Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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NEW YORK—Onward Israel, which has engaged more than 4,200 young adults in multi-week, immersive, resumé-building experiences in Israel, has received an $8 million investment from the San Francisco-based Jim Joseph Foundation to expand its programs and engage even more participants. A portion of the funding is designated for Onward’s popular theme-based programs and to strengthen the Jewish educational components of all of its offerings. “Onward Israel is designed to meet the interests of today’s young adults who seek international resumé-b...
NEW YORK (JTA)-For centuries, studying a page of the Talmud has come with a bevy of barriers to entry. Written mostly in Aramaic, the Talmud in its most commonly printed form also lacks punctuation or vowels, let alone translation. Its premier explanatory commentary, composed by the medieval sage Rashi, is usually printed in an obscure Hebrew typeface read almost exclusively by religious, learned Jews. Even then, scholars can still spend hours figuring out what the text means. And that's not to...
'Being There: Journalism 1978-2000' by Tom Teicholz Award-winning journalist, Tom Teicholz's book "Being There" features interviews with several pre-eminent Jewish artists and figures from the 80s and 90s, including Jerzy Kosinsky, Cynthia Ozick, Baron Guy de Rotschild, Isaac Singer, Phoebe Cates, Amy Heckling, Russ Meyer and many more, as well as dispatches from the road to war, from Israel to the Jewish Diaspora, Hollywood to New York. There are conversations ranging from literature and film t...
(JTA)-Filmmaker Kahane Cooperman hasn't written an Oscars acceptance speech yet, but she likely will before the Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 28. Not to jinx things or appear overconfident, Cooperman told JTA in a telephone interview, but "on the chance it happens, for fear of leaving someone out." Her film, "Joe's Violin," is up for an award for short documentary-a category typically ignored by viewers more interested in what Emma Stone is wearing. It's a 24-minute, five-handkerchief weeper;...
It is hoped that the questions below will be helpful to people leading Tu B'Shevat seders, as a way to increase audience participation. Suggested responses are given following the questions. Please send me suggestions for additional questions and for improved answers. 1. What is the origin of Tu B'Shevat? Tu B'Shevat is first mentioned in the Mishneh (Rosh Hashanah 1:1) as a cut-off date for the tithing of fruits for the Temple priests and for the poor. 2. Where is Tu B'Shevat mentioned in the T...
(JTA)-Trees have stories, and Israel's trees have lots of stories. Scattered throughout the country, scores of ancient and historic trees help shed light on fascinating aspects of Israeli history, from the biblical to the modern, that are often overlooked by the average tourist. As we approach Tu B'Shevat-the new year for the trees on the Jewish calendar falls on Feb. 10 this year-now is the perfect time to visit some of these magnificent trees. The five trees below, all easily accessible, are...
I am conflicted... The following comes from Rabbi ALAN LURIE, author of "Five Minutes on Mondays: Finding Unexpected Purpose, Peace and Fulfillment at Work.": "Rabbis hear variations on the following questions: 'How can anyone believe in God after the Holocaust? ' (This is a question I often ask myself.) "How can a supposedly loving God stand back and let such a horrible thing happen? The purpose of creation, then, is to be in a loving relationship with its Creator. In order to have a true...
My feet are absolutely killing me, and it's not from the 10,000 steps I have been walking daily to kick the New Year off on the right foot. The spring in my step has been hampered by the plastic-spiked gel inserts that have been stuffed into my shoes (voluntarily) during a "Virtual Dementia Tour" hosted by Watercrest Senior Living Community. Our tour was designed to enhance empathy and understanding for those who are suffering from memory loss or a dementia-related illness. I literally learned...
Some of my most important lessons in life I learned from Jewish verses about trees. From the following I learned that I should be an environmental activist, working to help preserve the world: In the hour when the Holy one, blessed be He, created the first person, He showed him the trees in the Garden of Eden, and said to him: “See My works, how fine they are; Now all that I have created, I created for your benefit. Think upon this and do not corrupt and destroy My world, For if you destroy it, there is no one to restore it after you. (...
The first-ever Jewish National Fund (JNF) Israel water mission, titled IsraelH2O: A Tour on the Trail of Israel's Water Solutions, attracted participants for many different reasons, but ultimately, all came with the same goal-to learn more about how Israel, a once water starved country, has become a place where water issues have become stable and its water crisis mitigated. The mission was a natural continuation and a fitting conclusion to JNF's yearlong successful Water Summits held in dozens o...
(JTA)-There are plenty of paradigms in the history of humor for how Jews and non-Jews get along, or don't: as persecutors and victims, as saviors and saved, as allies against a common oppressor. All these are fraught with the tensions between the powerful and the disempowered, which makes sense: Fear drives humor. But there is a uniquely American paradigm, one devoid of fear, instead celebrating the Jew as an inextricable part of the national fabric. Its best exemplar was Mary Tyler Moore, who...
Several years ago Stewart Bloom would drive his son, Andrew, who at the time was preparing for his bar mitzvah, to the monthly musicals at Brookdale Lake Orienta in Altamonte Springs. Andrew would make delicious brownies and was always so anxious to serve them to the residents. As time went on, Bloom still delivered the brownies every month, even after Andrew got older and could no longer dedicate his time. Bloom not only has become a regular and welcome face, but a resident favorite. Once a...
