Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 4432
(JNS) — An extraordinary moment unfolded the evening of May 26 in Washington when Gene Simmons, the 75-year-old frontman for legendary rock band KISS, encountered Harold “Hal” Urban, a 100-year-old World War II veteran who participated in the liberation of the concentration camp where Simmons’ mother was imprisoned as a teenager. Urban’s memories of liberating Mauthausen remain vivid and traumatic even at age 100. He described the overwhelming stench of burning human remains, emaciated prisoners stumbling in confusion and terror and the psych...
(JNS)- Former Hamas hostage Agam Berger told French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during a meeting in France that Israel has no choice but to fight the terrorist group. "As soon as there is a war of survival over our land, that's what we will do. They don't want 'togetherness,'" said Berger, referring to Hamas. "Diplomatic solutions won't work because it's either us or them," she added. Berger, 20, an Israel Defense Forces field observer, was released from Gaza on Jan. 30 after 482 days in...
(JNS) - The Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund released a new collection of rare archival photos that capture Shavuot celebrations predating the modern State of Israel during the 1930s and 1940s. The photographs "are far more than historical documentation - they tell the story of the renewal of the Jewish people in their land," said Ifat Ovadia-Luski, chairwoman of KKL-JNF. "These are powerful moments of pride and joy that illustrate how an ancient custom was revived and brought to l...
(JNS) — Paramount+ and MTV Documentary Films told JNS exclusively on Tuesday that they plan to expand access to Montana Tucker’s documentary “The Children of October 7” on a global basis starting on June 2, the first day of Shavuot. The 36-minute film will be available in all of the areas where Paramount+ is accessible: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latin America, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. “In this documentary, Montana Tucker shined a light on the stories of devastation children experienced on Oct....
(JNS) - On May 19, two weeks before the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, celebrity chef and cookbook author Jamie Geller, who now serves as the spokesperson and chief communications officer of the Jewish educational organization, Aish, set out with her team - including the writer of this article - to taste and rate some of the best cheesecakes in Jerusalem. Jerusalem has a plethora of bakeries, each with its unique style of cheesecake presentation. "We aimed to sample as wide a variety of different...
Some stories must be told, to remember that even in the darkest moments there is hope. On the right in the above photo, is Yuval Raphael, a 24-year-old Israeli woman. When Hamas attacked the Nova music festival in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Yuval Raphael went from dancing with friends to hiding in a bomb shelter, pictured on the left. Yuval, speaking with her father thought she was going to die, he told her hang up and to play dead and she would survive. So after the attackers broke into the...
(JNS) - At the time of the Temple in Jerusalem, a dozen loaves of bread representing the 12 Tribes of Israel, called "Showbread," were presented by priests on a special table every Shabbat as an offering to God. Eliezer Meir Seidel, an expert baker and owner of the Showbread Institute in Karnei Shomron, is proud that he can now produce the special 12 loaves of "wonder bread" displayed weekly in the Temple. From the musical instruments of the Levites to the unique spice mix of the holy incense,...
(JNS) - The Auschwitz Memorial, together with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation and leading figures from the European film industry, announced at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15 the launch of a 1:1 digital replica of the German concentration and extermination camp available for filmmakers. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Virtual Film Location harnesses 3D-scanning technologies to preserve and protect the site's historical integrity, while offering filmmakers a revolutionary tool rooted in accuracy...
SUGAR LAND, Texas – The distance from Constellation Field, home of the Triple-A minor league Space Cowboys, to Daikin Park, where the major league Houston Astros play, is 20 miles. It’s a 27-minute drive. It took Colton Gordon two years to make the trip. Gordon, a 26-year-old left-handed Jewish pitcher, was named to the American Athletic Conference’s all-academic team while attending the University of Central Florida. He was drafted from UCF in the 8th round, in 2021, and started playing with the Space Cowboys in 2023. He helped his team win t...
A special time of global prayer for Israel will be Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 9 p.m. Israel time; 8 p.m. S. Africa & Central Europe; 7 p.m. UK; 2 p.m. Eastern and 11 a.m. Pacific U.S. time. After over 600 days of war since the October 7 Hamas massacre, with concerns of imposing a ceasefire on Israel without all the hostages released, near daily missile attacks on Israel from the Houthis, and a deal being negotiated with Iran that may leave its ability to create a nuclear weapon intact, it’s essential that we unite urgently, globally, to pray t... Full story
This quick dinner can be prepared in 20 minutes to serve four. 4 four-six ounce cod fillets, 1/2 thick, fresh or defrosted* Buttered flavored or traditional vegetable spray 2 tsp. dried thyme 2 tsp. paprika Aluminum foil 1 tsp. low sodium vegetable broth crystals or 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. fresh black pepper This recipe can be prepared with any white fish, sea bass, orange rugby, or tilapia. Spray a piece of foil or parchment paper with vegetable spray on a baking sheet with sides. Place the...
Today, more and more American families are involved in the care of their loved ones. Often, that creates a change in family dynamics, routines, reassigning roles, economic hardships and demands on adult time and emotional stress for all family members involved. The changes taking place can be threatening for children. Change creates loss, and loss creates grief. A grieving child needs reassurance that he or she will be cared for and is loved. It is extremely important to listen to your child verbalize their fears, anger, confusion and doubts....
(JNS) - Everyone's heard of the king of beers. Now, meet the queen. For the longest time, Israel was known primarily for two competing beers: Maccabi or Goldstar, sold in stores, bars and restaurants, on tap or by the bottle. Tourists and sabras alike tended to favor one over the other, akin to preferring a cold glass of Coke or Pepsi. Those days are gone. The Jewish state has gotten into the beer industry step by step, and one of the more successful ventures is Malka Brewery in the Western...
