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Mega Shabbat brings UCF Jewish community together as family
The smell of matzo ball soup and the sound of chattering voices traveled through the hallways of the UCF Student Union Friday night. Feb. 21, as the UCF community gathered to celebrate Judaism's day...
Roth Family JCC closes temporarily, majority of employees laid off
On March 24, Keith Dvorchik, CEO of The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, issued a statement to all JCC members that the JCC Board of Directors made the decision to temporarily cease operations, effective the end of business on...
BBYO introduces 'Jewish Netflix'
(WASHINGTON, DC & WORLDWIDE)—BBYO has introduced a brand-new, first-of-its-kind virtual experience for Jewish youth, akin to an interactive “Jewish Netflix” for teens to access unique online experiences and programs. As “social distancing...
Jewish Academy goes remote
Jewish Academy of Orlando (JAO) transitioned to remote learning on Wednesday, March 18, missing only one day of school as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. After much faculty preparation and...
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What's in a card? The Jewish Pavilion's response to the corona virus
By Ashley Fisak I always opened my birthday card from my grandparents with gusto because I knew it would have a $5 bill inside. I can remember that excitement and now I see it in my own children when...
2020 Jewish Heritage Festival rescheduled for April 25
DAYTONA BEACH—The 2020 Jewish Heritage Festival scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2020 at The Casements in Ormond Beach, Florida, has been postponed until April 25, 2021 due to the pubic health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus....
JFS Orlando here to help during COVID-19, but needs your help to do it
With the world shutting down around us during the COVID-19 virus outbreak, JFS Orlando continues to operate to make sure people who are hungry get food, elderly who have to travel get a ride, folks who look for spiritual guidance can speak with the...
What American Jews can learn from my Italian Jewish community's response to the coronavirus
By Simone Somekh NEW YORK (JTA)—The Italian people’s first reaction to the coronavirus was to have a good laugh. Not because they didn’t believe the virus was a real issue, but because that’s just how we like to process big changes in my home...
Conservative movement leaders say virtual minyans are permissible during 'crisis situation'
(JTA)—The leaders of the Conservative movement’s Jewish law committee issued a crisis declaration allowing the recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish with a virtual online prayer quorum. In a statement issued this week, Rabbis Elliot Dorff and...
Israel evacuates backpackers stranded in Peru
(JNS)—Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that a passenger jet will be sent to Peru to begin evacuating Israelis that were stranded in the South American country when it shut its borders in an effort to contain the coronavirus...
Inside the coronavirus outbreak ward at Hadassah Hospital
JERUSALEM (JTA)—In late February, I flew to Long Island to help my 77-year-old mom following her knee replacement surgery. I arrived in the United States with the remnants of a mild winter cold, a slight cough and runny nose—nothing I was...
Trump and Netanyahu have handled the coronavirus outbreak in totally different ways
By Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON (JTA)—Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have much in common when it comes to policy and style. They stand together in recommending tough action to contain Iran, and are comfortable dealing with autocracies (Saudi...
Weekly roundup of world briefs
Work to secure Western Wall stones in egalitarian area completed By Marcy Oster JERUSALEM (JTA)—Work to secure stones in the egalitarian section of the Western Wall has been completed. The work came after a 400-pound stone dislodged from...
Netanyahu and Gantz agree to work toward emergency unity government
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday called for the formation of an emergency government to confront a growing crisis over the coronavirus, offering a potential way out of the...
New Jersey rabbis decide to shut down their Jewish community
(JTA)-Larry Rothwachs, a rabbi in Teaneck, New Jersey, walked into the meeting Wednesday night between local Jewish leaders and health officials with one set of ideas about how his community should...
Federation, JCC closes for 2 weeks
Keith Dvorchik, executive director of the Federation and The Roth Family JCC, made the decision to close both facilities for two weeks, beginning last Monday, March 16. They currently plan to reopen on Monday, March 30. This was a result of the...
Gantz tasked to form government
JERUSALEM (JTA)-Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will give Benny Gantz the task of forming a new government, his office said Sunday. Rivlin met Sunday with the heads of all the parties that won seats...
Jewish Academy kindergarteners support Pearlman Pantry
Jewish Academy of Orlando kindergarteners raised funds at the school for the Pearlman Food Pantry at Jewish Family services by operating a healthy snack store. The annual program at JAO begins with a...
The Roth Family JCC events canceled, postponed or waiting to see
If you have purchased tickets to an event, we will email you with details about refunds. Saturday, March 21: The Tribe at Magic game CANCELED Wednesday, March 25: 35+ Basketball League start to season POSTPONED Thursday, March 26: 50+ Basketball...
From 'Spock' greetings to chopstick Torah pointers, synagogues are getting creative amid the coronavirus outbreak
(JTA)-On a typical Friday, some 200 people show up for services at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, a Reform congregation in Seattle. But last week, there was no one in the pews as Rabbi Daniel Weiner welcomed...
US State Department changes name of eastern Jerusalem Palestinians in annual report
(JNS)—The U.S. State Department has changed its official description of Palestinians living in eastern Jerusalem from “Palestinian residents” to “Arab residents” or “non-Israeli citizens” in the department’s annual...
A hard worker for the Jewish Pavilion
Brenda Fisher Wetmore uses her talents in many ways. An avid supporter of The Jewish Pavilion, Wetmore has been on the Friends of the Jewish Pavilion Board for many years. She actively helps plan...
Thousands of Israelis in the US called home as coronavirus restrictions tighten in their homeland
NEW YORK (JTA)—Purim celebrations at Oakland Hebrew Day School on Tuesday included a surprise, un-festive addition: farewells to two young Israeli women whose work in the Northern California school was being cut short by the global coronavirus...
Seniors connect with their heritage through the holidays
The programs offered by the Jewish Pavilion provide Jewish residents at senior living facilities opportunities to connect with their heritage as they share their holidays and Shabbat with their...
Israel's hospitality industry suffering worst-ever crisis, says Israel Hotel Association
(JNS)-Amid the worldwide tourism slowdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, Israel Hotel Association president Amir Hayek warned on Monday that the hotel industry is "on the brink of collapse." "Mass...
