Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3032 - 3056 of 3615
Over Shabbat on Sept. 20, the Jewish community of Orlando will be treated to a fantastic opportunity to hear from a wonderful scholar who will be visiting our area. Dr. Walter Herzberg, assistant professor of Bible and Professional and Pastoral Skills at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America will be the guest scholar-in-residence at the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation (SOJC) on Shabbat morning and will also join a gathering of several local synagogues for Slichot services that... Full story
Casselberry's Congregation Bet Chaim is shaking up the High Holidays this year with a new leadership team designed to engage and inspire members and guests with a combination of traditional and unique. Rabbi Sanford Olshansky, previously of Temple Beth Rishon in Wyckoff, N.J., is already breathing new life into the 23-year-old congregation, Seminole County's first reform temple. "Rabbi Sandy" is a "second career" rabbi whose passion for Judaism led him to begin his rabbinical studies after... Full story
Joe and Lynn Goldovitz, esteemed and multi-talented spiritual leaders of Congregation Sinai, Minneola, Fla., will blow the shofar, play the harp and conduct the upcoming High Holidays. Congregation Sinai is a full-service, family-oriented synagogue that commemorates all lifecycle events. Jewish people all over the world will usher in the Jewish New Year, 5775, a time of new beginnings and of reflection on one’s life, at sundown Wed. Sept 24. The 10 days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the holiest days of the year. It is the anniversary of t... Full story
A few years ago I had the dubious honor of chairing a Jewish Federation committee that collected unpaid pledges made to the Jewish community. We were mostly successful but sometimes we ran into tough eggs who wouldn’t pay up or return phone calls or letters. One day it dawned on me. The trick was finding the right person to make the call, someone who was so respected and admired that his calls could not be shrugged off. Right off — I knew the right guy for this, Charles Schwartz. One person who had made a sizable pledge had dodged me for wee... 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
Last month, community rabbi, Arnold Siegel, affixed a mezuzah to the doorpost of the front entrance to Chambrel Island Lake with the assistance of Executive Director Joff Stride. Several residents looked on as Rabbi Siegel explained that "a mezuzah marks the doorpost of Jewish homes, and contains a scroll inscribed in Hebrew with the most famous Jewish prayer. In addition, it serves as a daily reminder of our heritage." Jewish Pavilian Executive Director Nancy Ludin thanked all who coordinated... Full story
Jewish National Fund (JNF)'s Women for Israel (WFI) will host a breakfast at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The event will feature keynote speaker Noa Gefen. Gefen joined the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS) as executive vice-chairman in January 2011. She is the daughter of the late Yehuda Dekel, z"l, a founder of SPIHS and an esteemed leader of the State of Israel who devoted his life to the development of the Negev. Gefen has followed in her... Full story
On Wednesday, Aug. 20, the students from the Jewish Academy of Orlando had the opportunity to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in a big way. Each student brought his or her own bucket and, grade by grade, had the opportunity to pour ice-cold water on Head of School Alan Rusonik. In addition to participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge, the students used the day to learn about the disease and a fundraising opportunity, as education and tzedakah are part of the school's core values. In... Full story
Temple Shir Shalom of Oviedo invites the community to participate in their second in a series of guest musicians joining in Friday Night Shabbat services. Spiritual Leader Beth Schafer and the TSS Board of Trustees are pleased to welcome visiting artist Peri Smilow for another evening of meaningful music, Shabbat-in-Song, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19. A gifted vocalist and guitar player, Smilow is also an extraordinary storyteller, teacher and entertainer. Connecting with people of all... Full story
On Sunday, Sept. 7, the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando will be kicking off the school year with a middle school pool party from 1-3 p.m. This event, open to all young people in sixth through eighth grade, is only $5. Parents are invited to a brief meeting from 1-1:30 to meet the staff and learn about upcoming programming. Tayarim Connect is the Roth JCC's middle school program leading community-wide social, Judaic and service programs. The program offers positive and meaningful... Full story
On Sunday, Aug. 2, six Orlando Jewish teens left the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando in Maitland to embark on a trip to the largest international gathering of Jewish teens in the world, the JCC Maccabi Games. Also taking place in Cherry Hill, N.J. and Detroit, the Orlando delegation only had a short bus ride to Boca Raton. This summer, over 6,000 Jewish teens participated in the JCC Maccabi Games. The six Orlando 16U boys' basketball team members-Greg Childers, 15, Lake... Full story
ORLANDO-Jewish philanthropist Alan Ginsburg was recently awarded the Benemerenti Medal, a papal honor bestowed by Pope Francis, for his vision in creating a space where Catholic and Jewish students can fulfill their spiritual needs, side by side, while attending the University of Central Florida. Ginsburg funded the construction of the Catholic Campus Ministry Center and adjacent Hillel Center, which opened last year. Bishop John Noonan and Allan Keen, chairman emeritus of the Board of... Full story
Federation's annual meeting reflects on the past and looks to a bright future On Sunday, Aug. 24, community members, rabbis, and staff and leadership from Jewish agencies gathered together for the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's annual meeting, themed "There's no place like home." The event was emceed by JFGO board members Jeannie Leavitt and Yeosh Bendayan, who were in costume as Dorothy (complete with Toto in basket) and the Tin Man, and the crowd was treated to an informative and... Full story
