Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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LOS ANGELES (JTA) - JJ Harel, newly 14 years old and standing at 6-foot-2, expects to face some tough competition when the Olympics return to Los Angeles in 2028 and the starting pistol for the track and field events sounds off. But his first decision will be whether to march into the Olympic stadium under the American, Australian or Israeli flag. In any other family, such musings would be taken as the fantasies of an over-stimulated adolescent mind. However, to skeptics JJ need only unveil the...
When people deny themselves food for an extended period of time they're usually ravenously hungry and find themselves thinking about consuming huge amounts of food. But it's not a good idea to pack it in too quickly. It's too hard on your digestive system. So when Yom Kippur comes to a close, I make it easier for my family and friends and follow the ages-old wisdom of transitioning from the fast to the main meal by offering my guests a light nibble as they come into my home after synagogue. I...
Fasting on Yom Kippur is not easy, nor is it for everyone - some people cannot fast because they are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a medical condition. Some simply do not function well while abstaining from water and food for a 25-hour period. But for those who do choose to fast as a meaningful way to engage in Yom Kippur, there are actually foods to eat beforehand that can set you up for a more successful, less onerous fast. Most people stick to a menu that is classic and delicious but not to...
(JTA) - In a move that is already thrilling some Jewish audiences and stirring controversy among other international fans and activists, Marvel Studios announced that an Israeli comic book hero will appear in the next installment of its Captain America movie franchise. "Captain America: New World Order," which is set for release in 2024, will feature Israeli actress Shira Haas as Sabra, a hero who debuted with a cameo in a 1980 "Incredible Hulk" comic and appeared as a full character the...
If there’s one word that is closely connected with the High Holiday season, it’s teshuvah, repentance. It’s a part of the vocabulary taught to even young religious school children: looking at one’s behavior and then taking steps to make better decisions and live a life free of transgressions against God and our fellow humans. There’s one iconic prayer, recited on each of the days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, that expresses in a clear and dramatic way our need to perform teshuvah. The text of Unetaneh Tokef lays it all out for us and utili...
(JTA) — Shonna Levin is an Orthodox Jew, but she didn’t spend last Yom Kippur in a synagogue. The Brooklyn activist had planned to set up camp in Prospect Park, where she was going to host an all-day gathering for Jews with eating disorders for whom the holiday centered around fasting can be especially difficult. Levin, who herself has struggled with disordered eating in the past, was forced to cancel, however, due to an injury. Her event was to follow rules typical of recovery-focused spaces: no weight, calories or numbers talk. She also int...
(JTA) - Frank Saraceno has worked for ESPN since 1994 and has produced hour-long documentaries on some of the biggest stars in sports for the cable channel's Emmy Award-winning "E:60" series. But he thinks working on the episode airing Tuesday night might have been the most powerful experience with the show he has had since its inception in 2007. "I don't think I've ever been more gratified in terms of the story that I pitched coming to fruition than I am with Shaul Ladany," Saraceno told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. "And it's because of him....
As we approach Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish High Holy Days, the staff and board members at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida wish you and your family a healthy 5783. We also want to extend our deep thanks for the warm welcome this community has shown to our new CEO Talli Dippold. Dippold, who recently relocated from Charlotte, North Carolina, is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and is dedicated to keeping alive the legacy of survivors by telling their...
The month leading up to Rosh Hashanah is the month of Elul. In Hebrew, the letters that spell Elul are Alef, Lamed, Vav and Lamed. Those same letters are the first letters of the binding of a couple on their wedding day. Ani Ledodi V'dodi Li – I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. This mystical reading is more than a mere coincidence as it also sums up the relationship that Jews around the world will be reviewing as we enter the High Holidays. As the "Jewish New Year," Rosh Hashanah is a t...
As we enter this special time of reflection and renewal, we at Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando would like to thank all who have supported us this past year as we continue to grow in our commitment to our community. JFS Orlando delivers hope to our community through our FAMILY of services, not just during the holidays but EVERY day. One in seven people, among them one in five children, in Central Florida cannot afford basic food staples. To keep up with the increasing demand for food...
With Rosh Hashanah approaching, the Rosen JCC is excited to update the community on what we believe will be a very busy year ahead. The Hebrew word "shanah" means "year," but is also the root for the Hebrew word for "change." As we look internally to what changes are we willing to consider in our words and actions, the Rosen JCC is excited to launch a new initiative to change the perspective of Jewish families not yet connected to the community. Called "Makom" (Hebrew for "home"), we want the...
The Israeli American Council of Central Florida wishes you happy Jewish New Year, Shana Tova Umetuka! May the year 5783 bring joy, light, health, love, and growth to our community. May we continue to be united and love one another endlessly. Idit Lotringer IAC of Central Florida...
