Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3029 - 3053 of 3578
Going back to school can be one of the most exciting times of the year. For most teens, it is a time to reconnect with friends, teachers, coaches, etc. For some students however, the thought of returning to school can lead to serious anxiety. In particular, some students that fear they will be taunted, teased, and mistreated by their peers would rather stay home than return to school. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, nearly one in three students (27.8 percent) reported being bullied during the school year. Students... Full story
The entire community is invited to enjoy a free bagel breakfast and live entertainment at " A Walk in the Park," a family-friendly festival on Sunday, Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m., at Crane's Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. The festivities will include activities for children such as face painting, bounce house and clowns, a health fair, vendors, a walk and prizes galore. Proceeds benefit the Jewish Pavilion. The Pavilion ensures that our elders in long-term care are not alone in the world. They arrange... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is proud to celebrate two years of menschs! At this year’s Annual Meeting, the “Mensch of the Week Hall of Fame” will proudly be displayed for the second year in a row. The mensch of the week program highlights an outstanding individual each week in the MaNishma e-blast. It’s an opportunity to recognize the hardworking community members that make Jewish Orlando thrive. Do you know a mensch? Nominate your very own “Mensch of the Week!” Email Dana Nichols at dnichols@jfgo.org with a name of someone you... Full story
On Wednesday, July 23, 2014, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando (JFGO) and the Greater Orlando Board of Rabbis sponsored an Israel Solidarity Gathering at the Maitland Jewish Community Center. Approximately 350 people from the Orlando community came to show their support for Israel. Chaim Shacham, consul general of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico gave a briefing on the current situation in Israel. "We did not choose this conflict, it was forced upon us. Even though we did all that we... Full story
Alan Rusonik believes in community, he believes a strong Jewish education is vital to develop future Jewish leadership, and he believes the Jewish Academy of Orlando is an excellent place to grow a school that has a strong foundation. This is all good because Rusonik has just begun his job as JAO head of school. He knows it will be a lot of hard work but he also knows that he is coming into a school that "has a great history." According to Rusonik, "It is a project to improve what has been... Full story
If Kevin Weiss could only pick one word to blaze across his wall, that word would be justice. "I'm an idealistic type of person," Weiss told The Heritage. "I like to help people and if I see an injustice it burns me up." Ever since he was a child, whether something was unfair or if he saw someone hurting and if he felt he could help resolve the situation, he would try to remedy the problem. That's the kind of man Kevin Weiss is. A sense of justice was the driving force that led him to become a... Full story
The year 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act. In recognition of that monumental legislation, institutions and individuals throughout Central Florida will be examining the impact of the end of legal discrimination based on race, gender, nationality and religion. What changes have we seen in our lifetime? What issues remain to be addressed? What tools do we need to move ahead in challenging bigotry and intolerance in all of its forms? • Sept. 2 through Dec. 15 E... Full story
Congregation Beth Am in Longwood, Florida, in conjunction with the Orlando Church of Christ, the Seminole County Department for Emergency Management, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the Seminole County Department of Public Safety will host a Disaster Preparedness program on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. This will immediately follow a congregational Open House for prospective members starting at 10 a.m. Steven Lerner from the Emergency Response Team will discuss hurricane and fire preparedness. The Office of Emergency Management i... Full story
Congregation Beth Sholom of Leesburg invites the community to a very special warm, joyous, and festive Shabbat service on Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. This uplifting service of music and song, led by Rabbi and Cantor Karen Allen, who will be playing her keyboard, features world-class violinist Zoriy Zinger, who was a soloist in the Russian Symphony Orchestra before reaching fame in America. Allen and Zinger have collaborated in numerous venues, including three concerts at the Melon Patch Theater. Beth Sholom’s Kabbalat Shabbat takes the form of t... Full story
Sandy Steuer has marked her first anniversary volunteering with the Jewish Pavilion. After helping out a few different senior communities she found her niche at Chambrel. Sandy helps at Shabbat each and every Friday. She has come to find friendship, self satisfaction and even learning the Friday evening service better then ever. "Don't ask me to sing, but I do love to help and I adore the people at Chambrel," chuckled Sandy. Jackie Levitt has been volunteering for many years at various senior... Full story
Yvonne David suffered the loss of her father last September and joined a grief support group sponsored by the Jewish Pavilion and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care. Held at Chambrel at Island Lake, a Brookdale Senior Living Community, this grief support group has helped her mourn, adjust and embrace life again. David’s articles about the first three weeks of the class and the last three weeks of the class were published in the May 9 and the June 20 issues respectively. This third and final article is about the follow-up meeting one month later. A... Full story
Prospective members are cordially invited to join the Temple Israel membership on Saturday evening, Aug. 2, at 9 p.m., for a creative Light Up Havdalah activity for children. As Shabbat is ushered out, the fun will begin using various light sources (glow sticks, flashlights, etc.), and a camera set up with a long exposure that will enable everyone to create light art. Following the festivities, s'mores will be served. No RSVP is needed and there is no charge. For more information, please call... Full story
