the way back to Barcelona, Spain, and his family spoke Ladino (Spanish). This article from the World Jewish Congress digest caught my eye: "The World Jewish Congress welcomed a recent agreement between Spain's Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, aimed at combating anti-Semitism through education. FCJE is the representative body of the Spanish Jewish community and... Full story
(JNS)-With city lights dotting the night behind her, Dr. Dee Gaines, a neuropsychologist, sat for good reason-she's very pregnant. But when Capt. Elgen Long, the last surviving member of a commercial flight crew that saved nearly 2,000 Jewish refugees stranded in Yemen almost 70 years ago, finished his speech, she felt compelled to stand. Her voice shook with emotion behind a microphone handed to her. "My great-grandmother and my grandmother were on those planes. In Yemen, they couldn't read.... Full story
JERUSALEM (JTA)-In another life, Kobi Frig would have been sitting behind vats of spices in Jerusalem's bustling, labyrinthine Mahane Yehuda market, hawking paprika, zaatar and cinnamon like his grandfather and father did before him Instead, Frig obeyed his father's wishes, went to college, and started a chain of events that transformed the market and led to the closure of his family's shop. He became a community activist, organizing art and music fairs in the market that opened it up to a... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-Limonana is a classic Israeli drink that combines freshly squeezed lemon juice and mint leaves for a unique Israeli-style lemonade treat that's beloved throughout the country. Limonana is a combination of the Hebrew and Arabic words "limon" and "nana," which mean lemon and mint, respectively. While the drink may have originated elsewhere in the Middle East, it's an Israeli advertising agency that provided the catchy portmanteau of a name in the 1990s. In an attempt to get... Full story
(JNS)—At a recent graduation of Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, novelist Michael Chabon berated the Jewish community of Hebron: “I abhor an enclave, too, a gated community, a restricted country club, or a clutch of 800 zealots lodged in illusory safety behind a wall made from the bodies of teenage soldiers, gazing out in scorn and lordly alarm at the surrounding 200,000 residents of the city of Hebron,” he said. So, here are a few points to consider in answering Chabon: While today Hebron Jews number only 800, consider that together with o... Full story
(JTA)-For nearly half a century, Elaine Holstein was periodically confronted with one of the most haunting images in modern American history: the bone-chilling picture of Kent State University student Jeffrey Miller lying on the pavement seconds after being fatally shot in the mouth by an Ohio National Guardsman during an anti-war protest. Photographer John Filo later said, "The volume of blood that was flowing from his body was as if someone tipped over a bucket." And, of course, there was the... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-Babka is an Eastern European yeasted cake with deep Jewish roots and also great American popularity. One of babka's most notorious moments was in an episode of "Seinfeld": Jerry and Elaine head to Royal Bakery to pick up babka for a dinner party, and when there is no more chocolate babka, they are somewhat devastated to be forced to bring cinnamon, "the lesser babka." Meanwhile, babka has been experiencing quite a resurgence in the past few years since the launch of Breads... Full story
Important to every Jew, every lover of Israel... I received this letter from the World Jewish Congress. I pass it along (with my personal comments): "Israel must continue to thrive, now and always. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel, and marvel at its remarkable and inspiring achievements (in medicine, science, etc.), this is the solemn commitment that we embody in both our thoughts and our actions. Israel is the only Jewish state. It is a... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-I first fell in love with adjaruli khatchapuri, also known as Georgian cheese bread or cheese boat, at Marani Restaurant in Queens, New York. This cheesy-carby deliciousness is basically all the comfort food you could possibly crave in one single dish: cheese, runny egg yolk and butter, all being held by homemade bread. Khatchapuri and khinkali, a dumpling most often stuffed with meat and spices, are two of Georgia's most recognizable dishes (and yes, I am talking about the... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-Walking into Marvin Goldman's apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side is like entering a museum dedicated to El Al, Israel's national airline. In one room, shelves and tables display scale models of El Al's earliest aircraft, and its most modern. Elsewhere are flight bags, china, pens, ashtrays, desk flags and other collectibles bearing the El Al logo that Goldman has acquired over the past 40 years. In a large walk-in closet are neatly hung uniforms and caps worn by flight... Full story
(JTA)-When Aviva Schwartz started praying publicly for Palestinians at her Jewish summer camp, she knew it would be controversial. Schwartz had grown up ensconced in the Conservative movement, had attended three of its Ramah camps and had moved up the ranks as a staff member at Ramah Wisconsin. When Israel's war in Gaza broke out in the summer of 2014, she was the unit head for incoming seventh-graders, a position reserved for staff veterans. She was also a college student who, after a lifetime... Full story
By Pamela Ruben How far would you go to help a worthy cause? So far, no distance is too great for Orlando real estate attorney Andy Reiff. Over the past 26 years, Reiff has logged over 4,000 miles on his 26-year-old Trek 2100 racing bike, raising over $100,000 to help improve the lives of those stricken with chronic diseases, like multiple sclerosis and diabetes. For more than a quarter of a century, the 59-year-old biking enthusiast has participated in "Bike MS: The Citrus Tour," which raises... Full story
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Now beginning its second decade, the Schusterman Visiting Israeli Artists Program will bring 10 prominent Israeli artists for residencies at top universities across the United States for the 2018-2019 academic year. The University of Central Florida is one of the 10. Among the artists are Taiseer Elias, the leading figure in classical Arab music in Israel, and Moshe Zonder, the head writer for the popular television series, Fauda. Coming to UCF is Meital Raz, from Jan. 2, 2019... Full story
