Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Kinneret Council on Aging, a nonprofit agency that provides ongoing programs and services to residents of Kinneret Apartments, has launched their new, redesigned website, www.KinneretLiving.org. “We are thrilled to launch our new website which has a new look and feel,” said Sharon F. Weil, director of Programming and Development, KCOA. “The website is clean, bright and much more easily navigated,” she continued. The idea to update the site was brought forward at a board meeting when members noticed that as the needs of the Kinneret residen... Full story
The fine arts program continues to grow at Jewish Academy of Orlando. This summer, JAO was one of 10 schools selected to participate in a grant by the highly prestigious Teacher Institute for the Arts program, sponsored by Kol HaOt Art Institute of Jerusalem. This program is run under the auspices of American/Israeli artist David Moss. Teachers were trained to utilize cutting-edge techniques to integrate art and Judaic studies. "Exploring Jewish texts and values through the visual arts is one... Full story
The following synagogues provided information about their High Holiday services to the Heritage by press time. For information about services at other local synagogues, contact the individual congregations. Most synagogues require tickets for admission, and their cost varies from congregation to congregation. Some may open one or more of their holiday services to the community. For tickets or information, contact the individual synagogue. Celebration Jewish Congregation (Reform) Celebration Jewish Congregation members have received an invitatio... Full story
For the fourth straight year, on average, students at Jewish Academy of Orlando performed at least two grade levels ahead of their peers nationwide. Each April, Jewish Academy students take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, a nationally standardized achievement test for K-12 students. The test allows schools to compare students' scores to national norms in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. This year, the upper grades at Jewish Academy outperformed their past... Full story
Congregation Sinai has now moved into their new location with a special grand opening Torah procession, a ceremonial mezuzah placement and a Kabbalat Shabbat service. With over 100 members and guests attending, it was a full house. Congregation Sinai has been serving the Jewish Community of Central Florida since 2003. They have now moved to 1200 West Broad Street in nearby Groveland at the edge of Clermont. Most Sinai members live in the Clermont, Minneola and Groveland areas. At all... Full story
Even before the new school year kicked off this month, local students and educators were hard at work learning, sharing and growing by participating in two programs by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's Jewish Teen Education Network. On Aug. 6, nearly 40 Central Florida teens gathered at Camp Challenge in Sorrento for "New Beginnings," the first-ever Communitywide Teen Education Retreat, a two-day event sponsored and organized by JTEN. After the teens arrived, they participated in... Full story
LONGWOOD-Tracey Kagan, Democrat for State Representative District 29, won her primary election on Tuesday by a 2:1 margin. Kagan, a Ruth's List endorsed candidate, defeated her primary opponent, Darryl Block, with 66.8 percent of the vote in all 34 precincts. She is veteran criminal defense attorney, community activist and a Seminole County mother of three. She will now face Rep. Scott Plakon, the Republican incumbent, in the general election on Nov. 6, 2018. "This win is a pinch-me moment and... Full story
Synagogue Service Schedule The following synagogues provided information about their High Holiday services to the Heritage by press time. For information about services at other local synagogues, contact the individual congregations. Most synagogues require tickets for admission, and their cost varies from congregation to congregation. Some may open one or more of their holiday services to the community. For tickets or information, contact the individual synagogue. Celebration Jewish Congregation (Reform) Celebration Jewish Congregation members... Full story
The Jewish Academy of Orlando began the new school year with advances in student retention and enrollment, as well as improvements in the technology and fine arts programs. Year-over-year enrollment increased 14 percent, and the school achieved a 95 percent retention rate, an improvement from prior years. "We are excited to begin the school year with such positive momentum in recruitment and enrollment," Head of School Alan Rusonik stated. For years, Jewish Academy has been a technology leader... Full story
The Kinneret Council of Aging’s Annual 8 over 80 Honorary Dinner is designed to recognize area residents who have contributed to the betterment of the Central Florida community. Who will be the newest honorees? On Sunday, March 3, 2019, KCOA will pay tribute to eight individuals over the age of 80 who have made significant contributions in the Central Florida area and continue to live lives of remarkable achievement, vitality and civic engagement. This coveted honor is one of the most prestigious awards for older adults in our community. ... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion Board of Directors welcomed a new executive committee and six new members at its August meeting. Former board member Dick Appelbaum reviewed the past year's accomplishments and installed the new executive committee and board. The new president for a two-year term is Faye Novick. Barry Kudlowitz is vice president, Terri Fine is secretary and Toby Vandemark is treasurer. Immediate past president Paul Stenzler remains on the executive committee and board. New board members are... Full story
Recognizing that the school districts of Seminole and Orange counties will be in session during Rosh Hashanah, Congregation Beth Am in Longwood will offer an innovative, alternative worship "experience" on Monday, Sept. 10, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for all students and their families who will not have had the opportunity to attend services on the 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah. This will be followed by a brief Tashlich service that's BYOB (Bring Your Own Bread). According to Greg Alman, vice-president... Full story