Delayed Bar Mitzvah celebration... I read this recently and think you will enjoy reading it as well: "YISRAEL KRISTAL, II3 years old, a survivor of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau who is believed to be the world's oldest man, recently celebrated the Bar Mitzvah that he missed because of World War I. His daughter, SHULAMIT KRISTAL KUPERSTOCH, told all that about 100 family members gathered to mark the rite. Kristal was officially recognized as the world's oldest man last March. He (at 13)...
(JTA)-Growing up, I had always heard the names Otwock and Karczew. Both are neighboring towns near Warsaw. Before the Holocaust, Otwock was home to some 14,000 Jews. Karczew had about 500 Jewish residents and became home to a Nazi forced-labor camp during World War II. While both places may have little name recognition around the world, in my family the names loomed large. They were as common to all of us as the names of Poppy and Grandma's murdered siblings. My grandparents had grown up in...
OSWIECIM, Poland (JTA)—I did a shameful thing on my first visit 20 years ago to the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In a guestbook outside an Auschwitz museum exhibit featuring information on 70,000 Polish non-Jews who were murdered here, I downplayed the significance of their deaths by writing: “Your pain is no credential here, it’s just the shadow of my wound.” Those words—a quote from a Leonard Cohen song that I abused as a high school student from Israel while touring the camp that my grandmother had survived...
(StatePoint) It’s that time of the year to gear up for the Super Bowl. But hosting a great football-watching party doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With these helpful money saving tips from the retail experts at Dollar General, you can easily throw a get-together that will score big with all your friends. Prep for the Big Day The secret to a great gathering is preparation. To reduce the stress, plan early and stock up. Make a list of everything you will need and slowly purchase items each time you run to the store. For easy clean-up on game day,...
We need touch. We need the comfort, the connection and the security. Touch has powerful emotional benefits. The power of touch is profound. It is the first language that we learn and our first sense to develop. Touch is a form of communication that does not need words to express the intention. Whether the touch is to share a joyous moment with someone or perhaps soothe any fears or anxieties, the touch is meant to convey a "sense of worth." For me, when I touch an elder that I visit through the...
Marilyn Macklin's story as told by Gloria Green "My Jewish Roots" Workshops, sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Orlando (JGSGO) continue in February with the workshop: "The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe." If you've seen Neil Simon's brilliant comedy, "Brighton Beach Memoirs," you will likely remember the character Kate saying "Max Green will be at our table. He's the one whose wife died of 'tuberculosis' (said in a whisper)." Imagine looking into your family history and...
By Stephen M. Flatow Remember John Howard Griffin's 1961 book "Black Like Me," about a white journalist who posed as an African-American in order to experience what life was like for blacks in the South? An American journalist recently undertook a Palestinian version of that experiment. Hearing complaints about Israeli checkpoints that supposedly restrict the movement of Arabs in Judea and Samaria, filmmaker Ami Horowitz of Fox News decided to see for himself. He hired a Palestinian driver and,...
It warms my heart... When former POTUS (President of the United States) surprised former VP JOE BIDEN with the Presidential Medal of Freedom "With Distinction," I felt so good. Joe Biden has always been a favorite of mine. His kindness and caring shines through inspite of the many tragedies he has endured in his life. I want to thank him for his years of service to our country. Our 44th was the first black president; Our 45th is our first orange (& yellow) president. (Is orange the new black?)...
On Dec. 23, 2016, Congregation Ohr Chayim had their Chanukah dinner with songs and prayers at Providence Independence, and a beautiful Challah was made by Rabbi Arthur Grae in the shape of a Chanukah menorah. Elaine Grae is shown here with the Challah. There were 25 attendees and everyone had a great time. The next event will be Congregation Ohr Chayim's Tu B'Shevat Seder on Friday, Feb. 10. Services this year will be held on the first and fourth Fridays of the month....
NEW YORK (JTA)-Saul Kaye never wanted to be a "Jewish blues" player. In his opinion, the Jewish music he had heard growing up in Northern California's Bay Area ranged from "really bad to horrible." In 2009, he was touring as a rock musician, playing hundreds of shows a year with various bands at bars and clubs. And though he had never been very religious, he experienced a bad breakup and felt the need to do something spiritually "radical." So Kaye decided to take a Talmud course at the Mayanot...
(The Nosher via JTA)-My 4-year-old, previously meatball-loving child has recently decided, in fact, she does not like meatballs any longer. Or tomato sauce. My husband does not like spaghetti squash. And I am trying to cut back on my carbs just a smidge. In short, dinner is becoming harder and harder to coordinate. So when I made sweet and sour meatballs for the first time recently and they were devoured, I knew we had a winner. That is, until my daughter decides she doesn't. I served these...
Shown here are Ruth Sandweiss and Stephen Cardonic who performed a beautiful assortment of Chanukah, Yiddish and familiar Jewish tunes to a room filled with engaged people clapping along. Ruth played piano so beautifully while Stephen led in song. It was a delightful way to celebrate Chanukah with Jewish Pavilion friends at Oakmonte Village: Cordova! Ruth and Stephen deserve a huge thank. Ruth plays piano at Brookdale Island Lake Shabbat on the first Friday at 4 p.m....
(JTA)—In last week’s issue, Heritage ran a story about a married couple who competed against each other in a Bible contest. The husband of the pair, Yair Shahak of New York City, was one of two winners of the International Adult Bible Contest in Jerusalem. Shahak, 28, representing the U.S., shared the honor with Israeli Yafit Silman, according to Ynet News. Shahak’s wife, Yaelle Frohlich, was also a finalist in the competition, representing Canada. The contest ended on Dec. 28. The contest—sort of a spelling bee, but with biblical verses...
