Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Jewish Academy of Orlando is launching a special fundraising opportunity to strengthen its school and mission of providing the community with a program of academic excellence while at the same time instilling a sense of Jewish pride in its students. During the Harriett Lake/Weiner Family 2016 Matching Gift Challenge, which will be taking place between February 19 and April 15, all gifts to the Jewish Academy of Orlando's annual campaign will be matched on a 1:2 basis up to $50,000! A huge... Full story
Each year the Holocaust Center provides a community program for Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Day of Remembrance. This year's commemoration, scheduled for May 1 at 4 p.m., will be held in the gymnasium at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center. There is no charge to attend, and reservations are not required. In addition to traditional music and local survivors lightning candles in remembrance of Hitler's victims, the program will feature a conversation with Peter Homburger, a survivor who now... Full story
OCALA—‘Purim in the Jungle’ will be the theme for Chabad of Ocala & The Villages annual Purim-around-the world celebration happens on Thursday, March 24 at the Chabad Jewish Center, 3509 SW 34th Ave. Circle. The festivities will begin with a Megillah reading at 5:30 p.m., and continue with a Purim Feast for adults and children at 6 p.m. The whole community, regardless of age, affiliation or background is invited to join in the fun. The family Megillah reading will be accompanied by a visual presentation geared for children. Everyone is encourag... Full story
By Christine DeSouza Anyone who has ever listened to an audio book understands what a concert reading is, although a concert reading isn't like a parent reading to a child. It is sort of a play and sort of not. The readers dress in character, read their parts in character and occasionally actually act out scenes. But for the most part, the readers are sitting and reading their parts. The Orlando community hasn't had too many concert readings that I am aware of, and have we been missing it!... Full story
The opening comment on the ACCoRD Project’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/theaccordproject) asks the following questions for thought: “What has happened to disagreeing with each other in a civil manner? When has name calling become a standard response to something we do not like to hear? Discussion and disagreement are part of our democracy, however name calling and personal attacks are not. Just turn on the news and, on a daily basis, one can witness the lack of cooperation, respect and personal dignity in our current political env... Full story
A permanent donor sign was installed at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando on Feb. 28 to acknowledge the 88 donors who contributed to the gym renovation project in memory of community leader Charles Schwartz. Over $133,000 was raised to rename The Roth Family JCC's basketball leagues to the "Charles I. Schwartz Memorial Basketball Leagues" and to create an endowment for future gym renovations and upgrades. Leading the ceremony was (l-r), David Wayne, JCC representative;... Full story
Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish Foundation has been participating as a partner with the Grinspoon Foundation by implementing their Life and Legacy program as a commitment to the Jewish communities to ensure a strong tomorrow in all aspects of Jewish living. At this point, Orlando’s community has 60 signed Letters of Intent with a goal of 90 in the first year. This equates to $1.9MM intended for the Orlando community as after-life gifts. There are 15 teams committed to securing at least 18 Letters of Intent by March 31, the last day of year o... Full story
Purim festivities abound at the Jewish Pavilion and parties are planned in facilities all over town. Jewish and gentile residents revel in the festivities. A Purim skit, written by Cathy Swerdlow, is performed in more than 30 senior communities. Jewish Pavilion staff, volunteers, and residents take part in the plays and 1200 hamantashen are happily consumed. Savannah Court, Oviedo March 11, 1:30 p.m. Island Lake Center March 11, 11 a.m. Grand Villa March 11, noon Village on the Green March 11,... Full story
The brand new Rosen JCC Event Center will rock Vegas-style on March 20 at 2 p.m. when Chuck LaPaglia takes the stage and sings a sparkling Neil Diamond tribute. South Florida fans have known him for the last 8 years as Neil Zirconia, "the ultimate faux diamond." "My dream has always been to entertain people,'' said LaPaglia, 58, a former stockbroker who enjoys the 1970s music of Elton John, Billy Joel and, of course, Diamond. "I always wanted to sing." Don't call LaPaglia an impersonator,... Full story
Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert and Joyce Walker along with Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Rita Weissmann will be honored by JFS Orlando with the 2016 George Wolly Community Leadership Award at the Spring Brunch on April 3, at Heathrow Country Club. The Walker's have a long legacy with JFS Orlando, as both Gilbert and Joyce served as board members dating back to the inception of the Agency. Gilbert was a pediatrician for over 40 years and served as chief of Pediatrics at Orange Memorial Hospital for two years.... Full story
On March 24, the first-grade students participated in their annual Space program. This fun, fact-filled program encompassed props, live music, a slide show, and a display of student artwork related to the thematic unit, and was the culmination of their integrated science unit, "Sun, Moon and Stars." The multi-faceted curriculum included the creation of vocabulary journals, lunar models, space mobiles, and was enriched by a visit to the Seminole State Planetarium. There, students experienced... 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. Once again this annual event proved to be a great success, both as a fundraiser and as an enjoyable afternoon with genial company, excellent food and a beautiful venue. This event contributes charitable funds to promote heart health awareness, training and information to women in the greater Orlando area. The chapter also provides funds for research to... Full story
Many Jewish women face an increased genetic predisposition for certain cancers. On Feb. 25, an appreciative audience gathered to hear medical experts from UF-Health Cancer Center at Orlando Health discuss cancer risks, clarify misconceptions, explain the latest research, and give a primer on various prevention and treatment options. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando in partnership with The Roth Family JCC, Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando and Central Florida Hillel, the panel featured Dr. Rebecca Moroose, director... Full story
