Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3626 - 3650 of 4470
Ever since her first stage performance, when she was seven, in the JCC Players' production of "Oliver!," Andra London has loved the stage. From that humble beginning, London went on to perform for six years with the Orlando Opera Company Youth Ensemble before forming the singing trio Visions during her teen years with two other local Jewish young ladies. The group made four albums and performed 150 concerts in 80 cities nationwide. "One beautiful byproduct of Visions was the opportunity to trave... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-United Synagogue Youth voted to relax its rules barring its teenage board members from dating non-Jews. The amendment was adopted Monday in Atlanta at the annual international convention of the Conservative movement's youth group. The change affects the 100 or so teen officers who serve on USY's national board and 17 regional boards. The thousands of teens who participate in USY programs have not been subject to any such bans. After some debate at the convention, the USY board... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion is a mobile community center providing outreach to seniors in more than 50 assisted living and nursing homes all over greater Orlando. The Pavilion is not in one particular place, but is a place in the heart that can be found wherever and whenever its volunteers (often with their families) and staff come together to benefit our elder community in long-term care. Still people ask: Where exactly can I find the Jewish Pavilion? While the Pavilion has a tiny business office in... Full story
The “Seeking Kin” column aims to help reunite long-lost relatives and friends. BALTIMORE (JTA)—The ringing telephone that awakened David Rashti early one morning brought with it a jolt the Los Angeles-area resident couldn’t have anticipated. The caller was someone Rashti had never met or even heard of: Rachel Levy, a resident of Safed, Israel. She spoke Hebrew, he spoke English and they were unable to understand one other—until Levy utilized her weak knowledge of Farsi. When Rashti, 47, heard “Iran”—not the country but the name of his long-los... Full story
The law of the land?... This article appeared in a recent Issue of the World Jewish Congress Digest (WJC) and I pass it along to you (with asides by me): "A new law was recently approved by the Greek Parliament that sets prison sentences of up to three years and fines of up to $34,000 for individuals and $130,000 for groups convicted of 'inciting acts of discrimination, hatred or violence' over race, religion or disability. It also calls for similar punishment for those who deny or praise the... Full story
(JTA)-When Carolyn Starman Hessel joined the New York-based Jewish Book Council in 1994-at the request of friend Marsha Posner-she knew nothing about the publishing world. Since then, she's been called the "Jewish Oprah" for her ability to help authors find audiences, and has enjoyed enormous clout and influence among publishers. The soon-to-be retired director, who says she simply learned "on the job," helped launch the career of novelist and short-story writer Nathan Englander, when in 1999... Full story
(JTA)—What made headlines (in Israel, the U.S. and around the world) in 2014? Test your knowledge with JTA’s annual news quiz: 1. Palestinian officials apologized to Czech authorities after the Palestinian envoy to Prague, Jamal Al-Jamal, was killed in an explosion in his home because: a) a cache of illegal weapons was discovered there. b) the explosion damaged a historic Czech cemetery. c) the ambassador’s residence was being used by Palestinian militants as a safe house. d) Yasser Arafat’s widow, Suha, blamed the explosion on the Czech g... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)-Robert Wolfe, the irreplaceable former chief archivist for captured Nazi documents at the National Archives here, died Dec. 10 at the age of 93. With his death, a legacy also dies. Wolfe singlehandedly galvanized a generation of Holocaust and Nazi-era historians and authors-including me. He was assigned to the Nuremberg War Crimes prosecutor's office, where he became familiar not only with the infamous testimony now published in many volumes of the Nuremberg Trials, but also... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)-Ari Engel is homeless. It's been a decade since he last held a regular job and two years since he gave up his apartment. But don't shed any tears for him. Over the last 10 years or so, Engel has grossed about $5 million playing poker. The son of an Orthodox rabbi, Engel, 31, has become one of the world's best professional poker players-ranked No. 23 worldwide by the poker magazine Bluff-and probably the only top-tier player who wears a kipah. When Engel decided to give up his Toro... Full story
(JTA)—Ari Engel, the son of an Orthodox rabbi, has become one of the world’s best professional poker players over the last few years. Engel says poker is a game of skill, not chance. Here are his top five tips for becoming a better poker player: 1. Patience is a virtue. I know you didn’t travel to the casino or home game to fold, but sometimes that’s what you need to do. Playing bad hands because you are bored is a recipe for a losing session. By being selective with the hands you play, you will have a better hand than your opponents over the l... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion gave Chanukah parties at over 50 senior facilities in Central Florida this Chanukah season. This is a tremendous undertaking but the value is incredible as it reaches so many in senior care facilities. Chanukah is a joyous time for Jewish families, but oftentimes awkward if not difficult for seniors when it comes to navigating the holiday period with Christmas filling the air everywhere. The Jewish Pavilion brings Chanukah parties to Central Florida senior facilities so that... Full story
