Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Dr. Les Kramer of Longwood was a man "behind" his times-that is to say he is a man who finds technical solutions to meet national needs during changing times. He was a flexible person, and adjusted his career goals during his 46-year science and engineering career. This flexibility eventually led him to become the vice president of engineering at TaiLor Made Prosthetics, where he is a designer and developer of a prosthetic foot more flexible than any other prosthetic on the market. Kramer grew... Full story
Last September, HaZamir Orlando, the international Jewish High School choir, launched its inaugural season with auditions for teens from all over the Orlando area. Congregation of Reform Judaism Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer, director of HaZamir Orlando, made her selections. The chosen singers rehearsed weekly at The Roth Family JCC, learning the same Jewish choral repertoire as 35 other HaZamir chapters across the United States and Israel. And now, the season will culminate with the teens joining... Full story
Thinking of the "So-called" ban... Most of you are too young to remember when Jews were turned away from our shores, because they were not accepted as immigrants. (What ever happened to "Give us your tired, your poor..."?) I wrote the following many (many) years ago when I was a teen, to the tune of "Somewhere" from West Side Story. With the current rise of anti-Semitism everywhere, only Israel and some U.S. states are welcoming: "There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us, Place where... Full story
(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The Israel-based beverage carbonation company SodaStream has decided to feature an Israeli flag on all its products, which are sold in 45 countries. "The company management wants to send a message of national pride, particularly in days when many of us hide our Israeli identity from the world," the company, which manufactures sparkling water makers for home use, said in a statement. The Israeli flag is accompanied by the English message reading, "This product... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-Kasha varnishkes is a much beloved Ashkenazi comfort food dish. Traditionally made with bow tie pasta, onions, schmaltz and kasha (buckwheat), it is filling, comforting peasant food at its best. I wanted to add a little bit of healthfulness into the traditional recipe, so we decided to swap out regular or egg pasta for some whole grain pasta and include some riced cauliflower into the mix for a serving of vegetables. This recipe is based on this classic recipe for kasha... Full story
(The Nosher via JTA)-Everyone enjoys a good recipe hack, and I think you will love this one: two-ingredient rugelach! That's right: just a package of puff pastry, filling and that's it. You can make flaky, sweet, indulgent rugelach for your next Shabbat dinner, brunch or just because you need something with your afternoon cup of tea, within 30 minutes. I like to use chocolate hazelnut spread, but you could use a cookie butter or jam-or try something savory like goat cheese and herbs. Top with a... Full story
"My Jewish Roots" Workshops, sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Orlando (JGSGO) continue in March with the workshop: Using Ancestry.com for Jewish Research. What's in a name? Apparently, quite a lot when the derivation of your surname is a mystery. As a child, I had always wondered why my surname, Anderson, was so non-Jewish. Growing up, I knew the names of all my grandparents: My mother's parents were Emanuel Dannenberg and Alma Wolf; my father's parents, however, were Ruth... Full story
It's about time... The Great Synagogue of Pilsen is returned to the Jews of the Czech Republic. With all the anti-Semitism that seems to be re-appearing in the world (including the United States) it is good to pass some positive news along sometimes. I read this in the World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest: "As reported in the Jewish Press, after 20 years as a Czech concert hall and art museum and more than a decade of intense lobbying, the Czech Republic's Pilsen municipality has made a decision... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
'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... Full story
(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;... Full story
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... Full story
(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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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. (... Full story
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... Full story
(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... Full story
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... Full story
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)... Full story
(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... Full story
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... Full story
(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,... Full story
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... Full story
