Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Jewish Academy of Orlando students celebrated Sukkot and Simchat Torah at Temple Israel and Congregation Ohev Shalom. The Jewish holidays at Jewish Academy of Orlando have always been special. This year, the holidays were even more memorable as the students celebrated with their friends, teachers, and the community at two local synagogues. On Sukkot, students visited Temple Israel where they celebrated by participating in services, visiting the Sukkah, using the Lulav and Etrog, hearing... Full story
An 18th anniversary is a meaningful milestone for a Jewish organization-one that surely warrants a glitzy black-tie affair. But the Jewish Pavilion's Gems and Jeans 2018, to be held Oct. 28, was deliberately designed to be a more laid-back and "haimish" (welcoming) party, where fun and friends are the main focus and where the simple good works of the Pavilion's hundreds of volunteers are honored and celebrated. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour with appetizers, while guests can view... Full story
The Holocaust Center will share the story of Irena Sendler at the annual Kristallnacht commemoration, Nov. 4. Sendler's story will be told by actor and playwright Libby Skala, whose one-woman show had a successful run at the London Fringe Festival. Skala will bring to dramatic life the true story of Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker who defied Nazi rule to organize an underground network that successfully rescued 2,500 Jewish children from certain death in the Warsaw ghetto during WWII.... Full story
Untold Stories of IDF Soldiers Tour is coming to the United States Oct. 14 - 28, and will be in Orlando Oct. 24 and 25. The Tour, sponsored by StandWithUs, has six teams of reservists who will travel in pairs to various parts of the country to speak about their never-been-told-before personal experiences upholding the strict IDF moral code while fighting an enemy that hides behind its civilians. Putting a "human face" on the IDF, they also discuss their struggles, their successes, and their hope... Full story
Rabbi Yisrael and Tamar Abisror, Yehudi educators, have joined the Central Florida Hillel staff at The University of Central Florida. In an unprecedented demonstration of Jewish unity, these two organizations have joined together with a commitment to focus on developing a vibrant, connected and dynamic Jewish community at America's largest undergraduate institution. "What is unique about this relationship that we have created is that it is the first of its kind where two national Jewish... Full story
Since its beginning in 2014, RAISE has grown in many ways. Still keeping the number of employees at seven-RAISE has been able to fine tune the program that greatly benefits not only those who are employed by RAISE, but their families as well. RAISE, an acronym for Recognizing Abilities & Inclusion of Special Employees, is a work and social skills training program that provides paid employment within partnering agencies of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. With their newly acquired... Full story
Chabad will present “History of Jews in the Mob: An evening with Myron Sugerman” on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Nate’s Shul, 1701 Markham Woods Rd., Longwood, and Wednesday, Oct. 17 at Chabad South Orlando, 7347 W Sand Lake Road, Orlando. Myron Sugerman, author of “The Chronicles of The Last Jewish Gangster: From Meyer to Myron,” was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938 during the mob’s glory days. At the age of 21, he followed his father’s footsteps into the family business—coin-operated amusements. Like his father, Barney “Sugie... Full story
On Sunday, Nov. 4, Temple Israel Sisterhood, together with friends and community members, will head south to Pompano Beach for a day of adventure and camaraderie. There will be bagels, snacks and water, and a comedy video and movie to view on the drive down. It always makes for a very pleasant and fast ride! Attendees can arrange to meet their South Florida family and friends at the Food Court, for additional enjoyment. First stop will be the famous Festival Flea Market where everyone can shop... Full story
Chanukah comes early this year-beginning on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 2. Once again, Joanne Berman and Bernice Cleveland will have wonderful gifts available for the holiday on display in The Roth Family JCC lobby from Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. "Don't miss out on the wonderful opportunity to do your Chanukah shopping at the JCC Maitland," said Berman.... Full story
Just about every Monday, residents of Savannah Court and Cove Assisted Living in Maitland enjoy an Ice Cream Social and play a group card game called "Lotto." It's a fun program of the Jewish Pavilion that's run by volunteers, and it's a great way for residents to socialize and be entertained. Residents of all backgrounds and faiths are welcomed, and for many it is a highlight of their week. Savannah Court marketing relations director, Meg Wilson, and other staff wanted to find a way to get resi... Full story
This year, Jewish Academy of Orlando extended recess for all grades to 45 minutes, which for some students is an increase of 125 percent from the 2017-18 school year. In addition to extended recess time, lunch for all grades was increased to 30 minutes, and a mid-morning break of 15 minutes was included in the daily schedule. In recent years, many schools have lessened the amount of time that students spend in free play. In fact, experts find that the decrease may be significantly impacting the... Full story
Temple Israel members take a break from their wine and cheese party on Wednesday, Sept. 26, to show off their "Pink Shabbat" T-shirts in the sukkah. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Temple Israel had a special Shabbat service, "Sisterhood & Sharsheret: Empowering Jewish Women," on Saturday, Oct. 6 in the Rein Sanctuary. The special service featured guest speaker and survivor Geanne Share. Sharsheret is a Jewish breast and ovarian cancer organization. Temple Israel's... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion organizes intergenerational programs throughout the year. Middle school and high school students can be found sitting with senior residents discussing various topics that have included current events, stereotyping and personal experiences. At times these meetings are one-on-one conversations and on other occasions a small group gathers to share experiences and learn from each other. Several times during the year, a group of students from Ohev Shalom, along with their... Full story