(JNS) — A New York University finance professor of mine in the early 1970s said, “Give me one set of numbers, and I will give you two sets of answers.” For most of my professional career, this has been true. Going against that mantra, I am going to offer a few sets of numbers and only one set of answers. Because there is only one answer. The “land” set of numbers There are about 1.978 billion Muslims in the world out of approximately 8.2 billion people. Some 72 percent of Muslims live in countries where the Islamic religious symbol (a crescent...
(JNS) - My mom had duck boots for the rain. And for the snow. Luckily, we wore the same size shoes, so when I visited her last year and it snowed, she let me wear the duck boots. They are old-fashioned and not so stylish anymore, but I remember in the 1980s they were everywhere. And practical, oh so practical. They proclaimed to keep your feet dry, and they did! My mom, Danna Miller Levy, was generous. She gave them to me to wear without hesitation. Just like she'd join groups in her senior...
Ruth Gruber, American journalist, photographer, writer, humanitarian, and United States government official, is one of the most interesting persons who ever lived. Ruth was born in 1911 in Brooklyn, New York, the fourth of five children of Russian-Jewish immigrants. A brilliant student, she graduated high school at 15 years old. After earning an undergraduate degree from New York University at 18, she won a fellowship to the University of Wisconsin, where she obtained a master's degree in...
“You are invited! We’re having an all-you-can-eat all night study and gabfest.” The email goes on to say that the occasion is Shavuot. The holiday menu will be dairy including blintzes, various cheeses, and puddings, and pastries. They’re serving pizza, too, with dozens of choices of toppings such as mushrooms, spinach, green peppers, and pineapples. No pepperoni or ham because this is an official Jewish gathering. But neither will there be meatballs or hamburger. In fact, no meat dishes...
As we age, our skin becomes more susceptible to damage, making seniors particularly vulnerable to skin cancer. Fortunately, advancements in medical treatments, such as photodynamic therapy, offer effective solutions to help prevent and treat precancerous skin conditions. Even better, this innovative therapy is covered by Medicare, making it accessible to many seniors. At Jewish Pavilion Senior Services and the Orlando Senior Help Desk, families can find valuable resources and information to help navigate these healthcare options. What is...
(JTA) - An Israeli released from Hamas captivity earlier this year is objecting to the Pulitzer Prize awarded to Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha, charging that he is "the modern-day equivalent of a Holocaust denier" because of his derisive comments about her and other hostages. Emily Damari issued an open letter to the members of the Pulitzer Prize board on social media on May 8, saying that she had felt "shock and pain" when she saw that Abu Toha had received the prestigious award. She wrote,...
As the summer months approach, it is important to pay close attention to seniors’ nutritional needs. With warmer temperatures and increased outdoor activities, older adults may face unique challenges in maintaining proper nutrition and hydration. Read below for some strategies to help seniors stay nourished and hydrated during the summer, focusing on promoting overall health and well-being. Understanding the nutritional needs of seniors in summer Summer brings changes in appetite and hydration levels for seniors. The combination of heat and h...
This is the speech from Faye and Paul Jeser's video honoring Dick Appelbaum at the J Soiree, held May 8. Hey, Dick & Dottie – do you miss us yet? We are Faye and Paul Jeser, and we are so pleased to be asked to make this video, Rachel [Greenspan] asked us to speak for about 15 minutes ... but I'll make it much, much shorter than that. Dottie, we know that this evening is in honor of Dick, but truth be told, you were the wife behind the husband telling him what to do ... and should also be h...
Ariel Sharon — 2001-2006 The 2005 “disengagement” from Gaza was, for Ariel Sharon, the antithesis of both his nature, as well as life’s direction. Born in 1928 on moshav Kfar Malal to obdurate, mistrustful Russian parents, he was instilled with a deep-seated disdain for Arabs, amplified by the 1929 riots. He developed an inordinate sense of self-confidence and a compulsive work ethic, focusing deeply on details and an uncanny knowledge of Israel’s terrains. He was recognized for his analytical military brilliance, having served in every Isr...
4/2 T. canola oil 2/3 cup water 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1/3 cup sesame seeds 2 T. chia seeds 1/2 cup flax seeds 1/3 cup cornstarch 13 x18-inch parchment-lined baking sheet 1/2 tsp. flaked sea salt 275 F Mix dry ingredients. Bring water and oil to just a boil. Remove from the heat and let it cool 10 minutes. Mix dry ingredients and stir into cooled liquid. Allow to sit on counter 10 minutes for seeds to absorb the liquid. Use offset spatula or back of a spoon to spread...
"What's that you have in your ear?" my mother asked me. We were on our way home from a family event in New York City in March 2009. Larry was driving, my sister, Laura, was in the passenger seat and I was sitting in the back with my mom. "This is my iPod. I can listen to music on it," I responded. "Can I try?" "Of course!" I removed the earbuds from my ears and put them in my mother's. Then I scrolled through my playlist. Nearly 90 percent were Broadway musicals. I knew my mom would love them....
The column name “Give a listen” was presented to me by comedian Jackie Mason and, of course, in his familiar Yiddish accent. In response to my invitation, he had shown up in a dream in which he also proceeded to expound on many of today’s controversial topics. He stayed with me the rest of the next day. Or perhaps his appearance the night before enabled me to better channel his persona. And thus I was able to deal with a number of troubling issues with a sense of humor as I imagined his voice in...
