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  • PJ Library books and ice pops make 'Summer Sunday' fun

    Aug 29, 2014

    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

  • Salston visits Jewish Academy of Orlando

    Aug 29, 2014

    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

  • 'A freilekhn geburtstog' to Morey

    Aug 29, 2014

    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...

  • Depression-it's a heavy word, but JFS can help

    Aug 29, 2014

    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 visit residents for Shabbat services

    Aug 29, 2014

    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

  • Health awareness report: Orange County urges proactive measures to combat
 mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus

    Aug 29, 2014

    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

  • Jewish Academy rings in 37th year

    Aug 22, 2014

    It was all backpacks and smiles as the Jewish Academy of Orlando began its 37th school year on Tuesday, Aug. 12. When asked about the new school year, second grader Noah Talsky said, "It was a good day... all the kids in second grade get their own laptop!" and eighth grader Ashlinn Thomas stated, "It was so much fun; it was easier to get into the same routine." A new school year is full of optimism and possibility, and the Jewish Academy has it in abundance. With new Head of School Alan Rusonik... Full story

  • Applications now accepted for J-Serve

    Aug 22, 2014

    J-Serve is the International Day of Jewish Youth Service. Since 2005, J-Serve has been a part of Youth Service America’s Global Youth Service Day weekend. J-Serve provides teens with the opportunity to fulfill the Jewish values of gemilut chasidim, acts of loving kindness, tzedakah, just and charitable giving, and tikkum olam, the responsibility to repair the world. Across the globe, teens join each other to make their community and the world a better place. J-Serve 2015 is in partnership with Repair the World, Youth Service America, and Rock t... Full story

  • Chabad of North Orlando has a 'think club' for Jewish teens

    Aug 22, 2014

    Empowering Teens to Build a More Meaningful and Value-driven Society. Beginning Oct. 24 Chabad of North Orlando will be offering The JLI Teens Discovery Program, a think-and-debate club for Jewish high school students. This program encourages teens to think deeply about their identity and values as they discuss real-life situations and debate fascinating solutions to life's intriguing conundrums. "Adolescence is a time in which teens struggle between dependence and independence as they attempt... Full story

  • Shalom Families committee earns JFGO Creative Programming award

    Aug 22, 2014

    This August, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is recognizing outstanding leaders who have made an impact in Jewish Orlando this past year. The awards presentation will be made on Aug. 24 at the JFGO Annual Meeting. This year's Creative Programming Award will be given to the Shalom Families Committee: Whitney Kuvin, Aleah Matthews, Fiona Anavi, Pam Weissman and Julie Oshins. The Creative Programming Award is given annually by the Federation to a person or committee that through... Full story

  • Boy Scouts have fun from New Mexico to Georgia

    Aug 22, 2014

    Hundreds of miles apart, the Scouts of Boy Scout Troop 641 finished the summer with fun and adventure. Thirteen boys and their leaders concluded a successful week at Camp Woodruff in northern Georgia. The Scouts, combined, earned over 50 merit badges at the camp, including shotgun shooting, archery, personal fitness, forestry, gaming and many more. A day of white water rafting and horseback riding were some of the highlights of the week. Two of the Troop's Scouts returned from a week at... Full story

  • Roth JCC Maitland and Rosen JCC to become separate entities

    Aug 8, 2014

    ORLANDO-The Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando announces that effective June 1, 2015, the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando in Maitland (established 1973) and the Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Jewish Community Campus in Dr. Phillips (established 2009) will become separate 501c3 non-profit agencies. The JCC's board of directors voted 26-0 at the July 22 board meeting in favor of moving forward with this next phase of its anticipated plan to reorganize its corporate... Full story

  • For Sandi Solomon, Casselberry's future is her focus

    Christine DeSouza, Assistant Editor|Aug 8, 2014

    If someone needs to get something done in Casselberry, call Sandi Solomon. Running for her third term as Casselberry city commissioner seat 3, Solomon has that rare ability to see what needs to be done and gets it done. Eight years ago, Solomon retired after 35 years of teaching elementary school in Seminole County. Wondering what she was going to do, she took a month-long trip to Israel. It wasn't her first trip-she's been four times-and probably won't be her last. In fact, she says, "If I coul... Full story

  • Rabbi Schwartz and Cantor Kriger to lead High Holidays services at Temple L'Chayim

    Aug 8, 2014

    Temple L'Chayim, a Reform congregation in Clermont, has engaged the services of Rabbi Howard Schwartz and Cantor Isaac Kriger to lead the congregation for this year's High Holiday services. The two clergy will provide "a very special blend for the spirituality and musical enhancement of the services." Rabbi Schwartz, a native of Miami, comes to Temple L'Chayim with a wide rabbinical background. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Oh... Full story

  • Year-round programming only at the JCC

    Aug 8, 2014

    Summer is winding down and soon the campers will all be heading back to school. The Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando had a phenomenal summer filled with field trips, swimming, singing, and a lot of memories. The fun doesn't stop at the JCC after their national-award winning camp ends. The JCC has exciting and enriching year-round programming for children, including the afterschool program, J University, for children in kindergarten-fifth grade. Children are picked up at local scho... Full story

  • Promoting safer schools: Quick tips for students, educators, and parents

    Bailey Robb, UpStanders coordinator HMREC|Aug 8, 2014

    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

  • Walk in honor of those who walked before us

    Aug 8, 2014

    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

  • Do you know a mensch?

    Aug 8, 2014

    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

  • Community shows support at an Israel Solidarity Gathering

    Alan Kornman|Aug 1, 2014

    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

  • Rusonik takes the helm at JAO

    Kim Fischer, Associate Editor|Aug 1, 2014

    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

  • Weiss-a wise choice for judge

    Christine DeSouza, Assistant Editor|Aug 1, 2014

    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

  • Upcoming Civil Rights programs sponsored by HMREC

    Aug 1, 2014

    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

  • Beth Am presents Disaster Preparedness workshop

    Aug 1, 2014

    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

  • Renowned violinist returns for Kabbalat Shabbat service

    Aug 1, 2014

    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

  • Meet three dedicated and adored Jewish Pavilion volunteers

    Aug 1, 2014

    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

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