Kudos to the Jewish Pavilion management team - our board, staff, sponsors, supporters and volunteers. The Jewish Pavilion has been a pillar in the community for over 20 years, and we intend to remain an anchor for years to come. We are fiscally strong and secure, thanks to community-wide support. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Jewish Pavilion was able to carry out most of its Shabbat and holiday festivities for our beloved seniors. All of our fundraising and friend-raising efforts were...
Jewish Academy of Orlando welcomed 34 new students into the 2022-2023 school year. Our motto this year is "Every Child Counts," and we have prepared a rich curriculum in both Hebrew/Judaic and Secular education that will help each child succeed in their own way. We will also be rolling out our Mini Mensch program that will help preschoolers transition into our kindergarten classes and JAO Connections which will help previous students of JAO connect with each other, be a welcoming face at their...
Why didn’t the United States do more to help Europe’s Jews during the Holocaust? This question haunts the history of the United States and the Holocaust, and lurks behind practically every storyline in the new film on the subject from Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein, to be aired for three consecutive nights on PBS beginning Sept. 18. The question, of course, isn’t just about the Holocaust, but about the years before the war, when the Nazi vise tightened around the Jews of Germany and more than half of them sought to obtain visas...
When visiting a doctor or hospital bring along a notebook or tablet and take notes. It is important to ask question of your healthcare provider about the benefits and side effects of medications or procedures. I suggest that you, or a loved one, research the same information on line so that you feel well informed. There are times when a second opinion should be sought, especially preceding a surgery. I recommend you bring along an advocate. Sometimes, it is hard to process so much new information. When a family member or friend comes to an...
Do you have the feeling that someone you know or care about isn’t behaving as they normally would? Perhaps they seem a bit off, unsettled, or solitary? Try to engage them in conversation. But remember that before you can look out for others, you need to look out for yourself. And that’s OK. If you’re not in the right mindset or you don’t think you’re the right person to have the conversation, try to think of someone else in their support network who could talk to them. And if you need help star...
September 2021 Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation started the year off with a new student rabbi, Rabbi David Chapman. Before he became a rabbi, he had a successful year in the theatre. His first Broadway show was “The Addams Family” musical with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. Jewish Family Services of Orlando formed a partnership with Central Florida Hillel. A JFS mental health therapist became available for open hours in Hillel’s Wellness Lounge, which was funded by a grant from the Jewis...
(JNS) - The Israel Antiquities Authority has successfully repatriated a rare First Temple-period document from the United States, the IAA announced on Wednesday. The papyrus document is written in ancient Hebrew script and is believed to have been found in a cave in the Judean Desert, according to the IAA. The item consists of four torn lines that begin with the words, "To Ishmael send," suggesting the fragment is part of a letter containing instructions to the recipient. It therefore likely...
(JNS) — Archaeologists are describing as “extraordinary” the discovery of a collection of ivory plaques from the First Temple period recently unearthed in Jerusalem. They are among only a few ever found and the first to be unearthed in the city. The plaques, approximately 2,700 years old, were discovered during the excavations being conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University at the Givati Parking Lot in the City of David archaeological and tourism site, which is part of the Jerusalem Walls National Park. Decor...
For the second year in a row, RAISE has been named a top-rated program by GreatNonprofits, the leading platform for community-sourced stories about nonprofits. Being named by this organization means that RAISE is really making a difference in the lives of its participants and the community. RAISE is also in partnership with Amazon in Orlando. This is a great opportunity for RAISE alumni, as any raise graduate who would like to work at Amazon will have a guaranteed job....
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease will wander. Wandering is best described as a tendency to roam or walk around without a clear destination or purpose. For those with Alzheimer’s disease, the destination or purpose of the walk is often forgotten, causing them to become confused or lost. As a caregiver, you are must be concerned about the safety of someone who wanders. There may be no harm in wandering a contained space, but for someone with dementia who gets lost outside, the risk of injur...
(JTA) - Eugene Ginter was 12 days shy of his sixth birthday when he was liberated from Auschwitz in January 1945. Emaciated and alone, Ginter landed first in a hospital and then in an orphanage in Krakow, the Polish city where he was born. Several months later, miraculously, he was reunited with his mother. Her first order of business was to help him regain weight and health, but he had no interest in food after being deprived of it for so long. So she created a rich sandwich made of things she...
Asking for help can be intimidating, but trying to do it all yourself will put you at a higher risk of stress and other health concerns. Very few of us can navigate this world alone. When you feel overwhelmed, try reaching out to your trusted support system. Even journaling can be a great starting point to prioritize emotions and help recognize when you might need a hand. And when you're ready for guidance through life's turbulent times...we're here for you. JFS Orlando is here to help with our...
(JTA) - For nearly a millennium, 17 Jewish children and adults lost to history at the bottom of a well kept a secret about the genetic markers that distinguish Ashkenazi Jews. In 1190, in Norwich, a riverside city perched near England's eastern coast, crusaders on their way to the Holy Land massacred 17 Jews and threw them down a well. The town was already a locus for antisemitic fervor: In 1144, its people originated the first known blood libel, blaming Jews for the ritual murder of a child....