Jewish National Fund (JNF) will host its annual Tree of Life™ Award Dinner at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014. The event will honor Orlando Magic Executive Alex Martins and local philanthropists Valeria and Jim Shapiro with the prestigious Tree of Life™ Award. Alex Martins originally joined the Orlando Magic as director of publicity/media relations before accepting his current role as Chief Executive Officer in 2011. Past chairman of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Com... Full story
"Happy Hours at Savannah Court have never been more joyous since singer and volunteer, Esther Portes, began serenading our seniors," said Jewish Pavilion volunteer coordinator Gloria Newberger, who shared that she had run out of song-leaders after six years of organizing weekly sing-alongs and ice cream socials at the Maitland facility, adding that most volunteers were more comfortable dishing out ice cream than "the Golden Oldies." Newberger continued, "Soon after my plea, this angel, Esther... Full story
Passport to Hebrew is Temple Israel's summer children's program for Hebrew enrichment. The program is open to all school-age children (members and non-members) and will take place on July 30, July 31 and Aug. 1 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Roth Social Hall. Whether your child needs a refresher course in Hebrew, or if he/she is new to Hebrew, this program will be fun and exciting. This year's "Falafel Edition" will be centered on Israel and will feature a mini-ulpan experience. There will b... Full story
This month, 47 members of Our Jewish Orlando (OJO) group welcomed special guest Dr. Yudit Greenberg, director of the Rollins College Jewish Studies Program to Torah on Tap at TAPS restaurant in Winter Park Village. Dr. Greenberg went in depth with the group as they spoke about love and the body in Judaism. Powered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, OJO has been successful in bringing Orlando's next generation together for connection and conversation. Shown here is Seth Payne listening... Full story
Even the best of medical care does not address loneliness, identity and belonging. Staff members and volunteers of the Jewish Pavilion (JP) bring Jewish culture to the doorstep or bedside of Jewish long-term care residents living in Central Florida's assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Familiar traditions, rituals, and culturally based activities can turn everyday existence into a life of meaning, celebration, and connection. Those who cannot live at home on their own are likely to... Full story
Temple Israel is co-sponsoring a Summer Sunday on July 27 with the JCC at the JCC campus. Current Temple Israel families and prospective families are invited to stop by the Temple Israel table where there will be lunch, music and games from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All families are invited and encouraged to stay for the remainder of the day and enjoy the pool and outside areas of the JCC campus. JCC membership is not required for entry. For more information, please contact the Temple Israel office... Full story
As Israel is entering the second week of constant barrage by rockets and missiles, the emotional and physical toll on the Israelis, especially the children and the elderly, is rising. Approximately 37,000 children live within 25 miles of Gaza. Today, many more thousands of children are impacted as other areas of the country have come under attack. With only 15 seconds to get to safety, families must keep close to their bomb shelters. Three hundred children suffering from severe PTSD syndrome have already been identified as victims of terror.... Full story
Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces a collaboration with the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the passage and signing of the Civil Rights Act, the two organizations will partner to present “The Best of Enemies” from Oct. 15—Nov. 16, 2014 on the Goldman Theater stage. The powerful new play, based on a true story by Mark St. Germain, exposes the poison of prejudice and the beauty of friendship. Single tickets to the play are available now by calling (407)... Full story
Jewish moms, dads and their youngsters gathered at the end of June for the Shalom Families summer kickoff. Kids were able to beat the heat at Downey Park's Splash Pad. Fifteen families came out to enjoy the event. Shalom Families provides opportunities for young families to gather for fun and friendship.... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando announces the establishment of Jewish Teen Education Network (JTEN), an innovative response to the changing needs of today’s teens. JFGO hopes this initiative will act as a clearing house for all Jewish teen education in Central Florida. For more than two decades, Jewish teens have come together to engage in Jewish learning through Beit Hamidrash (the Community Hebrew High School). During this time, more than one thousand teens have come through its doors. As times change and the expectations of teenager... Full story
On Monday June 23, 2014, an Israel Scouts Summer Friendship Caravan came to Orlando as guests of the Boy Scout Troupe 6 at Camp Ithiel. The visit was organized by Scoutmaster Brian Collins, who was first introduced to Israel Scouts (Tzofim) when his son did a bar mitzvah volunteer project. Since that time, Collins has worked on bringing the Tzofim to Orlando and this year his dream became a reality. The Summer Caravan had been traversing Florida last month, visiting summer camps and community... Full story
Music teacher: The Steinmetz Family School of Chai at Congregation of Reform Judaism, Orlando is seeking a music specialist for the 2014-15 school year. The hours are Sundays from 9:15 a.m. -12:45 p.m. Candidates should have a minimum of a basic familiarity with Jewish songs and prayers. The music specialist will teach grades Pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Enthusiasm and ruach is a must! Ability to sing and play an instrument such as guitar or piano required. Sixth-grade teacher: The Steinmetz Family School of Chai at Congregation of... Full story
Wednesday July 2nd, the Jewish community came together to mourn the loss of the three Israeli teens who had been kidnapped on June 12th. Eighteen days after their disappearance, the bodies of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frenkel, were discovered Monday, June 30th. Communities around the world responded with prayer services, letters of condolence to the families and memorials. Here in Orlando, The Jewish Federation, JCRC and GOBOR came together to plan a memorial service. Ina Porth,... Full story