Melvin Weissman didn't have to fight in World War II. As a machinist for an essential industry, he needed permission from his company to even enlist. He was first rejected by the army as he had flat feet. But the 22-year-old was determined to fight for his county. Undeterred, Melvin, along with several of his friends, tried to enlist in the United States Army Air Corp. This time, he was accepted, flat feet and all. When he said good-bye to his family, Weissman was overcome with emotion. "I knew... Full story
George Braunstein is a member of a storied group whose numbers dwindle as each Memorial Day passes: Jewish American veterans of World War II. As he approaches his 95th birthday, the Kinneret resident is proud to have been one of the interview subjects of the recent documentary "G.I. Jews," which aired on PBS in April. Although his interview was not included in the final documentary, it was used as a promotional teaser and can be found on YouTube. A frequent and lively participant in Jewish... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-These bourekas are a mix of New York Jewish and Middle Eastern Israeli food cultures. It sounds a little crazy, but it's incredibly good: The flavorful seasoning blend, slightly sweet from the dried onion and garlic, balances out the salty, briny feta interior, and the cream and cottage cheese in the filling. A little bit of spinach, a personal must for me in cheese bourekas, adds color and flavor. Best part? These bourekas, made with store-bought puff pastry, are... Full story
I never met Mitchell "Mike" Flint, but before I had even heard of him, I knew about him and his legendary sense of being on the right side of history in the establishment of the State of Israel. When I read about Mitchell, Jewish and Israeli newspapers were filled with accounts of his life in obituaries that heaped praise on his heroism, and that of others like him. There's a Jewish tradition to comfort the mourning surviving family members of one who dies and I was able to connect with one of... Full story
Finally, some justice... I read this in a current issue of the World Jewish Congress digest and pass it along: "Polish Deputy Prime Minister PIOTR GHLINSKI has personally informed the WJC that the Polish government will invest 100 million zloty ($28 million USD) to restore the Warsaw Jewish Cemetery. Glinski relayed the decision to WJC CEO and Executive Vice President, ROBERT SINGER, during a special meeting at the cemetery itself in mid-December. Singer travelled to Warsaw as part of a... Full story
In the spirit of Philip Roth's The Plot Against America and Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay comes this meticulously-crafted novel, "My Mother's Son" by David Hirshberg (Fig Tree Books LLC). The story is told by a radio raconteur revisiting his past in post-World War II Boston, the playground and battleground for two brothers whose lives are transformed by discoveries they never could have imagined. From the opening line of the book, "When you're a kid, they don't... Full story
How far does bashert extend? Does it reach beyond the grave? And if so, would you recognize your soul's complement in another? Beyond the bliss of actually finding your soul mate, there is a belief that the universe hinges on predetermined people finding their other half, their bashert, to maintain cosmic balance. In "Bashert" author, screenwriter, director and former rabbi Herb Freed immerses us in the heady intoxication and thunderous losses of what it really means to be bashert. Dan Sobol... Full story
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, and Andre Dobson, PE coach at Faith Christian Academy in east Orlando, have a lot in common. They both are passionate about football and love Israel. To be able to combine the two is the icing on the cake for both men. And they have their icing: Kraft sponsors the Israel Football League and built the only football stadium in Jerusalem, Israel, and Dobson is going to be training one of the League's coaches this summer. This is where Dobson needs... Full story
Whether living independently or with assistance, elders often experience social issues and anxiety. Here are just a few examples of what they may be feeling: • Loneliness from losing a spouse and friends. • Inability to independently manage the regular activities of living. • Difficulty coping with the physical changes of aging. • Frustration with ongoing medical problems. • Feeling inadequate from the inability to continue to work. You can offer to help them handle these feelings in several ways: • Plan a small trip with your loved one.... Full story
On March 28, 1956, nine-year-old Steven Mattis sat mesmerized in his living room in Philadelphia as Kraft Theater's adaptation of "A Night to Remember" unfolded. Based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Walter Lord, the one-hour television production told the story of the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. At first enthralled by the beautiful ship, the glamour of the first-class passengers, and the contrast to the third-class passengers' circumstances, Mattis' fascination turned to horror... Full story
I am so upset... What kind of White House do we have? What's with our 45th? What is happening to Congress? (Well, maybe I won't be alive much longer to care, but my children and grandchildren hopefully will be). Who ever made that remark about Senator JOHN McCAIN "dying anyway" should be fired! John McCain is what America is all about... (or should be about.) He has served our country honorably, I trust every word he says. He's not a liar! He tries to do the right thing for all of us, even if... Full story
The Kinneret Council on Aging, a nonprofit agency that provides ongoing programs and services to residents of Kinneret Apartments, recently celebrated the 100th birthday of resident Ruth Salzman. Born Ruth Bornstein in Paterson, New Jersey, on April 11, 1918, Ruth reached the 100 years old milestone, and she celebrated with family and friends at Kinneret. She has been a resident of Kinneret since 2001, which was founded by cousins Jerry Bornstein and Flossie Gluckman. Ruth along with her husband... Full story
