Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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In the early 1960s, Abe and Zelig Wise developed the neighborhood of Palomar, in northern Orange County. Many of the early residents were Jewish. In mid-2016, the former and current residents of Palomar gathered to take a group photo. This photograph was to be part of the exhibit at the Orange County Historical Museum celebrating 100 years of Jewish life in Orlando. The evening was a reunion of friends from the neighborhood. It was a wonderful time of renewing acquaintances and celebrating their... Full story
StandWithUs, an international, nonprofit Israel education organization founded in 2001, recently selected Samantha Gabbai, a senior at Winter Park High School, for the StandWithUs High School Internship program 2019-2020. Danielle Garsten was selected as SWU’s Emerson Fellow at UCF. The StandWithUs High School Internship Program is a high school leadership program that prepares students for the challenges they may face regarding Israel in college and in their communities. Students in both the HS Internship and Emerson Fellows attend two confere... Full story
Looking for help to build your family tree? Then come to the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando on Sept. 3, to jumpstart your research. Two career medical professionals who have been doing genealogy for years will share with you many valuable lessons they just learned from the world's top genealogists. Dr. Diane Jacobs, and Dr. Richard Signer of Central Florida recently attended the annual conference held by the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies. Jacobs and... Full story
On Sept. 14, children will gather at two local Chabad Centers to experience Rosh Hashanah through an interactive farmers market. "We wanted to do something different," said Chanshy Majesky, co-director of Chabad of North Orlando. While the Jewish New Year is well-known for its long services and serious prayers, Majesky wanted to "let kids experience the fun side of the holiday." Children will get a fresh start to the year by visiting each stand at the Rosh Hashanah market. As they go from booth... Full story
On average, one person dies by suicide every three hours in the state of Florida. In fact, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the state. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Data & Statistics Fatal Injury Report for 2017) That is why this summer JFS Orlando’s mental health counselors and front-line staff participated in the Florida Implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Project. FINS is a collaborative partnership between the University of Central F... Full story
The Zionist Organization of America, Florida chapter will present a lecture by Jonathan Matusitz, Ph.D., titled "18 years after 9/11, what have we learned? The reasons for terrorism" on Sept. 11 at the Roth Family JCC, 7:30 p.m. Matusitz is currently a tenured associate professor in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at the University of Central Florida. His research focuses on the role of communication in terrorism, symbolism in terrorism, the globalization of culture, and health... Full story
For the fifth straight year, on average, students at Jewish Academy of Orlando are performing at least two grade levels ahead of their peers nationwide. The test scores, from April 2019, were taken using the nationally recognized Iowa Test of Basic Skills®, commonly known as the "Iowa Assessments." The Iowa Assessment is a nationally standardized achievement test for K-12 students, allowing schools to compare their students' scores to national norms in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics,... Full story
Baby Nicolette and little Phillip Jr. are the shining spots and the motivation for Gerline and her husband, Phillip. "That's what I'm fighting for everyday," Gerline says. "For me and my itty-bittys and my husband. He's not giving up and I'm not either. When I look at them, it's all worth it." Growing up as the oldest daughter, Gerline was always the responsible one. At the age of 21, she became the head of her household, taking care of her mother and her younger brother and sister. She juggled... Full story
Chabad of South Orlando now offers Hebrew school for grades K-7 in two locations: In Doctor Phillips at 7347 W. Sand Lake Rd. on Sundays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. In Winter Garden Stoney Brook Town Center, two Sundays a month, 11 a.m. -1 p.m. The schools offer the Aleph Champ Hebrew reading program, cooking, drama and art, Jewish history and culture, bar/bat mitzvah preparations, and holiday programs. For more details and to sign up: JewishOrlando.com/hebrewschool or call 407-354-3660.... Full story
On Aug. 2nd, Ruth Donenfeld, a new resident of Cascade Heights, enjoyed her first service with the Jewish Pavilion. Michelle Bilsky, a volunteer for the Jewish Pavilion, led the service. Donenfeld had moved in just three weeks prior to coming to her first service and she found the atmosphere pleasant. She had an interesting life growing up during some of the greatest tragedies and triumphs of the 1900s. Anti-semitism was rampant during her childhood. She recalled the during her 4th grade year a... Full story
Students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando have been back to school for one week now and are really cracking the books, working hard. But first some fun with selfies! Jewish Academy of Orlando serves central Florida students of all faiths from grades kindergarten through fifth. The school delivers a whole-child education fostering academic excellence and character education rooted in Jewish values. Jewish Academy of Orlando is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools. Beginning... Full story
According to a newsletter sent to all COS members via email, Congregation Ohev Shalom experienced a ransomware attack on its main server on Monday, Aug. 5. Ohev administration contacted the Maitland Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. Taking the lead in the investigation, the FBI does not believe the synagogue was targeted by an anti-Semitic group. “Nothing was ‘taken’ or ‘captured,’” clarified Steven Hornik, Ohev president. Certain data and files on the main server were encrypted and aren’t accessible. T... Full story
From Israeli dance instructor to cantorial soloist, Debbie Meitin has proven that her talents span across many disciplines. Meitin's Judaic foundation began as a young adult growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, where she sang and performed as a member of the youth choir in her synagogue, and actively participated in USY in high school. And while studying for a degree in medical technology, Meitin stayed active in Jewish life as a member of the Hillel chapter at Michigan State. While attending USY and... Full story
