Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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ORMOND BEACH-The Rabbi Transition Committee has announced the appointment of Rabbi Courtney Berman as the new rabbi of Temple Beth-El, as of July 1, 2016. "I am delighted that Rabbi Berman will be joining us at Temple Beth-El," said Co-President Rodd Gould. "We are committed to fostering a thriving Jewish community and are an inclusive and respectful community for all our congregants. Her leadership and full-time presence on will enable us to continue building the strong and vibrant environment... Full story
J-Serve is the International Day of Jewish Youth Service. Since 2005, J-Serve has been a part of Youth Service America's Global Youth Service Day weekend. J-Serve provides teens with the opportunity to fulfill the Jewish values of gemilut chasidim, acts of loving kindness, tzedakah, just and charitable giving, and tikkum olam, the responsibility to repair the world. Across the globe, teens join each other to make their community and the world a better place. J-Serve 2017 is in partnership with... Full story
The entire Orlando Jewish Community is getting together for a great evening of fun, unity and soccer. JOIN Orlando is partnering with Orlando City Soccer to create an unforgettable evening of Jewish Unity and fun. On Aug. 28, Orlando City Soccer is playing NYC-FC and JOIN Orlando has secured a large block of prime seating in section P13 to enable the entire community to come and participate. There is also a spacious and fully air-conditioned area that JOIN Orlando has exclusive rights for the entire night—a mere few steps from the reserved s... Full story
Pantry to Plate Chefs’ Challenge, hosted by JFS Orlando, is a unique dining event designed to test the culinary skills of three local celebrity chefs. This year, Francesco Aiello from Francesco’s Ristorante, Mark Baize from Roy’s Restaurant and Julie Casey from Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen will take on the challenge of preparing a delectable recipes with ingredients found in JFS Orlando’s Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry. This annual event will be held Sunday, Sept. 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Winter Park Civic Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd.,... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties would like to give back to the community at large for their help with their charitable causes by presenting America’s premier mentalist Sidney Friedman. The even will be held at Temple Beth-el, 579 North Nova Road, Ormond Beach, at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Called “the mentalist to the stars” by Forbes magazine for his many celebrity clients, Friedman will read minds and perform ESP, telepathy and premonitions. He has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s The View and CBS The Early show. Ple... Full story
Congregation Sinai, located at 303 A North Highway 27 in Minneola, has been very busy this summer. A new progressive service for Rosh Hashanah is planned for the second day. This service is open to the community and will last approximately one hour. It will be followed by brunch and study of the story of Rosh Hashanah. A limited number of tickets are available for the High Holidays. For more information, call the temple hot line, 352-243-5353. A new board has been elected with Peter Sobel as president, Sheila Goldman as vice president, Debbie... Full story
"With her ever-present beaming smile and cheerful enthusiasm, Susan Bierman has been a pivotal force in the dynamic growth of Orlando's Jewish community," wrote Bierman's nominator for the Heritage Human Service Award. That opening sentence in the nomination entry said it all. Bierman is packaged dynamite in a tiny frame. As Mark Cooper, Federation president from 1984-1986, said, "It was incredible to see someone so small in stature be so enormous in achievements!" Her "can do" attitude, mixed... Full story
"There comes a time when you have to make a decision, either to walk away and hope things fix themselves or take an active role in trying to make a positive difference." This is Abby Sanchez' belief and the reason why she is running for a position on the Seminole County School Board District 3-she wants to make a positive difference. Sanchez, who grew up in a Jewish household in Davie, Fla., has been on the "frontline" of the public school system as an elementary school teacher for 26 years.... Full story
Anyone who runs for a county judge position isn't doing it for the money, especially if they are successful as attorneys. This is certainly the case for Eric Dubois, who is an attorney running for Orange County judge. Dubois is a 2015 and 2016 Super Lawyer and holds an AV Preeminent Rating, the highest with Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, which reflects his respect among his peers and the over 200 endorsements from fellow attorneys and community organizations. In addition to practicing... Full story
During a roundtable with community leaders in Orlando on Friday, Hillary Clinton condemned the terrorist attack against the LGBT community that killed 49 Americans and injured dozens more at The Pulse nightclub in June. Clinton reiterated her commitment to addressing gun violence and disrupting global networks that terrorists use to execute these attacks. Pointing to the need to pull together against hate and bigotry, Clinton said, “We have to stand against hate and bigotry. I was really moved by everyone who stood in solidarity with the v... Full story
Congregation Beth Sholom, Lake County's oldest synagogue, will celebrate a Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. Unlike a traditional Shabbat service, the Kabbalat Shabbat features a welcoming of Shabbat with music and song. The service, led by Rabbi Karen Allen's vocals and keyboard along with the music of world-class violinist Zoriy Zinger (formerly of the Russian Symphony Orchestra), is a warm, joyous, and festive Shabbat Service celebrating the Jewish Spirit. Founded in the 1950s,... Full story
The Sisterhood women of Congregation Ohev Shalom had a fabulous evening at the Winey Wench in Altamonte Springs Mall. Chaired by Susan Hochstadt, the event, with more than 20 ladies in attendance, was enjoyed by all, as they drank wine, ate snacks, learned how to paint and kibitzed with friends. Ohev Shalom's Sisterhood has a program every third Thursday of each month.... Full story