At the International Society for the Social Studies (ISSS) conference held at UCF on Feb. 25, Professor Terri Susan Fine led a session on "Teaching the Arab-Israeli Peace Process and Conflict." Conference attendees included university faculty, teacher educators, curriculum specialists, social studies department leaders, undergraduate and graduate students, and K-12 teachers, with representation from countries as diverse as Turkey, Namibia, Barbados and Morocco. Professor Fine's presentation, dev... Full story
For the past year dedicated volunteers, Elaine Wienstein and Barbara Zaslofsky, have been visiting and helping to lead a Shabbat service for the dozen or more Jewish residents at Oakmonte Village Assisted Living. After many visits, singing songs, kibbitzing and even reminiscing, they have all become fast friends. Oakmonte's Jewish Community is brought together bi-weekly for Shabbat services lead by Weinstein and Zaslofsky. Purim and Passover programming are scheduled soon and all are welcome to... Full story
Last month, the kindergarten students of the Jewish Academy of Orlando celebrated Havdallah, the ceremony said to mark the end of Shabbat. Students came to school on a Saturday night in their pajamas and led their parents in Havdallah. Here students demonstrate the signing of the Shema which they learned along with the prayer itself. Following Havdallah, the students decorated personalized pillowcases and listened to a story about a feather pillowcase and the words we use. This fun and... Full story
The Gould family has donated their former business property, which housed Gould Publications, to Seminole State College of Florida. The approximately 10 acres of land and 80,000-square-foot building space is about 3 miles from the Sanford/Lake Mary campus on U.S. 17/92. Valued at $4.1 million, it is the largest single gift in the history of the college. "We are very humbled and grateful for the generosity of the Gould family and their decision to donate the land and building space to the... Full story
The ACCoRD Project was developed through a series of parlour meetings with a group of passionate, action-oriented, highly committed individuals who each have a desire to work toward a change in the very negative political arena. The leadership of this group is comprised of Bonnie Friedman, Barbara Chasnov, Es Cohen, Susan Weinman, and Roberta Cooper, all active Central Florida citizens involved in many worthwhile endeavors. The acronym in the ACCoRD Project stands for "Advocating for Civility,... Full story
There won’t be any sunshine for boycotters of Israel in the Sunshine State. In a near-unanimous 112-2 vote, the Florida House of Representatives on Feb. 24 passed “Senate Bill 86: Scrutinized Companies,” legislation designed to prevent Florida from investing in or doing business with companies participating in boycotts of Israel. If signed into law by Florida Governor Rick Scott, the bill would require the state to maintain a list of “scrutinized companies” participating in boycotts of Israel, or boycotts against companies and individua... Full story
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Nearly half the states in the country are considering legislation aimed at countering the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS, movement. But critics say some bills are cause for concern, either because they seek to legitimate Israeli settlements or go so far in punishing boycott supporters they infringe on constitutionally protected speech. Two states, Illinois and South Carolina, passed laws last year mandating state divestment from companies that boycott Israel, according to a list maintained by Americans for Peace N... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion's Black and White Gala will be held on Sunday, March 13th at the Orlando Sheraton North in Maitland. This year's honorees are two stellar volunteers who cherish the elder-care community-Carol Stein and Sammy Goldstein. The Gala will include a silent auction, gourmet meal, and the musical sounds of Paul Stenzler and his band. Register at www.jewishpavilion.org Carol Stein has literally been playing the Jewish Pavilion's song since 2014, when the acclaimed pianist, vocalist... Full story
Orlando Shakespeare Theater in partnership with UCF has partnered with nationally renowned magician Kostya Kimlat to offer an exclusive evening of magic and Shakespeare to patrons attending the Theater's production of "The Tempest" on March 25. The pre-show party will feature an intimate sleight-of-hand magic lesson from Kostya Kimlat and two other official magicians of the Orlando Magic. The magic lesson will take place prior to the evening's $25 Under 35 performance. Ticket holders of any age... Full story
The Holocaust Center is continuing its monthly "I Remember: Eyewitnesses to the Holocaust" series with a conversation with local Holocaust Survivor Helen Greenspun. It will be on Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Holocaust Center in Maitland. It is free and open to the general public, and reservations are not required. Information on this presentation and other programs at the Center can be found at www.holocaustedu.org or by calling 407-628-0555. Born in the small town of Chmielnik, Poland,... Full story
Sitting on the stage of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts-facing the pit, orchestra, mezzanine seating areas and the balcony that seemed to rise into the rafters-was a once-in-a-lifetime-event for the 400 attendees (about 100 of whom were college students) of the Jewish National Fund's Gala and Backstage Tour. They had gathered to honor Jim Pugh and Chuck Steinmetz with JNF's Lifetime Achievement awards for their years of support of JNF and the Jewish community. Not only are both... Full story
Using personal anecdotes as their guide, two Israeli reserve soldiers spoke to nearly 20 University of Central Florida students the afternoon of Feb. 25. Shir, 25, and Isaac, 27, (only first names were given to protect their identity) are the featured speakers in this year’s Israeli Soldiers Tour. Sponsored by StandWithUs, an international Israel education organization, the program aims to give a human face to the IDF. Over the past seven years, it has sent Israeli reserve soldiers across the U.S. to visit universities, high schools, synagogues... Full story
