Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3087 - 3111 of 3604
The formulation of the Zionistas, an organization of Christians and Jews who love and support Israel, began over lunch at the Garden Gate Tea Room in Mt. Dora. Owner Karen Sandvick, originally from Norway, spent her earlier years as a photojournalist working for international news organizations. She has been a devoted supporter of Israel since her first assignment to Israel. At the end of June, the doors closed at the Tea Room and the Zionistas lunched there for their last visit on June 25. The... Full story
Entertainer Penny D'Agostino graced the residents of Conway Lakes, a Jewish Pavilion sponsor, with a show of old favorites and Broadway tunes. The residents, staff and Jewish Pavilion volunteers sang along with D'Agostino as she provided the words on the big screen TV creating a great afternoon program for everyone.... Full story
"Hine(y) ma tov u'ma-nayim, Shevet ach-im gam ya-chad," reads the first verse of Psalms 133. ""Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" As American Jews across the country joined together in solidarity to express concern for the three Israeli teens who were kidnapped on June 13, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and the Greater Orlando Board of Rabbis organized a #BringBackOurBoys solidarity vigil for Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrah... Full story
Temple L'Chayim Synagogue is now settled in its permanent home in Clermont. They had a Torah Walk on Friday evening, May 23, and even their oldest member, Millie Altholz, 99, joined in the walk. Altholz will be 100 years old on Jan. 14, 2015. The congregants wanted her to sit at the synagogue during the walk, however, she felt the honor was too great not to walk and so she walked. Altholz is actively involved in synagogue life as the synagogue's telephone chairman and does a magnificent job,... Full story
When the L'Oreal (Maybelline) president, Frederic Roze, encouraged all personnel to dedicate Friday, June 13, to volunteering in their local community, Kim Schiller immediately contacted Jewish Pavilion to offer her time and enthusiasm. Schiller is passionate about volunteering and giving back to her community but her long hours at work, and family obligations, often prevent her from such an opportunity. June 13 was dedicated to volunteering for her. She shared Shabbat with many seniors living... Full story
Brown's New York Deli in Maitland is celebrating its one-year anniversary for the entire week of June 30 through July 6. Kosher reubens (the most popular item on the menu) will be half price all week. There will be free mini potato knishes for all who walk through the door and daily drawings for free meals. According to owner, Lauren Brown, "The first year of a restaurant is the most challenging. We have been very pleased with the reviews and responses to our product and service." On July 1,... Full story
In January 2013, new Maitland resident, Amy McCully and her husband Kyle, received a postcard in the mail advertising the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando's sports & fitness programs. They had been shopping for a place to work out and take group exercise classes, and found that the JCC was the perfect fit. "I was in a group fitness class just about everyday," said McCully, who at the time was running the children's tennis program at the Winter Park Tennis Center. Her love for... Full story
The National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs has announced that Jewish Community Center's Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus has been awarded Accreditation. As an Accredited center, the JCC's Rosen Campus has been recognized as an early care and education program exemplifying excellence in the care of young children. By achieving accreditation, the JCC demonstrates that it provides a high quality program for children, professional development opportunities f... Full story
Residents of Chambrel Island Lake and Southland Suites were welcomed as guests to a tea party at Machaneh Ohev. Camp Director Amy Geboff coordinated this program along with Jewish Pavilion Program Director Emily Newman to join the seniors with the 7th and 8th graders of Machaneh Ohev. The theme for this program was welcoming guests to a tea party as seen in the Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast." The teens and the seniors decorated tea cups together while sipping iced-tea and enjoying... Full story
Yvonne David suffered the loss of her father last September, and because she was swept up in her grief, she joined a grief support group sponsored by VITAS and the Jewish Pavilioin. This is her account of the support group and how it has helped her. David's article about the first three weeks of the class was published in the May 9 issue. The second half of the free six-week VITAS Bereavement Support Group course dealt with developing a new self-identity, searching for meaning, and receiving... Full story
Sunday, June 8, Fabienne Kaplan was chosen Woman of the Year at the closing luncheon of Temple Israel Sisterhood for the year 2013-14. The luncheon was held in the Roth Social Hall at the synagogue, and new officers for 2014-15 also were announced. The officers are: president, Cathy Swerdlow; VP education, Nancy Stern; Co-VPs of membership, Nicki D’Amato and Patty Rose; VP programming, Mollie Savage; VP fundraising, Sheri Denberg; corresponding secretary, Sandy Oser; recording secretary, Fanny Sernik; and treasurer, Roberta Schreiber. The p... Full story
Jewish National Fund (JNF) recently hosted a number of events in Orlando with goodwill ambassador for Israel and basketball legend Tal Brody. He is shown here with students from the K-2 class at the Jewish Academy of Orlando.... Full story
Jewish Family Services Orlando is hosting a chef’s challenge dining event that will test well-known chefs in Central Florida to prepare a four-course dinner by using ingredients found solely from JFS Orlando’s Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry. Contestants in the Pantry to Plate: A Chef’s Challenge Event, emceed by celebrity Chef Cat Cora, are Kathleen Blake of The Rusty Spoon, Hari Pulapaka of Cress Restaurant and John Rivers of 4 Rivers Smokehouse and The COOP. Their culinary cuisine will be judged on taste, presentation, and creativity. The e... Full story