There is a new excitement at the Jewish Academy of Orlando. The Head of School, Alan Rusonik, shares, "It's a new year. A new beginning. A new excitement!" "The staff is gearing up for the new year," says Rusonik. The school is consolidating its operations back to its original space in the main building at the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. Rusonik adds, "all of our quality programming will remain the same, including TWO new programs we added last year. We have maintained an exceptional educa... Full story
The Jewish Academy of Orlando (JAO) is proceeding with plans, first announced in February, to consolidate its operations in the main building on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus, enabling the 38-year-old Jewish day school to sharpen its focus on its curriculum. When the 2016-17 academic year begins next month, JAO will have relocated the school’s operation entirely into the main campus building, which JAO has called home for most of its existence. JAO worked closely with the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando (JFGO), which owns and m... Full story
The RAISE program for young adults with special needs is now accepting online applications. There will be a limited number of positions available, as well as opportunities to volunteer as a Job Coach. RAISE is a 6- to 12-month work and social skills training program offered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando that provides paid employment at our partnering Jewish agencies for adults with special needs. In addition, RAISE assists its employees in the transition to finding employment in the community. If you know of a young adult... Full story
The entire community is invited to a fun evening of BINGO on Thursday, Aug. 4 at Congregation Ohev Shalom. The event is open to anyone 18 and older and will take place at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Pkwy SMaitland from 7-9 p.m. Rabbi David Kay is our BINGO caller extraordinaire. The Youth, Education, Family and Youth Scholarship Committees have been sponsoring BINGO several times over the past few years to benefit the Youth and Hebrew School Scholarship funds. Make it a date night, girls night out, guys night out or just come and... Full story
On July 19, Jewish Pavilion Program Director Gloria Green of Winter Garden presented her last presentation before she retires at Brookdale Ocoee. Christine Girard, the Activities director at Brookdale Ocoee Senior Living, provided a Jewish traditional lunch for Jewish residents that included latkes, pastrami, and lox and bagels-the perfect meal to go with Green's fifth (and final) program on the History of Jewish Food, which covered Jewish food from historic times to the present. Assisting... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has announced the winners of its 2016 community leadership awards, to be presented at Federation's Annual Meeting at 7 p.m., Aug. 17, on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. Themed "A Meeting of the Minds," the event also will feature "Mentalist to the Stars" Sidney Friedman, who will read minds and perform ESP, telepathy and premonition, among other feats. Federation will pay tribute to "the great minds of our Jewish community" with the following... Full story
JFS Orlando received a grant for over $150,000, the largest grant this year, through the Orange County Community Development Block (CDBG) grant programs. The funds will be used to assist with much needed agency renovations including replacing air conditioning units, installing new sewer lines, creating a new lobby space and upgrading the building entry to be ADA accessible. The increased safety and accessibility improvements to the facility will enable JFS Orlando to create a healthier, more... Full story
Washington, D.C.—Just two days after hearing oral argument, a federal court, relying heavily on Becket Fund Supreme Court victories, ruled that the Florida Department of Corrections must allow Jewish prisoners to practice their faith by providing them with kosher meals. Thirty-five states and the federal government already provide kosher diets for prisoners. Before today’s ruling, Florida’s Department of Corrections was the only large prison system in the country that insisted it should remain free to refuse to provide kosher meals to observa...
The Jewish Pavilion will turn back the clock to the 1960s on Oct. 23, bringing the community together with their new fall festival, promoting peace, love, and "Sunday in the Park." Get your groove on, and save the date for the Fall Family Festival featuring a Beatle's tribute band, The British Invasion (formerly of Epcot). If you're looking for an afternoon of entertainment that also provides a sense of fulfillment, then the multi-generational "Sunday in the Park" will be music to your ears.... Full story
There is a new, one-of-a-kind religious school in Winter Springs to provide your children with a strong Jewish education and identity whether you consider yourself Conservative or Reform. Temple Israel and Temple Shir Shalom have joined forces to create a collaborative religious school called the Meitin Alliance for Growth And Learning. The school will be known as MAGAL, the Hebrew word for circle and a symbol of oneness. Rabbi Joshua Neely and Cantor Kim Singer will be the heads of MAGAL and... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando announced its new board for the upcoming school year. “We would like to thank all of the outgoing members, who worked tirelessly to support our school,” said outgoing President Jordan Steinberg. Marni Stahlman, Rona Weiss, Allan Klaiman, Linda Zlatkiss and Paul Rosenthal all deserve recognition for their dedication. At this year’s annual meeting and last board meeting of the year, Renee Libow and Maura Weiner received special recognition for their continued support, dedication and efforts throughout the years. Alan... Full story
The 2016 Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando (JFGO), dubbed "A Meeting of the Minds," will feature America's premier mentalist, Sidney Friedman. The annual meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. Called "the mentalist to the stars" by Forbes magazine for his many celebrity clients, Friedman will read minds and perform ESP, telepathy and premonition. In addition, those who attend will witness his unique "Music Mind Reading," wh... Full story
JFS Orlando distributed the 2016 Kobrin Scholarship to local Seminole High School student, Silvia Huaman. This annual scholarship of $2,000 is awarded to one deserving and academically successful student who will be starting college at the University of Central Florida (UCF) this year. The Kobrin family established an endowment fund in memory of Harvey and Philip Kobrin's parents and through their financial generosity JFS Orlando is able to distribute these scholarships since 1990. Huaman... Full story
