Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3305 - 3329 of 3615
It is the first of its kind. EVENTful Moments is a one-stop showcase that is everything, and more than anyone planning a bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, or a party in Orlando could ask for. This isn't a mega-convention with dozens of vendors. "We've done the work for you and narrowed the field to a select few caterers, DJs, florists, photographers and videographers, invitation specialists, and event planners," said event co-chairwoman Joy Bochner. Twenty-six of Central Florida's finest event vendors... Full story
Dr. Laurence Kotler-Berkowitz, senior director of Research and Analysis, Jewish Federations of North America hosted a community consultation on The Pew Research Center Study of the American Jews and other recent demographic studies of the Jewish community at the Maitland campus on Dec. 12. Prior to joining JFNA in 2000, he held a lectureship at Haifa University and a post-doctoral fellowship at Hebrew University. He graduated magna cum laude in Judaic studies from Brown University; earned an... Full story
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah will present Saving Heartbeats at its luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Congregation Ohev Shalom at 11:30 a.m. The meeting is open to all who are interested in attending. Saving Heartbeats is a CPR class aimed at teaching the basic life-saving techniques to women so they may understand what is needed to act in an emergency situation and hopefully encourage them to follow through and become certified in CPR. This is the second year that Hadassah has offered this program. Two days after last year’s class, H... Full story
On Monday, Dec. 2nd, Chabad at UCF paired with Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and Zeta Beta Tau for a Grand Menorah lighting and toy drive. The toy drive benefitted Jewish Adoptions and Foster Care Options (JAFCO), an organization providing services to abused and neglected children in Florida. More than 200 students attended the event that took place at Light Up UCF outside the CFE Arena. In addition to the a grand menorah lighting, there was food, Chanukah music, and discounted rides.... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's Choices planning is moving at full speed. This year, Choices will feature a Broadway-style revue of the history of our community. The more than 100 performers onstage promise it will be an unforgettable event. Here at work behind the scene are some of the Table captains writing note cards. Also, video filming of the past recipients of the Harriet Ginsburg Women of Choice has started. The videos will be previewed at Choices.... Full story
Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando Board members are busy at work to raise funds for the Shaping the Future Annual Campaign. Here are some of them at a recent phone-a-thon.... Full story
November and December were busy months for the Jewish Federation's business and professional societies-Maimonides Medical, Cardozo Legal, Real Estate and Financial Services. The Federation partnered with Israel Bonds in November to host Captain Hadar from the Israeli Air Force, who shared the complexity of maintaining Israel's skies secure from terrorism. In December, the societies hosted an event with Talia Levanon, executive director of the Israel Trauma Coalition. Levanon shared her... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion honored volunteers Toby Vandemark and Faye Novick in early December at the Altamonte Hilton. More than 100 attendees enjoyed a gourmet luncheon, a Chico's fashion presentation and a unique shopping experience with vendors galore.... Full story
The Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando is hosting Twelve24: Orlando’s Jewish Party of the Year on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 9 p.m. at Elixir in downtown Orlando. The event will provide an exciting option of something to do for young Jewish adults on a night when other establishments are typically closed. “We are very excited to host this party,” said Robby Etzkin, assistant executive director at the Roth JCC. “This is something for which the Orlando Jewish community has really shown a need.” Instead of eating Chinese food and watching... Full story
Here is a special opportunity to hear a first-hand account from someone whose life intersected with one of the most compelling figures in recent history. On Feb. 9, 2014, Chabad of Orlando will host an evening with Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, who will share her experiences as the childhood friend and stepsister of Anne Frank, including accounts of the publishing of Anne's famed diary. The presentation will be suitable for teenagers and families of all faiths. In 1938, Germany invaded... Full story
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Division event, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is shaking things up at this year’s Choices by showing the Jewish women of Orlando how important they are in shaping the Jewish community. To commemorate an extraordinary 20 years, JFGO has hired a world-class producer to create a one-of-a-kind Broadway-style revue celebrating Jewish life in Central Florida. With more than 100 performers, the program will showcase amazing talent, including Yow Dance, Central Florida’s modern dance... Full story
The Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando plans to celebrate the successful completion of its Roth JCC Renovation Project on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. at the Roth JCC’s courtyard playground. The courtyard playground, located inside their Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center, represents the last major project to be completed within the fundraising endeavor. The project was launched in mid-2012 with the purpose of enhancing the overall experience of the JCC. Projects included updating the swimming a... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center in Maitland is known for hosting significant exhibits that help visitors explore the history and lessons of mankind’s darkest times. The Center’s newest exhibit, Tempted, Misled, Slaughtered: The Short Life of Hitler Youth, Paul B, is a rare combination of history with great modern-day implications. This collection from the Florida Holocaust Museum investigates how young people became involved in Nazi activities; more important, it asks what those powers of persuasion mean for today’s youth... Full story
