Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 2856 - 2880 of 3579
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando’s RAISE program (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees) is accepting online applications until January 7, 2015. New positions open periodically during the year as RAISE employees find jobs in the community at large. Anyone who is interested may apply online at http://orlandojewishfed.org/inclusion-for-adults-with-special-needs or contact 407.645.5933 ext 236.... Full story
The Kibbutz Ohev Enrichment program is open to any Jewish kindergarten to seventh grader regardless of synagogue membership and takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Kibbutzniks focus on taking care of the earth, their bodies, others and Israel. Activities include gardening, healthy cooking, Mitzvah trips, crafts and more. The Kibbutzniks often are spoken to in Hebrew with their circle time called "Ma Chadash?" (what's new?) Snack is included. Transportation from school is available for an... Full story
On Nov. 23, 2014, four Conservative Congregation's Men's Clubs came together to honor an individual from each synagogue for their outstanding leadership in their efforts to provide service to their shul, their Men's Club and their community. There were 259 people who attended the event, which was called the "Man of the Year" and was held at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. The four Conservative synagogues in Central Florida to join in the event were: Congregation Beth Am, Longwood; Temple... Full story
ORLANDO-Jewish National Fund (JNF) is proud to announce the appointment of Debbie Meitin as president of JNF's Board of Directors in Orlando. "Debbie is a strong leader for JNF and for the Jewish community in Orlando," said Laura Abramson, JNF Orlando campaign executive. "She works diligently on behalf of the people and land of Israel. As president, her passion and vision for the campaign year will be an inspiration that will take JNF to the next level." Meitin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and... Full story
On Feb. 8, 2015, Rabbi David Kay will be honored at Congregation Ohev Shalom's annual gala. This year's event, Java and Jazz, will commemorate Rabbi Kay's 10 years of service with not only Congregation Ohev Shalom, but to the Greater Orlando community as well. Rabbi Kay came to Orlando in August 2004, as the first assistant rabbi of Congregation Ohev Shalom. Ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in May 2002, he also received his MA in Jewish education. During rabbinical school,... Full story
On Jan. 9, 2015, Congregation Sinai will celebrate Shabbat with a new concept—Shabbat Unplugged, a folk music Shabbat. On this Shabbat, the congregation will have a short Kabbalah Shabbat service followed by folk music and songs from the 1960s, such as Peter, Paul and Mary; Bob Dylan; and The Mamas and the Papas. “Remember Woodstock?” asked Peter Sobel, a congregant member. “Well, bring your beads and your tie-dyed shirts and you best friends with their beads and join us for lots of fun!” Dinner will be served prior to the service. Cost for... Full story
It was not just another Camporee for Boy Scout Troop 641. One hundred and forty-two Boy Scout Troops from around Central Florida attended the Camporee at Camp LaNoche in Paisley in December. Maitland's own Troop 641 placed third overall in the weekend's competitions. The Scouts took first place in two of the eight physical challenges at the "Toughest Scout Games" at the Central Florida Camporee. Three new scouts joined in the fun and learned a lot from the older scouts in the Troop. Boys ages... Full story
Chanukah celebrations at the Jewish Academy of Orlando began on Tuesday, Dec. 16 with an outstanding Chanukah play presented by the fifth-grade students, who did an excellent job telling the Chanukah story to usher in the holiday celebrations. The teachers and staff truly helped make the students shine Next stop, Broadway! The following day, the students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando had a great day celebrating Chanukah with their annual Maccabiah Games. Inspired by the ancient Maccabees... Full story
CLERMONT-The Jewish Friends Club of Kings Ridge and Temple L'Chayim hosted a Clermont Chanukah party that was open to the entire community on the first night of Chanukah. There was a special Chanukah candle lighting ceremony performed by Cantor Isaac Kriger, and Rabbi Howard Schwartz of Temple L'Chayim. This annual celebration was a terrific opportunity for the community to join together and to learn about Jewish tradition, history, culture and heritage. Almost 150 attendees of all ages,... Full story
While most Jews joined in the celebration of the eight days of Chanukah (which fell between Dec. 16 and Dec. 24 in 2014), the Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers celebrated more than most. Throughout the month of December the Pavilion's four program directors and countless volunteers brought Chanukah festivities and lit the (electric) menorah in more than 50 assisted living and nursing homes in Greater Orlando, bringing Chanukah cheer to hundreds of residents. Each celebration offered a little... Full story
Central Florida Hillel recently hosted an event for Israelis in Orlando, a group that strives to bring Orlando's Israeli population closer together. Through its association with the Foundation of Jewish Culture, Central Florida Hillel was able to invite Israeli actor and director Yiftach Klein, who provided a free Hebrew screening of "The Policeman" followed by a question and answer session.... Full story
On Thursday, Dec. 11, 17 second-grade students from Jewish Academy of Orlando got the lesson of a lifetime, and it was not in the classroom. They were able to visit a Habitat for Humanity Winter Park-Maitland construction site at 832 English Court, Winter Park, 32789, to bring to life the lessons they have been learning at school during their Social Studies unit on economics. At Habitat for Humanity, the students conducted mock inspections of a home under construction, putting mathematical... Full story
With television shows like “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Finding Your Roots,” it is no wonder that genealogy is the second most popular hobby in the U.S. (gardening is No. 1). It is also the second most visited category on the Internet (next only to pornography). In light of this growing interest in family histories, on Jan. 12, 2015, Congregation Ohev Shalom and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) will present a special program featuring David Laskin, author of “The Family,” which is the story of his own ancestors w... Full story