Dr. David Diamond was appointed on Aug. 8th by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Florida Board of Medicine. Dr. Diamond is a co-medical director of Florida Radiation Oncology, an independent cancer treatment center in Winter Park. The Florida Board of Medicine is the state agency tasked with protecting and enhancing the public's health, safety, and welfare by establishing and maintaining standards of excellence used in regulating the practice of medicine through licensure, discipline and education. Dr.... Full story
If you would like to know more about JFS Orlando and everything this agency does, take a tour of its center and hear about the people who have been helped. Join staff members for coffee, a light breakfast and a tour at the next Coffee Connections on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 8 a.m. JFS Orlando is located at the George and Madeline Wolly Center, 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park, FL 32789.... Full story
Dear Editor: In today’s Heritage Florida Jewish News (Aug. 9, 2019), the obituary titled “Richard Stone, Florida’s first Jewish senator since Civil War, dies at 90,” Josefin Dolsten of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency wrote that David Levy Yulee, the first Jewish senator from Florida, who served from 1855 to 1861, converted to Christianity. Actually he served from 1845 to 1861. More important, there is no proof that David Levy Yulee ever converted. Not only was he Florida’s first senator and Florida’s first Jewish senator but he was the first J... Full story
Applications for Jewish Educational Loan Fund’s interest-free loans for higher education (college, graduate school and vocational programs) for Jewish students in the Orlando area (Orange and Seminole Counties) for the period January through August 2020 will be open September 1-30. JELF, in partnership with The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando, provides interest-free last dollar loans for higher education to Jewish students in need bridging the gap between a student’s total financial resources and the cost of attending school. To qua... Full story
Congregation Sinai helps the community celebrate all Jewish holidays with special events, educational programs and services. Congregation Sinai classes are open to the general public. Numerous services and events are open and free to the community. Jewish Youth Education: Sunday School at Congregation Sinai is now open for registration and in session most Sundays throughout the school year. Sessions are held between 10 a.m. and noon most every Sunday morning. Sinai readily accommodates children of a variety of ages from preschool to bar/bat... Full story
It has been a year of unprecedented change for the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. Much of that change—and what it means for the larger Central Florida Jewish community—will be discussed Sunday, Aug. 25, during JFGO’s 2019 Annual Meeting at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center in Maitland. The annual meeting comes nearly seven months after the Federation and JCC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to share certain staff and services while both organizations continue to operate independently. The shared services have... Full story
By Hope McCormack Cascade Heights has the privilege of having a wonderful Shabbat service almost every week. The third week of July was no different. The service was led by Program Director Susan Bernstein who started the service with everyone's favorite song Bim Bam that transitioned effortlessly into Hee-Nay Ma Tov. She is a wonderful guitar player and everyone enjoyed her playing along to the prays. Bernstein told the story of Joseph and how his brothers sold him into slavery because of his v... Full story
Soak up the last bit of summer with Temple Israel's sixth annual Sha-Ba-BQ on Friday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. at 50 South Moss Road in Winter Springs. This special indoor and outdoor celebration features great food, drinks, music, and children's activities, all for free. Grab some delicious kosher barbeque hot off the grill, pile on the sides, and then cool off as you dine inside the air-conditioned Roth Social Hall. Check out the kids' crafts and games inside the classrooms before heading to the... Full story
For more than 50 years, Dr. Harry Rein, Esq. has served our community as the only doctor-lawyer-judge in the United States. His unique expertise in both the medical and legal fields have made him a highly sought-after speaker and witness. In addition to his professional career, Rein has been a longtime leader and supporter of the Jewish community. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at The Roth Family JCC as we pay tribute to Dr. Rein's career with a... Full story
The RAISE program for adults with special needs is now accepting online applications for RAISE employees as well as opportunities to volunteer as a job coach. RAISE is a 6- to 12-month work and social skills training program for adults with special needs offered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. RAISE provides paid employment at our partnering agencies. If you know of someone who may benefit from RAISE please apply online by clicking on BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS at jfgo.org/RAISE. If you are interested in volunteering as a... Full story
Spark Orlando, Orlando's organization that inspires and educates Jewish women, is kicking off another year of Jewish programming for the 2019-2020 year. Join in the kick off event on Monday, Aug. 19, at The Roth Family JCC in Maitland with delicious appetizers, great cocktails and inspiration from world-renowned guest speaker Nili Couzens. Couzens is a Momentum trip leader and international guest speaker who has been teaching and inspiring Jewish audiences for over 20 years. Couzens's... Full story
The RAISE program for adults with special needs is now accepting online applications for RAISE employees as well as opportunities to volunteer as a job coach. RAISE is a 6- to 12-month work and social skills training program for adults with special needs offered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. RAISE provides paid employment at our partnering agencies. If you know of someone who may benefit from RAISE please apply online by clicking on BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS at jfgo.org/RAISE. If you are interested in volunteering as a... Full story
