Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is accepting applications for Community Collaborative Grants for summer 2017 and the 2017-18 program year. Federation expects to award a total of $50,000 in this round of grants. The grants are available for programs and services that are collaborative in nature and address an unmet need in the Greater Orlando Jewish community. The Federation debuted its Community Collaborative Grants initiative in 2015, awarding $100,000 to 18 programs and services in 2015-16. The programs that benefited from the Federa... Full story
On April 6, more than 100 students, their parents and Orlando residents attended the first "Answering Difficult Questions About Israel" workshop at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center in Maitland, Fla. It was organized by Spark Orlando and the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. Representing StandWithUs were Ron Krudo and Rayna Rose Exelbierd, who presented the program. Israel is so often a topic of conversation these days that it is no surprise that pro-Israel people are challenged regula... Full story
More than 100 guests gathered at Jewish Pavilion's "Spring into Fashion" event at Bloomingdales in Orlando on April 20, for a morning of friendship, fashion, fun and to raise funds for senior programs provided by the nonprofit for elder-care residents throughout Orlando. A handful of Pavilion volunteers graciously served as runway models as Jennifer Bentson, Bloomingdale's public relations specialist, shared the latest fashion trends. Bentson pointed out seasonal trends including lightweight... Full story
Leaders from the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council met with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL, at his Orlando office on April 14. Nelson, a longtime ally of the American Jewish community and of Israel, expressed his continuing support for Greater Orlando’s Jewish community institutions. JFGO is working with Nelson’s office to find federal grant monies to fund security improvements on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. From left: JFGO President Rhonda Forest, JFGO Executive Director Olga... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center's annual Dinner of Tribute recognized Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for his advocacy and commitment to better the lives of all of Orlando's citizens. The award and its purpose were explained by the Holocaust Center's Executive Director Pam Kancher and Board President Mark Freid. Mayor Bill Frederick introduced Mayor Dyer and recognized his effective response to the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting. Other highlights of the evening included... Full story
There is a new "animal" in town and it is called "genus jewishacademius." This unique species has a love of learning and a strong connection to its Jewish heritage. In all seriousness, the first grade students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando have been studying all about animals and animal classifications. As a culminating activity, they had an incredible visit to the Brevard Zoo! The students were able to interact, touch, and feed real animals. The "animalia" presentation and the train ride all... Full story
Sunday afternoon, April 23, six Holocaust survivors lit candles to commemorate the loss of six million Jews during World War II at the hands of the Third Reich. A seventh candle was lit to honor those who helped rescue and hide Jewish people at their own risk, and their liberators. Shown here are six of the survivors (l-r) Pierre Haskenson, Sonja Marchesano, Henri Goodheim, Helen Greenspun and Abraham Gold. Tess Wise is in the inset shown lighting the first candle. The service was held at... Full story
By Christine DeSouza There are many dedicated people at The Roth Family JCC. How does one select just one to receive the Harriet Weiss JCC Legacy Award? This award was established last year to recognize one person who has paved the way for others and leave a legacy for others to carry the torch for future generations. The award itself was named in honor of its first recipient – Harriet Weiss, who's name is practically synonymous with the JCC 39ers, the main stage theater program and the C... Full story
This May, Jewish Academy of Orlando celebrates women at its second annual Lady Luck, A Night Out with the Girls. The school invites all women for a night of fashion, food, wine and live music. "There is no event like this," says Alan Rusonik, head of school. "This event is all about the women." Tuni will be hosting a fashion show featuring local moms. There will be live music playing while the ladies eat, drink, play casino games, pose in the photo booth and shop with some local vendors. "Grab... Full story
The Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish Foundation will honor all those who have remembered a Tampa or Pinellas Jewish organization with a gift in their wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or life insurance policies. This celebration for the Tampa and Pinellas communities will be on Tuesday evening, May 23, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland. At TOP, we believe that philanthropy is a family affair, so we’ve planned an evening for all generations. We’ll celebrate with delicious hors d’o... Full story
It is that time of year once again when Heritage Florida Jewish News is putting out feelers for one outstanding person in the Jewish community who has given his or her time or talent or monetary gifts to better the Orlando Jewish community. Nominations for the 2017 Heritage Human Service Award are now being accepted and the award will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. “For more than 27 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the C... Full story
Celebrating 39 years of commitment to serving the community, JFS Orlando is hosting its annual Spring Brunch on Sunday, May 21, 11 a.m. The event will be held at the historic Dubsdread Ballroom, located at 549 W. Par Street in Orlando. Individual tickets are $118 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Amanda Benedit at 407-644-7593 Ext. 227 or amanda.benedit@jfsorlando.org.... Full story
Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, is a moment to pause and honor the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust and reflect on the ways we carry their memory forward in our own lives. As the late Israeli President Shimon Peres once said at Yad Vashem, "The history of the Holocaust is not just a lesson from the past, it is also a lesson for the future." In this spirit, Central Florida Hillel recently hosted two Holocaust survivors, Henri Goodheim and Helen Greenspun, to meet... Full story