TAMPA—The Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish foundation (“TOP”) has launched a new endowment program that will empower every member of the community to have a long-term impact on Jewish institutions and organizations at home, in Israel and around the world. TOP will facilitate the “Life & Legacy” program under the guidance of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a program that represents a shared commitment by area agencies, synagogues and day schools to work together to collectively secure endowment gifts. The grant-funded program will be offered f... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center (HMREC) is pleased to announce an upcoming reception with Boris Fishman, author of "A Replacement Life." The New York Times calls Fishman's novel, "bold, ambitious and wickedly smart." The reception with Fishman is free, open to the public, and will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Holocaust Center. Book clubs and individuals interested in reading the novel and attending the event are encouraged to RSVP to B... Full story
Nursing homes can be sad places to visit year-round but visiting at holiday time can be even more upsetting. Imagine that your home has turned red and green, with Christmas lights and Christmas music galore. The yuletide spirit decks the halls, as well as the dining room with baked ham and eggnog featured throughout the month of December. Every year, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, our Jewish elders in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities experience the "glad tidings" of the... Full story
The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando is pleased to announce it will honor Susie and Ed Kleiman, Pearl and Howard Lefkowitz, and their families, at its annual J Ball event on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. "We are thrilled to honor the Kleimans and Lefkowitzes for their incredibly strong commitment to our JCC and community," said David Wayne, executive director. The event, which will begin at 7 p.m., will include entertainment, food stations, an open... Full story
Congregation Beth Israel of Ocala invites the community to a “Lunch and Learn” on Sunday Jan. 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Arbor Conference Center at On Top of the World Retirement Communities in Ocala. The program will feature Rabbi Linda Holtzman who will speak about the history of the Reconstructionist movement, its contributions to Judaism and the implications for the future. Her presentation will be from the vantage point of a rabbi who has spent most of her rabbinic life working in the Reconstructionist movement. Rabbi Holtzman, a Rec... Full story
Chabad of South Orlando is hosting a Chanukah Winter Community Festival on Sunday, Dec. 21, featuring a concert with Lazar Lloyd, Israel’s king of the blues; as well as snow cones, donuts, cotton candy, crafts, necklaces and light-up menorahs. The festival will be held at Chabad of South Orlando’s new location, 7347 W. Sand Lake Road, and admission is free. Starting at 4:30 p.m. there will be snow activities, including snow sledding down real snow; at 5:45 p.m. the Grand Menorah will be lit; at 6:15 p.m. Lazer Lloyd will perform in con... Full story
The sixth-grade Social Studies students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando took a step back in time to learn about ancient civilizations. To better understand the importance mummification played in the Ancient Egyptian civilization, the students mummified a kosher chicken. This multi-day, multi-step activity was a unique experience. The students can't wait to open their sarcophagus (a stone coffin) next school year in science class and see how successful they were. For more information about the... Full story
Join the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1-4 p.m. at its Maitland location for Hanukarnival – an outdoor event the JCC is billing as a "dreideltastic, menorific family celebration." The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature inflatables, Chanukah-themed arts and crafts, Maccabee sports competitions, as well as musical performances by children from the JCC's Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center, the Jewish Academy of Orlando, a... Full story
More than 300 Jewish National Fund (JNF) supporters gathered at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on the evening of Nov. 18 for JNF’s annual Orlando Tree of Life™ Award Dinner. Local philanthropists Valeria and Jim Shapiro and Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins were awarded JNF’s esteemed Tree of Life™ award. Tess Wise, founder of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center, was presented with the Guardian of Israel award. JNF Chief Executive Officer Russell F. Robinson was the keynote speaker and gave an update on JNF’s important work in Israel. F... Full story
Rabbi Joshua Neely of Temple Israel will continue “Conversations with the Rabbi” on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Brown’s New York Deli in Maitland at 4 p.m. The topic of conversation will be “Israel: Situation From Inside Out.” This is a continuing series and gives all members of the community an opportunity to talk with the rabbi. There is no charge for admission. Brown’s New York Deli is on the corner of 17-92 and Lake Avenue in Maitland. For more information, please call the synagogue office (407-647-3055) or go to Temple Israel’s website at ww... Full story
Ms. Rubin's seventh-grade civics class from Teague Middle School recently attended a field trip to the Holocaust Center. In the picture, (left) UpStanders coordinator Bailey Robb and Executive Director Pam Kancher hold a poster created by the students as a thank you to the Holocaust Center for their first experience with the UpStanders program. The poster tells a wonderful story of learning and empathy. Some of the poignant comments included: "It will touch me forever," "Thank you for teaching... Full story
As part of the Holocaust Center’s participation of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, the Holocaust Center presented a panel discussion on marginalized communities. Marginalization, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is to put or keep someone in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group. The Civil Rights Act was a long step forward toward equality of rights under the law. Unfortunately, there still are barriers and closed doors that prevent s... Full story