Moshe Pelli, professor and program director of the Judaic Studies Program, is the 2014 winner of the AJL Judaica Bibliography Award. The award, funded by Eric Chaim Kline of Los Angeles, was established to encourage the publication of outstanding Judaica bibliographies. The Association of Jewish Libraries honored Pelli for his recent book. "The Journals of the Haskalah (Hebrew Enlightenment) from 1820 to 1845," which includes monographs and annotated indices to eight Hebrew periodicals... Full story
Jewish National Fund (JNF) recently hosted a series of events throughout Orlando with Goodwill Ambassador for Israel and basketball legend Tal Brody. At Bagels and Basketball - A Lawyers for Israel Breakfast on May 15, Brody addressed the local law community on his experience with Maccabi Basketball and how this framed Israel as the "Sports Capital of the Middle East." The event was chaired by Ed Milgrim and hosted at the Alfond Inn. Later that evening, at Beer and Basketball - A JNF Guy's... Full story
While the weather outside was cloudy and showers were sporadic, close to 50 golfers happily gathered for the second annual Pavilion Golf Society Tournament on Sunday, June 1, at Alaqua Country Club. Thanks to sponsorships from Fifth Third Bank, IOA, Sonny's BBQ, advertisers and hole sponsors, the Jewish Pavilion raised over $16,000 to support the Orlando Senior Help Desk. Proceeds allow seniors and family members to obtain the assistance and guidance they need when faced with a crisis. Senior... Full story
Back by popular demand, a troupe of Israeli Tzofim, Scouts, will perform in Ocala on June 22 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 7171 SW Highway 200 in Ocala. The performance will feature songs in Hebrew, Yiddish and English sung by the 16-17 year old Scouts showcasing the diversity and the uniqueness of the State of Israel. The performers will also reach out to the audience and encourage everyone to join in joyous dance and song. The program is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $12 per person; $11 for students. For further... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion is always certain to engage all members of the family in all parts of residents' lives as much as possible. Memorial Day at the Pavilion is not just an extended weekend to barbeque and enjoy the sun at the beach but a time for celebration to honor U.S. soldiers. This past Memorial Day the Pavilion volunteers met at Savannah Court Senior Living for a fun day of festivities in remembrance of those who gave their lives for freedom. Residents at Savannah Court were entertained... Full story
Shown here are friends playing mahjong while celebrating the 97th birthday of May Gitles (center). Mrs. Gitles enjoys the company of these Jewish Pavilion volunteers, each week along with the strategies and enjoyment of a game of mahjong. For the people living in senior living communities, a game of mahjong may not be so easy to come by. Volunteers are welcome to join in this game and others in Maitland, Altamonte Springs and Sanford. Call the office at 407-678-9363 for more information on where a game is taking place.... Full story
On Tuesday, May 27 the 13 members of the Jerome J. Bornstein Leadership Program participated in a graduation ceremony at the home of Judy Kahan. The members of the class brought family members to celebrate their graduation from this prestigious leadership program. The evening began with Roz Fuchs giving a history of the program she helped create 22 years ago. Fuchs was pleased to see the program continuing to thrive and produce leadership for the Jewish community. The group nominated two... Full story
At its May meeting, Senior Rabbi Aaron D. Rubinger advised the full Board of Trustees of Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland, of his decision—in consultation with the other clergy and lay leadership—to authorize same-sex Jewish unions at the synagogue, and Torah honors for same-sex Jewish couples. The state of Florida does not recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions. However, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards—the body which interprets Jewish religious law for Conservative Judaism, Ohev Shalom’s denomination—adopted a ruling in... Full story
The children of the Gan Rishonim Four's class at the Roth Jewish Community Center's Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center in Maitland recently performed a big mitzvah, by collecting money to purchase items for sick children. In total, the children raised $287.15 for the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. The gift was accepted by hospital representative, Whitney Pitsch (far left). The teachers of the class are Allison Brown (beside Pitsch) and Orna Jaffe (far... Full story
From acclaimed director Pawel Pawlikowski ("Last Resort," "My Summer of Love") comes "Ida," a moving and intimate drama about a young novitiate nun in 1960s Poland who, on the verge of taking her vows, discovers a dark family secret dating from the terrible years of the Nazi occupation. Eighteen-year-old Anna (stunning newcomer Agata Trzebuchowska), a sheltered orphan raised in a convent, is preparing to become a nun when the Mother Superior insists she first visit her sole living relative.... Full story
The Jewish Community of Marion County was fortunate to complete a new Torah on Sunday, June 1. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the community joined together to welcome a brand new Sefer Torah with a completion and dedication ceremony. Participants filled in a letter of the Torah, alongside the scribe during the completion ceremony, which was held at On Top Of The World Communities, in the Live Oak & Cypress Halls, 8413 SW 80th Street, Ocala. Celebrations continued with a parade around Circle Square Commons, followed by a lunch buffet.... Full story
Congregation Beth Sholom of Leesburg invites the public to join Rabbi Karen Allen for its Friday evening service on Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m. Following the service, please join the congregation for coffee and refreshments at the Oneg Shabbat. Guests are encouraged to stay and enjoy the warmth and friendship of “The Synagogue That Feels like Family.” The synagogue is located at 315 North 13th Street in Leesburg, with the entrance on Center Street. For more information see the website at bethsholomflorida.org or call congregation President Lin... Full story
