Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 1530 - 1554 of 3584
More than 350 women and men converged on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus on the evening of March 26 for Choices, a community tradition that took on a bold, new look for its 24th year. Themed "Women Transforming Lives," this year's fundraiser in support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando was all about transformations, starting with the venue, the Roth Family JCC gymnasium, which was draped, staged, decked out and lighted in dramatic fashion to create a formal yet intimate... Full story
Five hundred and fifty students, faculty and community members partook in the largest Shabbat dinner ever held at UCF on Feb. 23 in the Pegasus Ballroom. The annual Mega Shabbat was called "Shabbat of Champions," a nod to the undefeated UCF Knights. With many Stoneman Douglas High School alumni in attendance, the event was also a moving tribute to the victims of the tragic Parkland High School shooting, which had taken place just one week prior to Shabbat of Champions. To honor the victims, the... Full story
When Gov. Rick Scott arrived at the Orlando Torah Academy last week, he leaned down and asked every child their name. Scott wasn't there just to meet the children, he came with a two-fold purpose. The school was the backdrop for a legislation signing ceremony of HB 545, the "scrutinized-companies" bill, which prevents companies that boycott Israel from bidding on local or state government contracts. "This bill shows the world that Florida will not do business with those that boycott Israel,"... Full story
Every month, RAISE chooses one employee to honor as employee of the month in the RAISE program. This month Ashley Magill was chosen. Magill works at Hillel one day a week helping to set the tables for more than 100 guests for Shabbat dinner. Her job coach, Paula Breeden, doesn't have to do much coaching, as Magill keeps the Hillel welcome table stocked with give aways, replenishes snacks, and takes inventory of the supply closet. "[Ashley] has great attention to detail and is excellent at... Full story
It is often said that enthusiasm can be contagious. It is the enthusiasm exemplified by volunteer Carina Gerscovich that has been contagious, and, likewise, successful with furthering the work of The Jewish Pavilion. To commemorate her generous donation of time and resources, The Jewish Pavilion has named Gerscovich as the official honoree for the 2018 Elayne Burke Wershil Fashion Show. Gerscovich initially became involved with the Jewish Pavilion two years ago. A lunch meeting with Nancy... Full story
Each month, students in Temple Israel and Temple Shir Shalom’s collaborative religious school, the Meitin Alliance for Growth and Learning, participate in collecting food for the JFS Orlando Pearlman Food Pantry based on a fun theme. The theme for the March collection was “birthday party” and included cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, and candles. The focus of this collection theme goes along with the MAGAL Mitzvah Day planned for April 8, during which students will assemble “Birthday in a Box” kits to donate to the Foundation for Foster Children... Full story
Is there a feminine form of the word 'mensh'? What about menschah or menschat? The name which comes to mind is Harriet Moldau. To know Harriet is to know enthusiasm, knowledge, sincere kindness, deep Jewish traditions and forever willingness to volunteer and make a difference in the lives of residents in our senior living communities. Harriet has lead Yiddish classes at Brookdale Island Lake for the past several months. Her enthusiasm and expertise has enriched dozens of seniors who attend... Full story
The observance of Passover has begun at facilities serviced by The Jewish Pavilion. During the next four weeks there are over 29 opportunities to help program directors host a seder table for our elders living in senior care. Call the main office at The Jewish Pavilion to volunteer. 407-678-9363.... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion's Inter-generational program was at Village on the Green with students from Congregation Ohev Shalom. They all gathered together to discuss Passover at a deeper level. From Moses freeing his people to our freedom today; from the Women's rights then and now; and how the students of today are trying to have their voices heard after the tragedy last month at Stoneman Douglas High School. The student were informed, with something to say and the seniors brought a wealth of... Full story
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah recently held the Bunny Rosen Women's Heart Health Fashion Show Luncheon at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park. This year's event was a fundraising triumph, amassing record funds in support of Hadassah's Women's Heart Health Initiative "Every Beat Counts." The funds from this luncheon promote heart health awareness, training and information to women in the greater Orlando area as well as for research to unravel the mysteries of heart disease through the Hadassah Medica... Full story
On March 15, Joel Berger, CEO of the Rosen JCC, unveiled its newly named lobby in honor of David and Jacqueline Siegel's daughter, Victoria, who died of a drug overdose at the age of 18 on June 6, 2015. The Early Childhood Learning Center's two-year-olds opened the program miming a song that said "Give a little hug and make the world a better place." Later, thanking the JCC for this honor, Jacqueline Siegel shared that Victoria had been two years old when she first brought her to the JCC.... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando recently announced its leadership path for the next two fiscal years (starting Sept. 1, 2018) and confirmed the responsibilities of interim lay and executive leadership that will be in place until that time. The organization has continued reshaping its priorities in serving the Central Florida Jewish community. Effective March 1, Rhonda Forest stepped down as president of the JFGO Board of Directors to allow her to focus on her service as acting... Full story
Raise a toast to a good cause while enjoying spectacular views of downtown Orlando at the Citrus Club's April 16 happy hour honoring the Jewish Pavilion and its important work with senior citizens. A ticket purchase of only $15 to the Club's "United For A Purpose" event provides an evening of hors d'oeuvres and a drink, along with raffle prizes and networking. Proceeds from the event will be donated toward the Pavilion's mission, which serves to connect the elder-care population to the Jewish co... Full story
