Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 1101 - 1125 of 3568
Monday evening, July 22, the Maitland City Council, in a 3-1 vote, approved the zoning change needed before the Jewish Federation could move forward with the sale of the vacant JCC building. The way is now cleared to retire the remaining debt on the campus and will be the first time since the 1980s that the Jewish Community Campus has been debt free. Federation Executive Director Keith Dvorchik announced that the closing on the sale of the building should be complete within the next 60 days. Three years ago, the Federation set a goal to retire... Full story
Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando is pleased to welcome its new executive director, Philip Flynn. He brings to JFS more than 35 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations. His career has engaged international medical programs, higher education, religious organizations and animal sanctuaries—nonprofits small and large. He has presented internationally as a motivational speaker for non-profit professionals, lectured extensively on revenue enhancement program development and is sought after for macro organizational reviews t... Full story
For the past two years, Orlando synagogue Men's Clubs, with support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, generous premier sponsors Alan Ginsburg and Aaron Gorovitz, and several other sponsors, have brought three generations of Jewish men together for an evening of camaraderie, top-shelf cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, prime rib dinner (catered by Arthur's) and entertainment by a recognized comedian. This year will be no different-except for a few surprises-one of which is a raffle for the... Full story
Dr. Lee Adler recently arranged a photo shoot at Cascade Heights for the Jewish Pavilion. Bernice Davids was one of the models. She had been a very active volunteer for the Jewish Pavilion for many years. A few years ago, she and her husband, Joe, received the Volunteers of the Year Award. Bernice was briefly interviewed about her life prior to the photographing, and this is what the Jewish Pavilion learned. Bernice Davids was born in Cleveland on June 3, 1930. She lived most of her life in Phil... Full story
Many people have wondered what would happen to the Kehillah exhibit once it was removed from the Orange County Regional History Center. After much consideration of what was actually possible, the organizers realized the exhibit could be made available online to anyone interested in the Jewish history of greater Orlando. "It has taken us longer than we hoped to make this happen, but the results are spectacular, and seeing it all online is very exciting," commented Roz Fuchs, who chaired the task force for the exhibit. "We owe a big thank you to... Full story
Last week, middle school campers from the JCC Camp J visited with residents of Brookdale Lake Orienta in Altamonte Springs. They spent several hours playing games and spending quality time getting to know the residents. It was a wonderful partnership between the two groups. - Julie Levitt... Full story
The Congregation Beth Sholom Sisterhood will have their monthly meeting on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m. The meetings are held at the Beth Sholom Synagogue located at 315 North 13th Street in Leesburg with the entrance on Center Street. The meeting and presentation are open to the public. Following the business meeting, there will be wonderful presentation by Marsha Stemerman, our Gabbai, who will share insightful and entertaining stories and information. This is a great opportunity to meet the warm and friendly women of Congregation Beth Sholom... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando recently hired Rebecca Tregerman as the director of Outreach and Engagement. In that role, Tregerman will oversee the Federation's PJ Library, PJ Our Way and Jewish Teen Education Network programs. Tregerman grew up in Kalamazoo, Mich., and fostered her Jewish identity and love for Israel with Young Judaea. After completing her undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University, she worked in public health research and policy in Washington, D.C., for... Full story
Best-selling author Jenna Blum, who rose to prominence with 2004’s Holocaust-themed novel “Those Who Save Us,” will be in Maitland next month to discuss her latest work, “The Lost Family”—just released in paperback—which last year was named a summer must-read by The Jewish Journal, JewishBoston.com and Detroit Jewish News. Blum will speak at 7 p.m. Aug. 27, at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center as part of the JCC Cultural Arts Department’s Visiting Author Series. Blum’s talk will also se... Full story
The Heritage Florida Jewish News won two awards in the Florida Press Association Awards contest. Christine DeSouza took first place in the Arts, Entertainment & Review Reporting category for the article “Harriett Lake’s wardrobe lives on in a coffee-table book.” (Oct. 5, 2018) “I love it when I am rewarded for writing a fun article!” said DeSouza. The Heritage then took third place in the Serious Column category for “Do we see the battle?” by DeSouza (June 29, 2018). This was an opinion piece about the chipping away of our American cult... Full story
(JNS)-The principal of a high school in the heavily Jewish-populated Florida city of Boca Raton was reassigned on Monday following an explosive report that he declined to recognize that the Holocaust occurred. Spanish River Community High School principal William Latson told a mother of a student in April 2018 who sought to ensure that Holocaust education was "a priority" that "not everyone believes the Holocaust happened." "And you have your thoughts, but we are a public school, and not all of... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion has long been partnering with Pet Rescue by Judy, a "no kill shelter" that rescues dogs and cats and prepares them for adoption. The partnership takes the form of pet visitations to Siena and Cordova at Oakmonte Village in Lake Mary known as "Licks and Hugs" once each month. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health which release endorphins that produce a calming effect. Having pets around also diminishes overall physical... Full story
Former Jewish Academy of Orlando students who graduated from area high schools this year enjoyed a reunion held in the library of the Jewish Academy of Orlando at the end of the academic year. Historically, Jewish Academy of Orlando graduates continue on to some of the best colleges in the country. The Class of 2019 was no exception. Graduates from the Class of 2019 will be studying at University of California in Berkley, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin in Madison, University... Full story
Zena Sulkes has dedicated her professional life to education. As a Hebrew School Aid at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Detroit, Sulkes began to feel her way around the classroom and understand the essential elements that make for a successful educator. After graduating from the University of Michigan, she started her teaching career in the public schools in Michigan, Baltimore and Illinois. A move to Clearwater, Florida, afforded Zena the opportunity to transfer from public education to Hebrew ed...
