Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Celebrate Tu B’Shevat and Shabbat with the synagogue that feels like family. Rabbi Karen Allen will begin our observance on Friday evening, Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. with a Tu B’Shevat Seder. This is a short seder celebrating the New Year of the Trees. The seder plate involves the fruits of the tree - nuts with shells and fruits with peels. Four shades of wine are also part of the ritual. The Shabbat service will follow at 7 p.m. Enjoy refreshments at the Oneg Shabbat following the service. The Rabbi’s Torah Roundtable Discussion Group with Rabbi Ka...
On Wednesday, Dec. 5, the fourth night of Chanukah, Chabad organized a grand Menorah lighting on the Patio Stage outside the Student Union at the University of Central Florida. We had the great honor to have President Whittaker, and UCF Police Department Chief of Police Carl Metzger. "Chanukah is a festival of light, in this case light represents wisdom, understanding," President Whittaker shared. "It represent seeing ways that each of us can make the world a little bit better by adding...
On Wednesday, Dec. 12, supporters of Jewish Family Services Orlando received via email a letter from the executive director-only it wasn't from Executive Director Eric Geboff, it was from the "interim executive director" Mike McKee, the former president of the JFS Board of Directors,-stating that Eric Geboff formally resigned from his position. No explanation was given for the sudden resignation. McKee immediately accepted the executive director position pro bono, while still running his...
Choices, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's largest annual women's philanthropy event, celebrates its 25th year on Thursday, Jan. 10, at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. The Presenting Sponsor for Choices 2019 is Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. Since 1994, Choices has been a showcase for women's philanthropy in the Central Florida Jewish community. It's a gala event where women gather to celebrate, socialize and inspire, all in support of the Federation....
Jewish Academy of Orlando hosted its annual gala with much fanfare. Attendees, dressed in 1920's attire, enjoyed the Roaring Twenties themed event at The Ballroom at Church Street. The event honored Nina and Dr. Ron Oppenheim with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Oppenheims are pillars of the community and longtime Jewish Academy of Orlando supporters. Nina and Ron's children and friends celebrated the honor and lifetime achievement award. "We would like to thank the Jewish Academy of Orlando...
For Jewish seniors in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, it can be a challenge to keep up the Shabbat traditions of lighting candles and saying the blessings over challah and wine. But with Shabbat Boxes, the Jewish Pavilion is able to give Orlando Jewish seniors the gift of Shabbat. The boxes were the idea of Sarah Gittleson, who leads SPARK, the women's division of JOIN (Jewish Outreach Initiative) Orlando. She was baking challahs and preparing for Shabbat at home one Friday when...
Jewish Academy of Orlando has launched a new academic program to serve the community. The school welcomes students to its new Transitional Kindergarten launching at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. Transitional Kindergarten is a school grade that serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, providing students time to develop fundamental skills needed for success in school in an age and developmentally-appropriate, nurturing setting. "The gift of time is truly one of the...
During the festive Chanukah season, most Jews host or go to at least one party. For the Jewish Pavilion, the season is extra festive (and very busy), with five program directors hosting at least 30 parties at senior living facilities from Poinciana to Sanford. The parties were each a little different, tailored to the residents in each setting, but they shared some essential elements: menorahs were lit or turned on, blessings were made over wine and food, dreidels were spun, chocolate gelt and...
The month of December is always busy with the celebration of Chanukah and preparations for the coming secular new year. The residents of Brookdale Island Lake and friends inaugurated the holiday season by viewing “Hava Nagillah, The Movie,” on Sunday afternoon right before the lighting of the first candle of Chanukah. “The Movie” takes the viewer on a journey from the Ukraine to the United States in search of the origins of the internationally famous time. The movie was well received and man...
Chabad of South Orlando held their Grand Community Festival on the first night of Chanukah, Dec. 2. The event featured kids Chanukah crafts and activities, a bevy of traditional Chanukah food, entertainment by "The Skyriders," rock music and the Grand Menorah Lighting. Chabad of Altamonte Springs lit the third candle on the Menorah at Crane's Roost on Dec. 4 with a program honoring the local firefighters. Chabad of Orlando celebrated the last night of Chanukah, Dec. 9, at Central Park in Winter...
Harris Rosen, the veteran hotelier whose visionary philanthropic efforts have transformed the lives of countless Central Florida residents for decades, recently was honored for Lifetime Achievement in the Orlando Business Journal's inaugural Diversity in Business Awards. During an Oct. 26 event at the Hilton Orlando, the prestigious business publication saluted Rosen as the first recipient of an award for individuals "who have devoted a major portion of their professional lives to enhancing the...
The Kinneret Council on Aging (KCOA), a nonprofit agency that provides ongoing programs and services to residents of Kinneret Apartments, has announced the honorees for their 2019, 8 over 80 Gala to be held on Sunday, March 3, 2019. “This is our community’s premiere event honoring older adults and we are truly inspired by the number of outstanding individuals, who continue to contribute to our community and promote the Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam,” said Lynn Fenster, 8 over 80 chairwoman. “This event celebrates the spirit of older adults,...