Central Floridians will have the opportunity to hear a compelling Holocaust survival story from local author Joanie Schirm. On April 3, she will speak on her incredible global research of her father's letters from nearly 80 years ago, which detail his flight from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, taking refuge in China, and moving to the USA. This special event is sponsored by Holocaust Memorial Research and Education Center of Florida, and The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando. The pre... Full story
Rabbi Jeffrey Solomon of the Traditional Congregation of Mount Dora is starting a Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop that will meet once a week at the synagogue (the day of the week has not been decided yet). All boys and girls of all faiths, ages 10 to 17, are welcome to join Cub Scout Pack 18 and Boy Scout Troop 18. (Rabbi Solomon wanted the number to be 613, but it was taken.) Rabbi Solomon explained that there are scouting packs and troops in the area, however most of the activities are held on Saturdays, which presented a challenge to... Full story
Secretary of State Ken Detzner and the Florida Department of State announced the second annual “March of Museums” celebrating the variety and versatility of museums in Florida’s communities. In 2017, the department piloted March of Museums with partner museums in Tallahassee. Building on this successful launch, the 2018 March of Museums has expanded statewide to include the vast and diverse array of museums that populate the Sunshine State. “As Florida’s chief cultural officer, I am proud of the success of last year’s ‘March of Museums’ and... Full story
The application deadline is approaching for 2018-19 Ronald Colman Israel Scholarships, administered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. The Federation will accept online applications through 5 p.m. March 30. Applicants should visit www.jfgo.org/jten for details. A review committee will select the scholarship recipients, who will be notified no later than April 30. The Ronald Colman Israel Scholarship Fund was made possible by a generous endowment established by the Colman family to encourage Jewish teens in the Greater Orlando area to... Full story
Over 60 delegates from Central Florida traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual AIPAC Policy Conference. The delegates included a strong showing of local college students and several high school students as well. After 2 1/2 days of general sessions filled with incredible speakers as well as breakout sessions, the group successfully lobbied our local congressmen, including Stephanie Murphy, Darren Soto and Valerie Demmings. Thanks to the AIPAC trip offered to congressmen, all three... Full story
The Kinneret Council on Aging, a non-profit agency that provides ongoing programs and services to residents of Kinneret Apartments, held their 2018, 8 over 80 Gala on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Over 200 guests attended the festive gala to celebrate the accomplishment of the honorees. Guests were entertained with video's featuring each honoree and their unique accomplishments. A delicious dinner was also provided by George's Gourmet Catering. All in attendance agreed that this delightful event was a... Full story
Edna Woolman Chase, a former editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine who is often credited as creator of the world's first fashion show, once said, "Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." With this quote in mind, the creation of a memoriam to honor Elayne Burke Wershil seems most fitting at this year's Jewish Pavilion spring fashion show, to be held Thursday, April 12, at the Mall of Millenia. For while fashion was her love, it was her style that makes her most memorable. Wershil, an active... Full story
Choices, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando’s annual women’s philanthropy event, is a little more than a week away—the evening of March 26 at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center in Maitland. Choices gives women in the local Jewish community an opportunity to socialize, catch up with old friends and make new ones, all while supporting the local Jewish community. In addition to the gifts they make to the Federation’s 2018 Annual Campaign, women at Choices also support the Federation through the very popular Choices Raffle. The raffle... Full story
Family and friends, old and new, unite to mark the beginning of Passover with food, drink, song, and, of course, the retelling of the Exodus story at the Congregation of Reform Judaism Community Second-Night Seder at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the synagogue. This is the third year for the traditional interactive service, which has shown increased popularity, with last year’s attendance doubling the first. Led by clergy aid Gary Becker and with guitar accompaniment by talented CRJ youth, this event offers an opportunity for the c... Full story
Celebration Jewish Congregation’s Second Night of Passover Seder Dinner Service will take place on Saturday, March 31, 5 p.m., with Rabbi Dr. Richard M. Cowin officiating the Passover service. A comprehensive, yet expeditious seder service will be achieved using the 30-Minute Seder Haggadah. This year’s seder will be conducted at The Artisan Club, 1343 Celebration Avenue, Celebration, FL 34747. The Seder is the most significant event in the Passover celebration, gathering family and friends together to observe the holiday in a meaningful way... Full story
Congregation Ohev Shalom Sisterhood invites the community to an evening of display cooking, recipe sharing and tasting of Passover desserts. The event is on Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at they synagogue, located at 613 Concourse Parkway in Maitland. A suggested donation is $5. RSVP to Susan at susan@thehochstadts.com or call 407-284-1924. Please bring new or gently used bras and/or feminine hygiene products to be donated to local women’s shelters.... Full story
Young professionals from Orlando JNFuture and students from UCF Hillel attended a Passover cooking class at UCF Hillel taught by Myrna Ossin. Attendees assembled their own matzo lasagna and learned how to make their own macaroons and Passover bagels. They also learned about different cooking accessories and tips that make cooking easier. "Every Passover cookbook is geared toward cooking for the Passover Seder," Ossin said. "My book gives tons of Passover recipe options for the remaining seven... Full story