The Jewish Pavilion welcomes Hope McCormack to their staff of program directors. The Jewish Pavilion has been a part of McCormack's life for over 10 years. "For my bat mitzvah project, I delivered challahs to the elderly," McCormack said. "I enjoyed meeting the elderly and learning their side of history as everyone has different life experiences." After her project ended, she continued to help out at the Jewish Pavilion by helping with services and other events as a volunteer. So when an... Full story
Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer was recently awarded the American Conference of Cantors President's Award for Volunteerism at the recent ACC-GTM Convention in Atlanta on June 23, 2019. Rawiszer-shown here with (left) Cantor Steven Weiss, president of the American Conference of Cantors, and Dr. Michael Freidman-received the award for exceptional leadership and in recognition of her commitment and dedication to Jewish music and the cantorate.... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida would like to make the following statement regarding the humanitarian crisis currently facing immigrants in the United States today: As echoed through our mission, the Holocaust Center believes in using the history and lessons of the Holocaust to build a just and caring community free of anti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry. One such lesson is of those seeking to escape persecution, poverty, and oppression by seeking asylum within the United States. The mistreatment... Full story
Are you interested in learning more about the Jewish history of Spain? Then register for “The Jewish Golden Age of Spain: From Glory to Exile” taught by Jewish educator Charlene Neely at Temple Israel this fall. The free course will be taught over three Sundays on Oct. 27, Nov. 3, and Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon each session. The course, which Neely created, shares the story of a 1,000-year-old community that created a lasting legacy in the arts and philosophy. Topics include Spanish life under Islam, including poetry, music, and arc... Full story
Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel was recognized by the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida for its 25 years of membership at their annual meeting in Clearwater, June 7. Beth Shalom was founded by Manny Adams and Sammy Goldstein in 1984 and is the only Independent Jewish funeral home in Central Florida. Originally located on Gore Street in Downtown Orlando, the company relocated to its current facility on Lee Road in 1999. Beth Shalom is privileged to continue to have the honor of serving families in Central Florida, throughout the state and... Full story
Friday, July 12th: A meaningful Shabbat service at 7 p.m. led by Rabbi Karen Allen. Join the family-like celebration, followed by refreshments at the Oneg Shabbat allowing everyone to mingle with old and new friends. The synagogue is located at 315 North 13th St. in Leesburg, with the entrance on Center Street. More information is available on the synagogue website: http://bethsholomflorida.org/ or by calling the synagogue at 352-326-3692. Thursday, July 18th: Join Rabbi Karen Allen for the 1 p.m. monthly roundtable discussion. It is held at... Full story
Cyndie Ellman lost her husband in July and attended grief counseling with a lovely woman who was unaware of her faith and "just didn't get it." She then tried a secular grief support group run by one of the hospices, and again "they just didn't get it." Her third try was a charm. Ellman is currently participating in a Grief Support Group co-sponsored by the Jewish Pavilion and VITAS Hospice. The magic formula" was in the facilitator. "Rabbi Maurice Kaprow gets it... he provides support from a Jewish perspective and that made all the difference... Full story
On Sunday, July 14, at 5:30 p.m. Congregation Beth Am in Longwood will be hosting mentalist Mark Stone for an evening with dinner and a show that will amaze you. Stone is one of the nations most sought after entertainers. Having acquired an interest in E.S.P., he began developing his skills while at the University of Maryland. An open-mic night at a lounge in Baltimore launched his career as an entertainer that led to performances at New York’s Upstairs at the Downstairs and Dangerfield’s. A c... Full story
The congregants of B'nai Torah, a progressive conservative synagogue, were truly moved to tears at a recent mother and daughter b'not mitzvah. The mother, Lisa Ravede, is a convert to Judaism. The daughter, Shoshana, has a chromosome deficiency and cannot speak. Together Lisa and Shoshana shared the special occasion on Saturday, June 15, which also happened to be the birthday of proud husband and father, Jimi. Making it a real family affair, brother Asher, who celebrated his bar mitzvah two... Full story
A unique opportunity is coming to Jewish high school students in Orlando this fall: the chance to earn two private college credits while exploring the tenets of Judaism. The course is being offered by CTeen U: a collaboration of Yeshiva University and CTeen International. Yeshiva University is the world’s premier Jewish institution for higher education. It is home to a network of undergraduate and graduate programs. The undergraduate programs offer a unique dual curriculum comprising Jewish studies and liberal arts, sciences, and business c... Full story
Forty some years ago, a young man named Eliot Lasky was driving with his friend when he saw a Chabad rabbi dancing on the street with a few other Chassidim. The young man was shocked. He'd never seen anything like this in Buffalo, a city that at the time was known as the "Berkeley of the East" for its university's hippy counterculture vibe. Lasky was no stranger to what he'd just encountered. He'd grown up in Brooklyn in an Orthodox home, but had left that life behind to seek his fortune. Where... Full story