On April 4, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation were proud to host Eric Ross, Associate Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), for a fascinating and very timely discussion on “Anti-Semitism Today, Globally and Locally.” After a thoughtful welcome by Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, Ross, a graduate of the Hebrew Day School (now Jewish Academy of Orlando), led a rapt audience through a presentation outlining various contemporary forms of anti-Semitism and how ADL works to protect, inv... Full story
There are two events coming up at The Roth Family JCC. First, on Sunday, April 30, they will remember Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror at the annual Yom Hazikaron/Israel Memorial Day Ceremony. There will be a sing-a-long after the ceremony, which begins at 6:45 p.m. Complimentary babysitting will be available from 6:45 p.m. - 8 p.m. Advanced registration for babysitting is required by signing up at www.orlandojcc.org. The following Tuesday, May 2, it is time to celebrate Israel's... Full story
Congregation of Reform Judaism is holding an open house reception on May 7 at 1:30 p.m. at the synagogue, featuring a live performance of music by the HaZamir Orlando Chapter members-Alexa Schein, Hannah Schenkel, Harrison Burke, Vicki Geismar and Maya Milsom-who have just returned from singing at the Met with HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir. The Orlando chapter is part of an international network of 35 HaZamir chapters across the United States and Israel, including chapters... Full story
It is that time of year once again when Heritage Florida Jewish News is putting out feelers for one outstanding person in the Jewish community who has given his or her time or talent or monetary gifts to better the Orlando Jewish community. Nominations for the 2017 Heritage Human Service Award are now being accepted and the award will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. “For more than 27 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the C... Full story
AIPAC is hosting a program titled "The Dynamics of Israel's Technology Market" with Daniel Frankenstein, co-founder and managing partner at Janvest Capital Partners. This event will be held Tuesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom. Frankenstein will explore: • Why Israel packs a punch so far above its weight when it comes to economics and business. • Israel has the third largest number of companies traded on U.S. exchanges for a foreign country behind Canada and China. • Israe... Full story
On April 25, Rabbi Benjamin Blech will discuss his book and research in to the secrets that Michelangelo wove in to his painting at the Sistine Chapel. The event is being hosted by Chabad Centers of Orlando, and will take place at Chabad of Greater Orlando, 708 Lake Howell Road in Maitland. Rabbi Benjamin Blech is an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, author and lecturer. His latest book, "The Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo's Forbidden Messages in the Heart of the Vatican,"... Full story
Celebrate the "Magic of the J-Then, Now and Always" as The Roth Family JCC hosts its annual J Ball on Wednesday, May 10 at the Orlando Museum of Art. There will be heavy hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, live entertainment and a silent auction. During the program, Cathy Cotter, JCC music teacher for 34 years, will be presented the Harriet Weiss JCC Legacy Award (more about Cotter in next week's issue of the Heritage). The dress is "dressy casual," or "business/business casual." The cost is $95, per... Full story
For the residents at Brookdale Island Lake flowers came early thanks to Zack Goldberg of Alexis Home Care. Goldberg is happy to deliver "Friday Flowers" in time for the weekly Shabbat celebration (held at 4 p.m. and all are welcome to come) for all who attend. Dozens of residents come together each Shabbat for prayer, friendship and community. Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to become involved to enhance the Shabbat experience for the seniors in our community. Shown here are Zack Goldberg... Full story
What could be better than a family friendly Friday night Shabbat service and ice cream. Congregation Beth Am is hosting a Family Shabbat service on Friday, April 28, 7 p.m. This upbeat Shabbat will take place in a relaxed, youth-centered atmosphere that's both enjoyable and spiritual for the entire family. As an added bonus, CBA’s primary school students will be “enhancing” the service. And if yet that's not enough, CBA’s Kadima, USY and B’nai Mitzva class will serve ice cream to all. The entire community is invited. For more informati... Full story
A few weeks ago The Heritage ran a story about Central Florida residents Jules and Elyse Baclar, who are marathon runners. Now in their late 60s and early 70s, they are still running strong. Asher Ravede is on his way to following in their running shoes. On April 1, he was inducted into the Daytona Running Series Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Rayz Awareness 5K event. What makes this an extremely special event is that Ravede, son of James and Lisa Ravede of Ormond Beach and grandson of Joan Ravede... Full story
On Wednesday, April 26, Club L'Chaim and students at Lake Brantley High School will present a discussion about combating hate in current times. Titled "Never Again!" the keynote speaker of the program will be Gene Klein, a Holocaust survivor and author of "We Got The Water." Klein and his family were taken from their town in Hungary to Auschwitz in 1944. He was just 16 years old. Separated from his family, Klein was placed in a work camp. His story is one of resilience, and he has insight as to... Full story
A group of women dedicated to improving the world gathered March 30 at the home of Betsy Cohen for the annual reception of the Pomegranate Society, part of the Women's Philanthropy division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. Cohen and Lauren Bloom are co-chairs of the group. The Pomegranate Society was established in 1981 as a way to inspire giving from women who care deeply about the Jewish people. Today more than 125 Federations participate. The society recognizes a woman's annual... Full story