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah will present awards to five of its members on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014. This event will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Altamonte Springs, beginning at 11 a. m. The awardees are Rita and George Slotnick and Joan Schwebel, PhD, who will receive the coveted Myrtle Wreath Award. Rita Weissmann, another award-winning member, will be presented with Hadassah’s Love of a Lifetime Award, and finally, Marcia Wasserman will be given the honors for Woman of the Year Award. Join Hadassah in honoring these people who have g... Full story
More than 40 of Jewish National Fund (JNF)'s Women for Israel (WFI) supporters attended "A Night at the Museum" at Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College on Nov. 20. Director of the gallery, Ena Heller, was the docent for the evening as the ladies viewed exhibit Auktion 392: Reclaiming the Galerie Stern, Düsseldorf. WFI Orlando chairwoman, Debbie Meitin, gave an update on JNF's important work in Israel. Shown here (l-r): Monica DiGiovanni, Judy Kahan, WFI Orlando Chairwoman Debbie Meitin,... Full story
Jewish National Fund (JNF) Orlando Board of Directors member Jill Riola hosted a JNF luncheon for professionals at Carlton Fields on Nov. 20. The event was focused around JNF partner, LOTEM- Making Nature Accessible. JNF-LOTEM liaison Alisa Bodner spoke to the group on the organizations efforts that offers outings, nature clubs and creative workshops in outdoor settings to over 30,000 children and adults in Israel each year who are visually and hearing impaired, physically and intellectually... Full story
Congregation Beth Israel of Ocala invites the community to a special program titled “Jews in the Civil War” to be held on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 7171 SR 200 in Ocala. The program will be presented by Channah Zimmerman who will relate, dramatize and chronicle the history of the Jews during the Civil War era from both sides of the conflict. Tickets are $8 per person and also include refreshments. Tickets may be purchased from Mary (352 2056), Judi (352 237-8277, Sonia (352 307-3662), or Estelle (35... Full story
Like all Jewish families, candle lighting and gift exchange was added to the evening routine for the eight nights of Chanukah. For the Colley, Keimach, Yoffee and Shapiro families the seventh night was set aside for the residents at Chambrel Island Lake. The children prepared a program of singing, story-telling, blessings over the Chanukiah and kibbitzing with dozens of elderly residents. The Jewish Pavilion thanks all its dedicated volunteers. Shown here are Ella and Ben Colley with their... Full story
The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society has been awarded a Florida Humanities Council Grant in support of a two-day commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the largest mass arrest of rabbis in United States history. The arrests took place during protest demonstrations that ultimately led to the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The rabbis came to St. Augustine after receiving a request from Reverend Martin Luther King. Since 1971 the Florida Humanities Council has awarded more... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has an exciting new initiative in the works. In March 2014, RAISE (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees) will be rolled out to the community. RAISE is a JFGO program that will offer a part-time paid work experience to adults with special needs. JFGO will work with local Jewish organizations to place special needs adults in job roles. By providing a part-time work experience, RAISE will offer each adult with special needs that... Full story
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando has announced that the honoree for its annual J Ball event will be community philanthropist Bruce Gould. Gould will be recognized for his philanthropic accomplishments and his ongoing engagement in helping to make a difference locally and abroad -particularly in Orlando, New York and Israel. This year's J Ball will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. This event will be uniquely special as it commemorates the... Full story
Plans are well underway for The Kinneret Council on Aging's (KCOA) fourth annual 8 over 80 Honorary Dinner that will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. The event recognizes individuals over the age of 80 who continue to contribute to the Jewish community through their volunteer and philanthropy efforts. This year's honorees are a dedicated and dynamic group of individuals. Nominated by Madeline Wolly, Ruth Goldhar is still a vibrant active 90-year-old woman. She moved to Central Florida in 1956... Full story
On Nov. 25, the UCF Knights For Israel invited Sgt. Benjamin Anthony (IDF Reserves) of the Our Soldiers Speak organization, to speak on the state of Israel from a combat soldiers perspective. Anthony spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of more than 125 people, receiving three standing ovations. In the course of his lecture, Anthony humbly transformed himself from a battle-tested, heavy-machine gunner into a statesman. He prefaced his presentation by expressing to the audience he does not view... Full story
A central tenet of Zionism is that Jews share a common heritage and destiny. Nevertheless, the reality of Jewish society in the state of Israel is marked by four prominent social and geo-cultural divisions: Orthodox observant vs. secular, veteran settlers vs. new immigrants, the haves vs. the have-nots and geo-cultural origin (European vs. Middle Eastern or Oriental). The last dimension has often been the source of ethnic humor—gefilte fish vs. shish kebab, but is in fact, a serious ”kulturkampf” over the image of the country. Left wing criti... Full story
Jewish Pavilion volunteer, Penny D'Agostino, has been leading a choir for seniors at Horizon Bay for more than two years. Singing releases endorphins into your system and makes you feel energized and uplifted. People who sing are healthier than people who don't. Singing gives the lungs a workout, it tones abdominal, intercostal muscles and the diaphragm, and also stimulates circulation. Singing makes us breathe more deeply than many forms of strenuous exercise, so we take in more oxygen,... Full story
