Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Talia Joy Castellano, known to the online world as Taliajoy18, passed away on July 16, 2013 from metastatic Neuroblastoma, one month before her 14th birthday in Orlando, Fla. Born Aug. 18, 1999, she resided in Oviedo, Fla., New York, N.Y. and Southampton, N.Y. Talia became a YouTube sensation in the last two years of her life after deciding to throw away hats and wigs under the slogan “Make Up is My Wig.” She began making a series of makeup tutorials which, through her knowledge of her cra... Full story
The Meitin Religious School will hold a summer “camp” experience for students. Temple Israel has developed this unique program to help refresh the skills students learned before the summer break. The camp will be a three-day “whirlwind multi-continent trip” with the Passport to Hebrew program featuring a virtual trip to a different continent each evening. Activities will include virtual geo-caching, geography, Jewish culture, music, art and food preparation (and eating) all to help bring H... Full story
From Nov. 4-13, 2013, join the Jewish Federation for a very special mission to Israel that has it all: Hikes through northern nature preserves and visits to spice markets and wineries, ancient historical sites and hi-tech start-ups. Encounters with cutting-edge artists, new immigrants and Israelis from all walks of life. Opportunities to learn about coexistence initiatives, and a magical Shabbat in Jerusalem. The mission culminates with the General Assembly, the Jewish community’s signature annual event. The GA will feature Israel’s Prime Min... Full story
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah is proud to present renowned violinist Matitiahu Braun at its opening meeting Aug. 27 at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom. Matitiahu Braun is a native of Israel where he graduated from the Israel Academy in Tel Aviv. He came to America in 1962 to study at the Juilliard where he received artist and post-graduate diplomas and was the recipient of the prestigious Naumburg Prize. In 1969 he joined the New York Philharmonic, a position he held until 2006. He... Full story
Under the leadership and design supervision of Eagle Scout candidate Max Waldor, the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation is about to finish the construction of its Holocaust Memorial, a tribute to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. At 4’ tall by 8’ wide, this memorial is a collection of stories from the Holocaust, reproduced on tile and via the internet, to honor and describe the experiences of 40 of the Central Florida Jewish community’s loved ones during a terrible chapter in histo... Full story
We are frequent visitors to Israel and have been going there for the past 35 years. We recently returned with our heads filled with visions and sights that resonate with pride and excitement at the unbelievable growth and prosperity that we witnessed as we drove around the country. What we noticed immediately were the automobiles. No longer do Israelis drive around in cars 10 years old, but are racing around (and I do mean racing) in all the same models that we drive here. What makes this so extraordinary is that they have to pay at least... Full story
The Kinneret Council on Aging will proudly pay tribute to eight individuals over the age of 80 who have made significant contributions to the Jewish and Central Florida community on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. “The 8 over 80 event really resonates with the mission of the Kinneret Council on Aging and the inspiring stories we hear about seniors who contribute to our community through leadership, activism, altruism and philanthropy,” says Neal Blaher, president of the Board for the Kinneret Council on Aging. The Kinneret Council on Aging is giv... Full story
Rosh Hashanah may be early for most of us, but the senior group at the Roth Jewish Community Center has already planned for their Meet and Mingle program on Aug. 26. The program committee has invited Rabbi Merrill Shapiro to present to the 39ers to mark the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. This presentation will mark the 110th Anniversary of the publication of the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” with an examination of how anti-Semitism has influence the liturgy of the High Holy Days. Many elements of the traditional High Holy Day liturgy ref... Full story
J-Serve, the International Day of Jewish Youth Service, will be April 6, 2014. 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 tikun 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 2014 i... Full story
Partnership2Getheris a global platform developed by the Jewish Agency for Israel that connects 550 communities around the world in 45 partnerships with cities and towns in Israel. It’s how Jewish communities around the country partner directly with communities in Israel Through P2G, the Greater Orlando Jewish community has built a long-term partnership with Kiryat Motzkin (an Israeli city, north of Haifa). The partnership fosters educational and cultural opportunities in both cities. Annually, JFGO makes a direct allocation from its annual c...
