Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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(JTA) - Four years ago, Volodymyr Zelensky was an actor on the humorous Ukrainian TV show "Servant of the People," starring as an unlikely president of the Eastern European country. Now, he is at the center of the continent's most significant conflict since World War II, framing himself as a possible martyr on the world stage. "This might be the last time you see me alive," he reportedly told European Union leaders on a call about steps the bloc was considering to try to stop Russia's advances t... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center will honor Dr. Rita Bornstein with the Tess Wise White Rose Award at its annual event on April 13, from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., at the Rollins Museum of Art, Back Lawn. The White Rose Award commemorates the actions of a group of courageous students in Germany during World War II. Calling for non-violent resistance against Hitler and the Nazis, the group consisted of five students in their early 20s led by Hans and Sophie Scholl. They worked day...
Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando has been selected as a beneficiary of the Winn-Dixie Bloomin’ 4 Good Program for the month of March. JFS Orlando’s Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry will receive a $1 donation for every $12.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet (marked with a red circle sticker) purchased at the Fern Park Winn-Dixie located at 7800 South Highway 17-92 during March. “We are very grateful to have been chosen for the Winn-Dixie Bloomin’ 4 Good Program,” said Philip Flynn, executive director of JFS Orlando. “Whether you’re purcha...
Lisa Eichenblatt is very excited to partner with the Jewish Pavilion. She has lived in the Central Florida community for over 40 years and has established herself as a recognized success in real estate. Paying special attention to senior's real estate needs, Eichenblatt is participating in the Seniors Real Estate Institute and has completed her certification as a Senior Housing Professional. CSHP's are specialists who understand the distinct late-life transition needs, wants and goals of mature...
(JNS) — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recognition on Feb. 21 of two “breakaway” states in eastern Ukraine and his subsequent dispatch of “peacekeepers” there — considered by Western nations to be an official invasion of the country — has left its citizens and particularly the Jewish communities on edge. Throughout Ukraine, Jewish leaders are watching closely, and many have made contingency plans in the event the situation worsens. Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich told JNS that the Jews “are part of the general community. What’s g...
(JTA) — In launching Russia’s war on Ukraine last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin cited a purported need for “denazification” of Ukraine, a country whose president is Jewish. “Its goal is to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide … for the last eight years. And for this we will strive for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine,” Putin said in his speech, which was broadcast on state television. Putin was referring to a claim that he has long made, starting as a justification for his 2014 invasion...
(JTA) — Ukraine’s embassy in Israel tried to recruit Israelis to join the Ukrainian fight against Russia in a Facebook post Saturday. “The Embassy has begun the formation of lists of volunteers who wish to participate in combat actions against the Russian aggressor,” the embassy wrote in a Facebook post that was later taken down, according to The Times of Israel. The post asked volunteers to tell coordinators about any “military specialty” they have, something Israelis, most of whom complete mandatory army service after high school, wil...
Dan Green, CEO and director general of World ORT, wrote the following news release about the five schools and regional office in Kiev: World ORT has learned with dismay and great concern about the escalation overnight of the security situation in Ukraine. We are in constant contact with our regional office in Kiev and with our five schools and two affiliated schools in Ukraine — Zaporozhe and Odessa in the eastern and southern regions; and Chernivtsi, Kyiv, and Belaya Tserkov in the north and west — and are co-operating fully with our par...
(JTA) — Israel began allowing unvaccinated tourists to enter the country on March 1 as the county’s COVID case numbers continue to decline, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced. Tourists will still need to produce negative PCR tests before and after their flights, while Israelis will only need to take a test upon landing. The more lax rules mean that children under the age of five who are ineligible to be vaccinated can now enter the country. Only fully vaccinated tourists have been allowed in since Jan...
(JNS) - The Ohio House Higher Education Committee heard testimony on Feb. 15 on a bill that would require colleges and universities in the state to provide accommodation for students when there are conflicts between class assignments, exams and religious observances. A number of Jewish organizations, including dozens of Hillels, Chabad Houses, historically Jewish fraternities, Jewish Federations and Jewish Community Relations Councils, are supporting the legislation. The bipartisan bill was...
(JNS) - "Everyone is just talking about the war," said Yana Koblenko from Ukraine, who arrived in Israel on Sunday with a plane of 74 other new immigrants. "Until the last minute, I was worried the flight would be canceled." The Koblenko family-Yana, her husband Yevgeny and their young daughter-had been longing to come to Israel for some time. The rest of Yana's family, including her parents, had made aliyah just before the pandemic. "It's scary in Ukraine right now," Yana said as she arrived...
Whether you're a caregiver to your family members or a professional caregiver such as a health provider, teacher, or clergy, recognize that burnout or neglecting your health will impact your ability to care for others. Try taking micro-breaks to recharge, a few moments to step away and stay connected with the world outside of your role as a caregiver. Find a community or group for your interests and hobbies or simply call a friend to talk about something besides caregiving. JFS Orlando is here...
By Israel Kasnett (JNS) - Screams pierce the air as the dust clears and survivors begin to emerge from the rubble. More than 10,000 people have been killed and 20,000 more are injured. Thousands of buildings across the country have collapsed. In some areas, there is deathly silence; in others, cries for help can be heard from beneath the debris. The streets are impassable; shattered glass, bricks and chunks of concrete are strewn everywhere. Trees, light poles and electrical wires lie across...