Sandra Solomon, formerly of Casselberry, was recently honored at a special meeting of the Casselberry City Hall Board of Commissioners. Solomon served 12 years on the board as a commissioner, filling seat 3, and was retiring after her term limit was completed. Tenacious, passionate, an inspiration, personable, full of vim and vigor, and Casselberry's No. 1 cheerleader were all descriptive words spoken by the board members of Solomon at the ceremony. "What we love about Sandi is that she puts it...
(JNS)—With Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson conceding his re-election bid on Nov. 18 to Republican Gov. Rick Scott, the state will have its first Jewish governor on an interim basis for five days when Scott is sworn into the Senate on Jan. 3, 2019. Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, a Republican who will also become the Sunshine State’s first Cuban-American governor when Scott becomes senator until former Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis, a fellow Republican who defeated Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in a contentious race, is sworn in as...
Join Congregation Ohev Shalom’s Men’s Club for a Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour of the opulent historic homes and estates nestled among swaying palms, towering cypress trees and sub-tropical flowers along the shores of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. After the cruise join the men at Dexter’s for a chef-inspired menu that includes both vegetarian and fish options. The event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 16, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Scenic Boat Tours dock in Winter Park at 312 E. Morse Blvd. The boats will depart promptly at 5 p.m. Three boats are r...
Congregation Sinai helps the community celebrate all Jewish holidays with special events, educational programs and services. Congregation Sinai has been serving the Jewish Community of Central Florida since 2003. Numerous services and annual events will be open and free to the entire community. All of the Congregation Sinai classes are open to the general public. Jewish Youth Education: Sunday School at Congregation Sinai is now open for registration and in session every Sunday throughout the...
Lenore Roland was invited to be a guest speaker at the annual RAISE Meet & Greet, held Sept. 27, when new RAISE employees and their families are welcomed. She is the mother of a former RAISE employee, and a professional writer. At this introductory meeting of the RAISE program, you may be feeling a rush of emotions—optimism, fear, hope, uncertainty, and excitement. That’s not unusual when your dream for the future becomes a powerful possibility, one that can change the direction of your and your family’s life. The RAISE program educates and tra...
It takes very special people to devote themselves to befriending and uplifting seniors in living facilities who might otherwise be forgotten, and Judy Suberman and Susan Bernstein are two of those people. They will be recognized at this year's JP Connections, the Jewish Pavilion's annual luncheon and holiday bazaar for volunteers and members. Suberman grew up in Orlando, and her way of connecting with seniors began at an early age. Her mother's mom, who at a relatively young age had suffered a...
The audience was taken back in time to the days of the pilgrims as Jewish Academy of Orlando kindergarteners performed in the school's annual Thanksgiving show. Each student had a role telling the story of the first Thanksgiving, as pilgrims, Native Americans, fall leaves, or even King James through music, song and dance. The program included dialogue and songs about Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower, and the harvest. "The Thanksgiving program is a wonderful opportunity for our students to...
The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces invites the community to a special performance by the IDF musical ensemble to celebrate Israel's 70th anniversary and 70 years of Heroes and Hope. The ensemble will perform popular and traditional Israeli songs, including special songs for Chanukah. The event co-chairs are Burt and Barbara Chasnov. The event will be held on Dec. 9, at 2:30 p.m., at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Pkwy S., Maitland. There will also be a former IDF combat soldier...
(Israel Hayom via JNS)-If there is one American politician who has made support for Israel a daily agenda item, Florida governor-elect Ron DeSantis is that person. DeSantis, a Republican who for six years served in the U.S. House of Representatives, has his name on a series of legislative initiatives in Congress aimed at protecting and strengthening Israel, the highlight of which was his relentless push to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Even after U.S. President...
Three minutes. That is all the time it took for an Arab terrorist to stab to death Michal Salomon's husband, Elat, his sister Chaya, and father, Yosef. The story of her family's tragedy was covered by many news sources as the Neve Tzuf massacre worldwide in July 2017. Salomon calmly recounted the events at a gathering held at the Roth Family JCC last Wednesday evening. She lived because she rushed her three children upstairs to a bedroom where her twin babies were sleeping. The terrorist, Omar...
Congregation Sinai helps the community celebrate all Jewish holidays with special events and services. Congregation Sinai has been serving the Jewish Community of Central Florida since 2003. Numerous services and annual events will be open and free to the entire community. Special Chanukah services will be held on Sunday night, Dec. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be a Chanukah candle lighting service with a Latke Party that evening. "This event will be free and open to the local Jewish...
Chabad of Altamonte Springs is hosting a grand Chanukah celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Embassy Suites at Cranes Roost Park. There will be hot sizzling latkes, delicious donuts, dreidel giveaways, gelt, children’s crafts and more fun for the whole family. In addition to celebrating Chanukah, Chabad of Altamonte Springs will honor and recognize the community’s heroic fire department as they treat those in attendance with the Great Gelt Drop. It will “rain down” chocolate gelt as firemen drop the candy down from la...
The Congregation Ohev Shalom Men’s Club will host a Chanukah Nosh & Learn presented by friends on Monday evening, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the home of Desi Rotenberg. This is the second in the Men’s Club’s Holiday Nosh & Learn series, following the successful Sukkot gathering. Learn more about the meaning and history of Chanukah and the spiritual and practical significance of kindling the lights each night. The discussion will culminate with what the holiday means to each member today, and how to apply the message to each one’s...