Joan Pohl is posed with Betty and Al Shames of Brookdale Island Lake. Betty entered the room wearing her “festive Chanukah sweater” and Joan insisted on snapping a photo to share with others. Betty can be found at all of the Jewish Pavilion programs and many times leading one.... Full story
Ann and Lester Tabak have been married for 69 years and currently live at Brookdale Island Lake (formerly Chambrel). Lester is deeply devoted to Ann and wears a smile from ear to ear always in her company. While Ann may need more care in her later years, Lester remains positive, socially involved and a pure delight to be with. They were seated here at the monthly Yiddish class. On this day the Yiddish class enjoyed Chanukah music and nosh with Jewish Pavilion volunteers Morey Solomon and Joan... Full story
There are good people in this world... The Jewish Foundation For the Righteous knows this for sure. I recently received the following letter from them: The Jewish Foundation For the Righteous (JFR) was established to repay a debt of gratitude to Christian rescuers who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. The JFR sends monthly financial support to more than 550 aged and needy rescuers in 20 countries to help them pay for food, housing, and medical expenses. Since its founding, th... Full story
Ten friends of Ohev Shalom's Rabbi Emeritus Rudolph Adler made the trip down to Dr. Phillips on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 for a Chanukah luncheon with the rabbi at the Sutton Home facility where he is in residence. TooJay's in Ocoee donated the delicious just-cooked latkes along with gefilte fish. Jewish Pavilion Program Director Gloria Green arranged the event with the able help of Ohev Shalom congregation member Shirley Michael. The synagogue friends of the rabbi presented him with a lap... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion says thank you to the Tauber family of Congregation Ohev Shalom, for visiting the residents at Oakmonte Village Assisted Living Community on the fourth night of Chanukah. The residents look forward to having families lead them in the blessings and songs for Chanukah. Jewish Pavilion recruited several families to join the seniors on different nights to enhance the beauty of the holiday. Shown here are Michelle Tauber and her four children; Tillie, Frank, Lou and... Full story
NEW YORK (JTA)—Dimly lit, the stone slab, or stele, doesn’t look particularly noteworthy, especially when compared to the more lavish sphinxes, jewelry and cauldrons one encounters en route to the room where it is installed. Indeed, in a Twitter post this fall, art journalist Lee Rosenbaum described the nearly 13-by-16 inch c. 830 BCE rock, which resembles an aardvark or elephant, as “homely.” What’s significant about this stone—on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its “Assyria to Iberia at the Dawn of the Classical Age... Full story
The following is the second part of an excerpted from “Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents’ Tailor” (Regnery) by Martin Greenfield with Wynton Hall. Greenfield, an 84-year-old Holocaust survivor, owns and operates Martin Greenfield Clothiers in Brooklyn, NY. Don’t shoot! On April 11, 1945, 3:15 p.m., the Allies liberated Buchenwald. Physically, I was free. Emotionally, I was in chains. I’d made a promise to myself. And I intended to keep it. I located two Jewish boys who were well enough to make the walk to Weimar. I... Full story
Mayor Teresa Jacobs was delighted to light the menorah and celebrate the holidays at the Chanukah Family Winter Festival & Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Chabad of South Orlando. More than 400 local Jewish families and community members attended the annual event. Attendees enjoyed snow sledding down real snow, delicious food, Chanukah crafts and a concert featuring Israel's soul rock blues artist Lazer Lloyd.... Full story
One hundred and fifty people enjoyed the Dec. 11,2014 JP Connection's Luncheon honoring members and volunteers. Pictured are Norma Ball and Pam Ruben receiving their awards at JP Connections. "Both women have brought sunshine and smiles to our elders in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in greater Orlando," said Jewish Pavilion Executive Director Nancy Ludin. The beautiful artwork was designed by Jewish Pavilion volunteer Sandy Silbert, who is being honored by Kinneret at 8 over... Full story
Jewish Pavilion Chanukah party guests Laura at Westminster Towers is 103 years old, and Rose at Terra Vista Rehabilitation (photo at right) is a mere 104 years old. Both women enjoyed receiving Chanukah bears.... Full story
This holiday season, a philanthropist best known for giving out free books to children is mailing a quarter of a million tzedakah boxes to the same children-and more-to encourage and spread the spirit of generosity and giving. And the local PJ Library families will be receiving this generous gift. Harold Grinspoon launched the project at the holiday season because it is a time when families of different faiths try to teach their children about charity, fairness and justice. "Generosity of... Full story
"Sand in my shoes... " "Sand from Havana... " Remember that song? (I used to perform it.) Mazel tov to ALAN GROSS on his recent release (after 5 years) from Cuba. Surely it was a Chanukah miracle! "Father of the Nuclear Navy"... HYMAN GEORGE RICKOVER was a United States Navy admiral who directed the original development of naval nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of Naval Reactors. In addition, he oversaw the development of the Shippingport Atomic... Full story
The following is excerpted from "Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents' Tailor" (Regnery) by Martin Greenfield with Wynton Hall. Greenfield, an 84-year-old Holocaust survivor, owns and operates Martin Greenfield Clothiers in Brooklyn, NY. The Heritage is running this excerpt in two parts because of its length. I made a vow: If I survived Buchenwald, I would return and kill the mayor's wife. The first time Martin Greenfield took up needle and thread was at Auschwitz, to mend... Full story