There will be a Relief For Israel Rally at Rollins College Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field, 340 Aragon Ave Winter Park, on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. The special guest speaker will be Matt Staver, J.D., founding member and chairman of Liberty Counsel, and dean of Liberty University School of Law. This event is sponsored by Pastors Blake and Beverly Lorenz of Encounter Church, Orlando.... Full story
Local philanthropist Alan Ginsburg, was completely surprised when instead of arriving at what he thought was a financial meeting with the Catholic Diocese, he was awarded the papal Benemerenti medal, the highest honor that a layperson of any faith can receive from the Catholic pope. The medal was sent from the Vatican to Bishop John Noonan of the Diocese of Orlando, who presented the medal to Ginsburg on Aug. 26 at a surprise luncheon held at the Catholic Campus Ministry Center at UCF. Pope... Full story
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Rabbi Rick Sherwin of Congregation Beth Am in Longwood, Florida will join hundreds of pulpit rabbis from around the country for a one-day symposium on U.S. – Israel relations featuring top thinkers and influential policy makers. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee's third National Rabbinic Symposium, to be held at AIPAC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., will afford Rabbi Rick and the other attendees the opportunity to meet and hear insightful leaders and s... Full story
This year, those who attend the Jewish Pavilion's Fourth Annual Walk in the Park and Family Festival will have a rare opportunity to be captured in a "Generations Photo" by renowned American-Israeli photographer Rinat Halon. Each family that participates will receive a complimentary "generations" photo by Halon and social media-ready image file will be emailed complimentary of Rinat Halon Photography Communications (RHPC). All proceeds from any enlargements of the "Generations" photos will be... Full story
The Mexican Consulate and Casa de Mexico will host an event with Jewish-Mexican piano virtuoso Daniela Liebman playing with the Orlando Philharmonic on Sept. 6 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Liebman, only 12 years of age, has literally conquered the most important stages throughout the world having performed in Mexico, the United States, Europe and Asia. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, she started her musical studies at the age of 3 with her father Rob Liebman, classical violinist by profession, two years later she started her training... Full story
Join Shalom Families/PJ Library and Temple Israel as they celebrate Rosh Hashanah on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. until noon in the Savage Chapel at the synagogue located at 50 S. Moss Road, Winter Springs. There will be shofar blowing, apple printing, PJ Library story time and apples and honey for snacks. The story time book will be “Today is the Birthday of the World,” written by Linda Heller and illustrated by Alison Jay. This is an age-appropriate program for six-month-olds through 5 ½-year-olds, and there is no charge to attend. Olde... Full story
On a very hot "Summer Sunday" morning, more than 200 people-including little Macy Lefkowitz and Eli Kuvin shown here-gathered for a pool party hosted by the JCC's Early Childhood Learning Center and JFGO's Shalom Families/PJ Library. The collaborative program featured lots of time for swimming fun, delicious Mexican food and fruit ice pops. PJ Library books were on hand for families to read after lunch-after all, it's important to wait 30 minutes to swim after you eat. What better way to pass... Full story
The Sefer Torah (Torah Scroll) that is used at the Jewish Academy of Orlando as well as in the community daily Minyan during services on Monday and Thursday mornings, tore at the end of the last school year. The Jewish Academy invited Soferet Rachel Iris Salston, who is a rabbinical student at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, to repair the Torah scroll to welcome our new school year and teach the students the sacred task of being a "soferet." A "soferet" is the feminine... Full story
In translation, that is "happy birthday" in Yiddish, to Morey Solomon, who is one of the oldest volunteers of the Jewish Pavilion. And now the Jewish Pavilion wants to say, "Many thanks to Morey Solomon for leading us in Yiddish class at Chambrel. We have a lot of fun and good laughs while reminiscing and keeping the language current." The students in the class learned how to say "happy birthday" in Yiddish, along with a "bissel of nosh" to celebrate Morey's 88th birthday. The third Thursday of...
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that depression impacts one in 10 Americans. On Aug. 11, Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life after battling with depression for countless years. It’s a taboo illness that can strike anybody, at any time in life. JFS Orlando recognizes depression may be far more common amongst our peers than we may realize, and offers counseling to those fighting the mental illness. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Ad ministration estimates that 90 percent of all suicides a... Full story
Jewish Pavilion volunteers visited residents at Madison House and Health Center Windermere last Friday. The Madison House chef prepared a Shabbat lunch of chicken matzoh ball soup, with challah and apple crisp for dessert. Jewish Pavilion volunteers Laurie Levine and Gloria Green led the short Shabbat service. TooJay's also provided black & white cookies for dessert. At Health Center Windermere, volunteer Marian Bromberg distributed challah rolls and bags of black & white cookies (also... Full story
ORLANDO—As the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus continues to spread – including reports of the first two locally transmitted cases in Florida – the Orange County Health Services Department’s Mosquito Control Division is urging people to protect themselves from possible infection while taking proactive measures to reduce the threat of an outbreak. Chikungunya (“chik-en-GUN-ya”) produces flu-like symptoms characterized by high fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash, according to the Centers... Full story