On Sunday, Oct. 7, at Flemings Steakhouse in Winter Park, there will be a "Smashed Cancer" whiskey, wine and beer event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a precursor to "Smash Cancer," which is a tennis tournament to raise funds for oral cancer screenings and Human Papillomavirus, better known as HPV, vaccinations. There will be a Smash Cancer tennis tournament at the USTA National Campus in Orlando on Saturday, Nov. 3. However, if you don't play tennis, or aren't even interested in tennis,... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida is pleased to announce that it is working with March of the Living, Southern Region USA to award annual scholarships to students from the greater Orlando area to be funded through the Tess and Abe O. Wise March of the Living Endowment Fund. The International March of the Living, which next year will be held from April 28-May 12, 2019, is an educational program bringing teens from around the world to both Poland and Israel to study... Full story
(JNS)—Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic candidate running for governor of Florida, has associated with the radical left-wing group Dream Defenders, whose founder, Phillip Agnew, has ties to Ahmad Abuznaid, a supporter of the U.S.-designated terrorist group the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). This development comes amid Gillum’s opponent, Rep. Ron DeSantis, attacking the Democrat in a TV campaign ad for having “anti-Semites around him,” such as welcoming the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)... Full story
COS Seniors president Who can join? Do I need to be Jewish or a member of Congregation Ohev Shalom (COS)? No to both questions. You do not need to be Jewish or a member of COS. Everyone is always welcome, regardless of religion, affiliation, age, or anything. Will there be a COS Senior’s Group for 2018-2019? Yes. I will continue as the COS Senior’s president, and have received a very strong commitment from our COS Executive Board & The Men’s Club Executive Board. They will be helping our group & supporting our programming. Is the dues struc... Full story
One of the biggest surprises of last year's Men's Night Out-which is happening again on Nov. 8 at Congregation Ohev Shalom-was the "reunion" that occurred between men who, because of work, different synagogue memberships and commitments, had not seen each other in years. Ken Davis, COS Men's Club Board member and JCC board member, summed up the evening saying there was "great food, lots of laughs, and best of all having fun with old and new friends." Michael Soll, COS Men's Club Board member... Full story
The Kinneret Council of Aging’s (KCOA) Annual 8 over 80 Honorary Dinner is designed to recognize area residents who have contributed to the betterment of the Central Florida community. Who will be the newest honorees? On Sunday, March 3, 2019, KCOA will pay tribute to eight individuals over the age of 80 who have made significant contributions in the Central Florida area and continue to live lives of remarkable achievement, vitality and civic engagement. This coveted honor is one of the most prestigious awards for older adults in our c... Full story
The High Holidays are always extra busy at the Jewish Pavilion. Staff and volunteers went to senior living facilities all over Orlando last month to bring High Holidays celebrations to Jewish residents. Many of the residents have difficulty leaving their buildings for religious services, so the Pavilion's programs are their only way of observing the holidays with other members of the Jewish community. The programs bring them the familiar High Holidays traditions and symbols such as apples... Full story
Political newbie Tracey Kagan won the Democratic primary spot for Florida State House 29 against her primary opponent, Darryl Block, with 66.8 percent of the vote in all 34 precincts. "This win is a pinch-me moment and a dream come true," said Kagan. "It is also the culmination of months of speaking with the voters of District 29, knocking doors, calling and really listening. What I heard is that our families care passionately about public education, affordable healthcare, common-sense gun legis... Full story
Keith Dvorchik, CEO of The Roth Family JCC, announced that Jacob "Jake" Silverman has been hired to fill the security director position vacated by Andy Brennan. He will assume his new position on Oct. 3. Brennan is relocating in the middle of October. "Andy has been a wonderful addition to our team and we will miss his presence and hope he returns to visit us in Central Florida often," said Dvorchik in a safety update. Silverman has been in security and law enforcement for more than 30 years.... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando announced that it has received a grant under the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Areas Security Initiative. The grant, which totals almost $130,000, is the only one of its kind for the Orlando area this year. For several years, members of Congress from Central Florida have pressured the federal government to include Orlando in the special program. Led by Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-7th district), the delegation argued that Orlando’s position as a national tourist destination made it a top... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando announced that it is providing gifted training for the entire faculty. "From the coding and robotics teacher to the Hebrew language teachers, all faculty are participating in the training," Alan Rusonik, head of school, stated. Teachers began gifted endorsement training in March 2018 and will complete their endorsements by June of 2019. Bryan Demeritte from Suncoast Education Center and an author of the Standards for Gifted Curriculum in the state of Florida conducts th... Full story
A warm, sweet noodle kugel makes a wonderful goodwill ambassador. Throw in bagels and lox and apple cake alongside breakfast staples such as boiled eggs and oatmeal, and you’ve got yourself a satisfied and receptive crowd. That’s what Nancy Ludin, CEO of the Jewish Pavilion, aims for when she hosts breakfasts at the Maitland Chamber of Commerce with the help of staff and volunteers. “The Jewish Pavilion is an important public relations force for Jewish culture in the wider community,” said Ludin. “Anything we can do to make people feel posi... Full story