(Israel Hayom via JNS) — Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has ordered Israeli embassy staff in Kyiv to move to consular offices in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, as war looms between Russia and Ukraine. “The consular office in Lviv has been working to provide travel documents to Israeli citizens since Thursday and will assist citizens interested in leaving the country, primarily through land border crossings to neighboring countries,” the ministry said in a statement. Officials said that the ministry was “prepared for any develop...
(Israel21c via JNS) — The closing ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Sunday brought to an end another Winter Games without a medal for Israel. Nevertheless, the six athletes representing the Jewish state had some high points to celebrate. Barnabas Szollos, 23, said at the start that his goal was to be in the top 30. He skied in five events and placed twice in the top 30, twice in the top 20 and once in the top 10, finishing in sixth place in men’s alpine skiing and setting a new Israeli record in that sport. He was just 1.0...
(JTA) — It seemed a slam dunk: The popular conservative cause of banning “critical race theory” in schools, being taken up for a vote in one of the country’s most lopsidedly conservative legislatures. Then a Democrat, one of just seven in the 60-member Wyoming legislature, stood up Thursday and said he could not support the bill because he was Jewish. “In this bill, page 9, line 19 states, ‘The teaching of history must be neutral, without judgment,’” state Rep. Andy Schwartz said during debate. “Now, how can that be possible? If I were a Native...
(JNS) — Neo-Nazis in Florida. Synagogue desecration in Chicago. Regular assaults in Brooklyn, N.Y. When it comes to antisemitism in America, it’s time to start connecting the dots. “If we’re going to better understand the nature and scope of the threats, we need the FBI to lead, taking everyone out of their silo, getting all the information that they’re uniquely positioned to get, and then having a desk that’s going to review things and have access to other agencies — domestic and otherwise — in order for us to quantify and qualify what’s...
BOSTON (JTA) — For nearly a month, a small liberal arts college just miles outside of Boston has been roiled by a spate of hate incidents, including antisemitic graffiti and threatening racist language, prompting the school to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved. The incidents at Curry College, located in Milton, a suburb south of Boston, began Jan. 27, when International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed worldwide, with reports of drawings of swastikas and discriminatory and h...
BBYO holds largest Jewish gathering since the pandemic began By Ron Kampeas BALTIMORE (JTA) — More than 3,000 teenagers from 40 countries attended a BBYO convention in what is believed to be the largest Jewish gathering since the beginning of the pandemic. A release from the organizations said the event at the Baltimore Convention Center running Feb. 17-21 focused on Jewish philanthropy and Jewish education. Speakers included Mike Posner, a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter; Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of New York’s Central Synagogue, who fie...
(JTA) — One week ago, Jews outside of Ukraine knew Volodymyr Zelensky as the world leader on the other end of the “perfect phone call” that resulted in the impeachment of President Donald Trump. But now, after days of watching Zelensky balance humor and gravitas while rallying his fellow Ukrainians to rebuff the Russian army invasion, they know him as a contemporary Jewish hero. “Zelensky gives modern Maccabee energy,” Peter Fox, a writer, wrote on Twitter. Fox was referring to the ancient Jews who, though outflanked in every way, fended of...
(Israel Hayom via JNS) -One of Israel's most curious mysteries was solved on Sunday when the identity of the artist who created the small bronze menorah that stands on the Knesset grounds was finally revealed. The Knesset Menorah is one of the most recognized and revered state symbols in Israel's history. Israel's parliament is home to more than one menorah statue. Most famously, a seven-branched menorah stands just outside the Knesset plaza. It towers 4.30 meters high, 3.5 meters wide (14 feet...
(JNS) - A Jewish man from Ann Arbor, Mich., is hoping that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether anti-Jewish protesters outside a local synagogue on Shabbat morning violate his right to freely practice religion. "I think Jews have to stand up for themselves against people who are obviously Jew-haters," says Marvin Gerber. "People of Beth Israel have the right to be free from harassment." The case stems from weekly anti-Israel and anti-Jewish protests led by Henry Herskovitz in front of...
WASHINGTON (JTA) - Julie Platt is a one-time banker who has become a leader in promoting Jewish education and helping to rescue Jewish camping from the ravages of the pandemic. Now, she's about to make history as the second woman to chair one of the largest Jewish fundraising powerhouses in the United States, the Jewish Federations of North America. She's also musical star Ben Platt's mom. The JFNA on Tuesday said that Platt would assume the leadership of the umbrella body for Jewish federations...
Jewish Academy of Orlando's Rejoicing in our Roots Gala: Celebrating 45 years of Jewish Education in Central Florida takes place on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 6:30 p.m., at the brand new Winter Park Event Center, 1052 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park. The event will honor four of JAO's superstar educators - Penny Gold, Vicki Peisner, Ann Montgomery and Karen Willoughby. Together, these outstanding honorees have educated hundreds of JAO alumni and have a combined 95 years with the school. Celebrating...
Hadassah Orlando's monthly in-person luncheon meeting on March 1 features well-known Orlando area jeweler Tony Tsirigotis from Park Jewelers in Lake Mary. Hadassah Orlando's monthly luncheon meeting takes place at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations are available through Nancy Greenfield at Nancyg357@yahoo.com. Luncheon price is $18. With nearly 40 years in the jewelry industry, Tsirigotis is a widely acclaimed expert in...
