Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3007 - 3031 of 3615
Kinneret Board members Geanne Share, Valerie Chestnut, and Lauren Sharfstein shared New Year's wishes with Kinneret residents on Wednesday, Sept. 17 in Kinneret Apartment's Jessie Render Social Hall. Over 30 residents from Kinneret I and Kinneret II apartments gathered in the social hall and learned about the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holiday while enjoying a snack of apples and honey. Kinneret's Cultural Enrichment Committee has scheduled a variety of Jewish programming events throughout... Full story
On Sunday, Sept. 7, Tayarim Connect kicked off the year with a pool party at the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando. Tayarim Connect is a program hosted by the Roth JCC for middle school students. This program, which is overseen by Abby Paulson, Youth and Camp director, brings together children in middle school from around the community for social, Judaic and community service programs. Over 20 middle schoolers attended the pool party, which started off with ice breakers led by... Full story
This summer, the Jewish community rallied to support Israel in an extraordinary fundraising campaign. The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando in collaboration with community agencies and synagogues held three events fostering unity and support for Israel. In addition, the Federation launched an Israel Emergency Fund to raise much needed cash for relief efforts. To date the Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund has raised $65,000. At the beginning of this summer’s conflict, the Jewish Federations of North America sprung into action to assist the... Full story
"Bunny Rosen was an irreplaceable friend of the Jewish Pavilion, and it is our honor to walk in her name at the Pavilion's 4th Annual " A Walk in the Park," taking place on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Crane's Roost Park," stated Executive Director Nancy Ludin. "We are grateful to Bunny's family, Melissa and Sandy Masin, for co-sponsoring the event in her memory." Although she has been gone for more than a year, Rosen's legacy lives on throughout Jewish Orlando. The 84-year-old dynamo of volunteerism,... Full story
Just five years ago, if a mom at the Jewish Community Center in South Orlando wanted to visit the office of Early Childhood Director Brenda Sher, she faced the prospect of getting drenched in the rain before she arrived on foot at Sher’s portable. That was then, and this is now. Five years ago, in fall 2009, the JCC opened its new state-of-the-art facility at the Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus, and the rainy walks parents had made to-and-from portable classrooms since 1994 became forgotten to beautiful, modern, light-filled c... Full story
Jonathan Matusitz, Ph.D associate professor at UCF's Nicholson School of Communication has a new book out titled "Symbolism in Terrorism." On Friday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m., he will deliver a presentation on that topic in the Health & Public Affairs 1 building (HPA 1), room 112, located at 12805 Pegasus Drive (close to Parking Lot D). There will be a book signing at the end of the lecture. Books will be available for purchase at a reduced price at the book signing. "Symbolism in Terrorism" defines... Full story
The first-grade students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando are learning about the human body. They are learning about the bones, muscles, heart, lungs, and brain. The students traced and cut out their bodies, which are on display on the bulletin boards outside of the classrooms. As they learn about each part, they cut it out and glue it on their bodies. They will also have guest speakers soon to talk to about their bodies and how to keep them strong and healthy. For more information or to arrange a visit to the school, please contact Alan... Full story
Five-year old Emma Jacobson handed out percussion instruments and sang with the audience as her grandmother, Gloria Green, played Broadway classics on the piano. Emma is shown here with Judith at Ivy Court, a Brookdale senior care facility. Green is a program director for The Jewish Pavilion. To volunteer for The Jewish Pavilion, call 407-678-9363.... Full story
Jewish National Fund’s Women for Israel Society hosted a breakfast at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park on Tuesday, Sept. 9 with guest speaker Noa Gefen of the Society for the Preservation of Israel Historical Sites (SPIHS). Gefen discussed some of the different sites in which JNF is also a partner including Atlit Detention Camp, Ayalon Institute and Ammunition Hill. She also shared with the WFI supporters SPIHS’s vision for over 150 sites they are working to preserve and restore. Shown here are (l-r), Brenda Faiber, Dr. Robin Katzman, Noa Gef... Full story
On Sept. 12-14, over 60 Orlando teens attended BBYO's All-Florida Convention in Palm Beach Gardens. Themed "Leave Your Mark," the convention brought together nearly 300 teens plus advisors, staff, guest educators and alumni for a historic weekend of local Jewish teen engagement. "I couldn't have imagined a more amazing experience, learning from some of the community's most influential leaders and change agents. Now, back in Orlando, I am more inspired than ever to lead my chapter and give back... Full story
The following synagogues provided information about their High Holiday services to the Heritage by press time. For information about services at other local synagogues, contact the individual congregations. Most synagogues require tickets for admission, and their cost varies from congregation to congregation. Some may open one or more of ther holiday services to the community. For tickets or information, contact the individual synagogue. Celebration Jewish Congregation (Reform) Rabbi Dr. Richard M. Cowin Cantorial soloists Dr. Norton and Jane... Full story
For over 10 years Congregation Sinai, a full-service progressive congregation, which considers itself “a little bit Conservative and a little bit Reform,” has been holding services, social events, adult education classes, Torah study, and youth education classes leading to bar and bat mizvah ceremonies. The Mens Club and Sisterhood are very active arms of the synagogue life. Beside the weekly Torah study every Saturday, they will continue the Adult Educaiton program on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Currently, they are studying the First Book of Samuel... Full story