Three months into her position as executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, Olga Yorish is even more determined to make a positive impact on our lives. Born in St Petersburg, Russia, the former refusenik has selflessly dedicated the past 20 years to Jewish Federations, having recently spent 5 ½ years serving as executive director in Greater New Bedford, Mass. “It was a very tired, old fashioned organization that had lost its way. It’s now not the same Federation I foun... Full story
The big celebration is coming up in five years. In 2018, Congregation Ohev Shalom will mark 100 years of service to the Jewish community of Central Florida. But 95 isn’t too shabby, either. Essentially founded in a farmhouse by some of the first Jews to come to Orlando, Ohev Shalom moved into what is its third home two years ago. The new building, at 613 Concourse Parkway S. in Maitland, has been bustling with activity ever since. There aren’t any events being planned specifically for Ohev Shalom’s 95th birthday, but the congregation figur... Full story
While the Jewish Pavilion is known for bringing Judaism to the doorsteps of our elders in long-term care, there is something even more important that we do says Nancy Ludin, executive director. Isolation and loneliness abound in senior communities. The friendships that the Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers provide are priceless. Pictured is Pat Rubenstein with Carol, a resident at Savannah Court. Pat has been visiting and laughing with residents for more than 10 years. Also pictured is Barry... Full story
Each year the Holocaust Memorial Research and Education Center of Florida sponsors a community program in remembrance of Kristallnacht, also known as the November Pogrom, a series of attacks against Jewish communities throughout Germany and parts of Austria. On Nov. 9–10, 1938, thousands of Jewish homes and shops were ransacked and destroyed with sledgehammers, pickaxes and rocks. The streets were left covered in pieces of smashed windows—the origin of the name Kristallnacht, the “Night of Br... Full story
Bingo is back at Congregation Ohev Shalom from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. Everyone age 18 and older is invited to participate in this purely fun event, which benefits the youth of Ohev Shalom. Bingo caller extraordinaire Rabbi David Kay will again call the 10 rounds of play. Prizes for each round include gift certificates from restaurants, movies and leisure activities. The 10th-round prize will be a cash jackpot. Participants may also purchase tickets for a 50/50 cash drawing, High Holiday parking spot, membership to youth groups and a week... Full story
Congregation Beth Sholom of Leesburg invites the community to a festive Shabbat service at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. 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. Zinger was a soloist in the Russian Symphony Orchestra before reaching fame in America. He has performed at Lincoln Center, programs on television, and stage shows with popular musical artists including Ray Charles and Ricky Martin. Allen and Zinger have collaborated in... Full story
At the Jewish Pavilion, volunteering is a family affair. Volunteering offers spouses an opportunity to interact with loved ones, young families an opportunity to learn compassion and teens the opportunity to interact with grandparents. Elizabeth and Emma Bookspan are in the back row and Asa Bookspan and Bea Rozen are sitting in fron... Full story
Abrams & Kaplan Foundation has offered a match up to $25,000 for the school supply project of the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties (FEDVF). For the past 17 years, the Federation has given quality backpacks filled with supplies to more than 65,000 local elementary, middle and high school students in Volusia and Flagler Counties appropriate for their age group. One hundred percent of the donated money goes to purchase this merchandise. FEDVF is now looking for people to meet this match. Only the neediest students receive these... Full story
Jewish National Fund (JNF) will host its annual Tree of Life Award Dinner at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The event will honor Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer 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 devotion to peace and security of human life. Orlando native Buddy Dyer is the dean of Florida’s “big-city” mayors, having ser... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Research and Education Center of Florida in Maitland has recently announced a renovation project that will significantly expand its permanent exhibit. The project will be funded by a grant from the Frances and Joseph Victor Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Florida, one of more than 400 charitable funds established since 1994. The grant will pay for the purchase of new exhibit cases, and a minor reconfiguration so that the museum can display Holocaust-era family... Full story
Dor Shalom will gather for a potluck Shabbat at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 in Longwood. Interested in attending? Visit www.jfgo.org to register today. The event will be held in a private home and address information will be sent to attendees prior to the event. All attendees are asked to bring their favorite vegetarian kosher-style dish prepared for at least 12 people. It will be a great evening to connect with old friends and make new friends, says an event organizer. Everyone 40 and above are welcome, but you’ll need to RSVP to save yourself a seat at t... Full story
A community Erev Tisha B’Av service will be held at Temple Israel at 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 15, in the Rein Sanctuary. Temple Israel is at 50 S. Moss Road, Winter Springs. Congregants from Congregation Beth Am, Congregation Ohev Shalom and Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation will join members of Temple Israel for the service. Anyone else in the community who wishes to attend is cordially invited. Tisha B’Av is the Jewish national period of mourning. The “three weeks” between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av have historically been days of mis... Full story
From Friday July 26 to Sunday July 28, Temple Israel will host a membership weekend to encourage current and prospective members to share Shabbat together. On Friday evening current TI members will invite prospective members to their homes for Shabbat dinner and then accompany them to Kabbalat Shabbat services and Oneg Shabbat at Temple Israel in Winter Springs. The Friday night Shabbat dinners will include at least two longterm Temple Israel members, a recent member and prospective members. This will give the prospective members an... Full story
Larry Marini, president of Congregation Bet Chaim (CBC), has announced the appointment of longtime Central Florida resident Rabbi Thomas (Thom) Werthman as spiritual leader of the Reform synagogue in Casselberry. A native of Pittsburgh, Rabbi Thom, as he is known, graduated in 1970 from Clarion (Pa.) State University with a degree in education, although his final credits came from studying abroad during his final year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Yeshiva Shomrei Emunim. During the e... Full story
Chabad of North Orlando in Lake Mary is about to meet an important milestone. An authentic scribe has been commissioned to begin writing a new Torah scroll. The Torah is the most precious article in Jewish life. It is perfectly intact just as it was received some 3,300 years ago, transcribed by Moses from the words of God. Not one of the Torah’s 304,805 letters has ever been changed. The words read in synagogues today are the exact words recorded by Moses. In addition to the original Torah kept in the Holy Ark, each of the 12 Tribes received a... Full story