Rabbi Joshua Neely will be leading services at Temple Israel throughout the High Holidays. The theme of his messages this year is to find your core within Judaism's core. You can live superficially but there is a gnawing doubt and emptiness at the core. Find out how to let Judaism be your core and provide balance and strength for your whole life. Deborah Meitin, long-time Temple Israel member, will serve as the High Holiday cantor during High Holiday services at the synagogue. Debbie's... Full story
President Eric Hoffman is pleased to announce that Susan Bernstein has been hired as Temple Israel's congregational life coordinator. Bernstein brings to Orlando a wellspring of experiences and knowledge. She began her career as a public school music teacher in Stamford, Connecticut, and Valley Stream, New York. Her love for music brought her to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem to study ethnomusicology where she taught music at the Conservatory in Ashkelon and produced music programs for the... Full story
The Ritual Committee chairman at Temple Israel, Natan Brener, has announced there will be a hands-on High Holiday workshop for school-aged children and their family members on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Roth Social Hall. Everyone in the greater Orlando community is invited. There will be take-away activities to help bring families together and get ready for the New Year. There is no charge and reservations are not necessary. For directions, please visit www.tiflorida.org. Temple Israel is located at 50 S. Moss Rd., Winter... Full story
The following synagogues provided information about their High Holiday services to the Heritage by press time. For information about services at other local synagogues, contact the individual congregations. Most synagogues require tickets for admission, and their cost varies from congregation to congregation. Some may open one or more of ther holiday services to the community. For tickets or information, contact the individual synagogue. Celebration Jewish Congregation (Reform) Rabbi Dr. Richard M. Cowin Cantorial soloists Dr. Norton and Jane... Full story
In 2013, G-dcast, a San Francisco-based new media studio, launched the eScapegoat app, encouraging users to engage in deeper Jewish learning and to prepare for Yom Kippur by offloading their sins to a virtual goat, in an echo of an ancient repentance ritual. Now, the app is back, and has spawned Mini Goats—local mini-apps that let smaller communities re-enact this ritual virtually for a new, high-tech learning and community connection. “Despite high synagogue attendance on Yom Kippur, literacy of the scapegoat story in Leviticus is very low... Full story
The Friedman Team (Jeff and Barbara) with Fannie Hillman & Associates is pleased to welcome their new team member Sheryl Kashuk. Sheryl joins the team with many years of both sales and interior decorating experience. She will be a very valuable member of the team as they expand their service in the Central Florida area. As a lifelong resident of Central Florida, Sheryl raised three sons, Josh, Brett, and Andrew Ackerman. While raising her children, she became an integral member of Robb & Stucky... Full story
Hillary S. Bressler is one of the nation’s authorities on online marketing and an industry innovator. She is founder and CEO of .Com Marketing (www.commarketing.com), a result-driven digital marketing agency with a track record of proven success. The award-winning .Com Marketing specializes in lead-generating spearch, digital advertising, brand engagement and best-in-class consulting. The compay was acquired in May 2014 by EdgeCore and will operate as a business unit of the Cedar Falls, Iowa-based direct marketing agency. Bressler e... Full story
The students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando begin each morning during the Jewish month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah, by blowing the Shofar in anticipation and preparation for the New Year. The students are busy in their classes learning about the High Holidays, how to celebrate and why we celebrate. When the students begin each morning by hearing the sound of the Shofar, they are encouraged to search their souls and think about how they can become better people and new beginnings.... Full story
Imagine an empty patch of concrete being transformed into an action-packed hub of activity, filled with the laughter of over 200 people. That is what transpired on Sunday, Sept. 7, when four local Jewish community organizations-Orlando Torah Academy, Jewish Outreach INitiative (J.O.IN Orlando), Orlando Jewish Experience and Orlando Torah Center-organized a Jewish Family Fun Day. In addition to the bounce houses and cotton candy, popcorn, balloon sculpting and face painting, three grills worked... Full story
On Friday Sept. 5, 10 residents of Life Care Center were treated to an early Rosh Hashanah service led by Program Director Julie Levitt, with volunteer Stephen Wolf accompanying the festivities on the shofar. "Rosh Hashanah brings a new year and a fresh outlook to Life Care Center (LCC) in Altamonte Springs. Recently, the staff at Life Care has gone out of their way to embrace their Jewish residents and to support their culture. Activities Director Angela Gauthier prepared a beautiful dining... Full story
PJ Library Families were treated to story time led by Susan Bernstein, Temple Israel's new congregational life coordinator. The story imparts a great lesson about our responsibility in making the world a better place. The story says: On the birthday of the world, all of God's creatures pass before Him as He asks whether each has been the best giraffe, or bee, or child they could be, helping to make the world a better place. Later in the morning, Rabbi Neely blew the shofar and explained the... Full story
On Sep. 3, over 300 UCF Knights solemnly gathered around the heart of campus to mourn and honor Steven Joel Sotloff-a freelance journalist who was murdered in cold-blood by the extremist group ISIS. The 31-year-old Miami native attended UCF from 2002-2004 and worked as a senior staff writer for The Central Florida Future, UCF's independent newspaper. After making aliyah in 2005, he set out to earn his undergraduate degree at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya. Before he was... Full story
Jewish National Fund (JNF) will host its annual Tree of Life Award Dinner at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, located at 9700 International Drive in Orlando, at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The event will honor local philanthropists Valeria and Jim Shapiro and Orlando Magic Executive Alex Martins with the prestigious Tree of Life Award. The Tree of Life Award is a humanitarian award given in recognition of outstanding community involvement, dedication to the cause of American –Israeli friendship, and d... Full story