JSU is back in full force and is now in seven high schools around Orlando. JSU is a student run Jewish Club at local high schools where teens of all affiliations and backgrounds get to explore Judaism in a fun, accepting, and engaging environment. JSU has hundreds of clubs all over the country, with seven of them right here in Orlando. There will be a JSU kickoff event on Sunday, Sept. 2 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at 9101 International Dr., #1032 in Orlando. The cost is $12 per person. For more information about the clubs or the JSU Kick off... Full story
For those grieving the loss of a loved one there is hope. Once again, JFS Orlando, in coordination with the Jewish Pavilion and in cooperation with The Hospice of the Comforter and VITAS Healthcare, is holding a Grief Support Group on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The group meetings began on Aug. 30 and will continue to meet Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27, and Oct. 4. The meetings take place at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland. For registration or questions, contact JFS clinical therapist supervisor Ashlyn... Full story
On Sunday, Aug. 26, Jewish National Fund and The Roth Family JCC will host a town hall meeting about the Gaza border crisis. JNF is bringing three residents of Gaza border communities to Florida, to share their personal stories of living under attack, with hundreds of incendiary kites, balloons, and rockets steadily raining down on them. While there will not be a live event in Orlando, JNF will be live-streaming the event from Miami at The Roth Family JCC, 851 N. Maitland Ave., from 6:30 p.m. -... Full story
Since 2003, Congregation Sinai has been serving the Jewish Community of Central Florida. After providing very successful community service over the past 15 years, they have now moved to 1200 West Broad Street in nearby Groveland at the edge of Clermont. Congregation Sinai will soon move into their new location with a special grand opening Torah procession, Mezuzah placement and a Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening, Aug. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. The entire community is invited. Congregation Sinai... Full story
As it gears up to celebrate its milestone 18th anniversary at its Gems and Jeans Gala on Oct. 28, The Jewish Pavilion and its Friends of the Pavilion Board are looking back with nostalgia and gratitude on the many dedicated and hardworking volunteers who have given so much of themselves since its earliest days. Two of its longest serving and most devoted volunteers are Elise Schilowitz and Gloria Newberger. Schilowitz has been an active member of Orlando's Jewish community since she moved here... Full story
JFS Orlando is pleased to announce the addition of Dorrit Ram to their JFS family. Dorrit Ram, LCSW earned a masters in social work from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She is a licensed clinical social worker experienced in providing psychotherapy to teenagers and adults with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, dissociative disorders, addiction, autism, and intellectual disability. She specializes in working with people who have experienced childhood trauma. “We are thrilled to have Dorrit join our team. As a t... Full story
The summer is coming to an end and Orlando Hadassah is gearing up for another season of exciting programs and fundraising events. We open the season on Sept. 4 at Congregation Ohev Shalom at 11:30 a.m. with a very special guest. Nationally known mentalist Mark Stone will present "Mentalmania," a program of mind-reading and ESP, mixed with comedy that has amazed audiences all over the world. Stone became interested in ESP while in college where he began learning his skills. He developed a short... Full story
"Leadership" was the word of the day when friends and supporters of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando gathered Aug. 5 for the nonprofit's 2018 Annual Meeting. New leadership for the Federation Board of Directors was approved, 10 newly minted Bornstein Leadership Development Program graduates were introduced, and four of the community's outstanding Jewish leaders were honored with awards during the event on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. The program was emceed by board members Jeann... Full story
The Torah teaches, "You shall not curse a deaf person. You shall not place a stumbling block before a blind person." (Leviticus 19-15) Imagine coming to services, but not being able to participate because you use a wheel chair, and the sanctuary is not accessible? Or if your child or grandchild has some special need that keeps him or her from attending Sunday school, young peoples' services, or from preparing for b'nei mitzvah. In hopes of avoiding situations like this, the Congregation of... Full story
Kinneret I (KI), Kinneret II (KII) and Kinneret Council on Aging (KCOA) recently held its annual meeting and also inducted a new board member. The annual board meeting was held on May 9, 2018 at Kinneret Apartments, 515 South Delaney Avenue, Orlando, Florida. The annual board of directors meeting included the approval of the budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year and board member elections. Nominated and approved to join the KI, KII and KCOA Board of Director's was Joanne Kane, a long-standing... Full story
Sometimes all it takes is some friendly encouragement and a little banter to add spark to a game that may otherwise seem tame. At least, that was Jacob Cohen's experience on a recent Monday when he took over as the "caller" for a game of Lotto at the Savannah Court Assisted Living Community in Maitland. Cohen, 21, and a senior in the bachelor's in nursing program at Florida Gulf Coast University, grew up in Orlando and is spending part of his summer volunteering for The Jewish Pavilion. In addit... Full story
Preparations are in full swing for the new academic year for the four growing Chabad Hebrew Schools in the Greater Orlando area. "Chabad Hebrew School is a warm and loving place," said Jenn Nero, who sends her son to Chabad Hebrew School in North Orlando. "My son doesn't want to miss a day." "The students come in with a smile, leave humming a Jewish song," noted Chanshy Majesky, director of CHS of North Orlando. "We share the warmth and spirit of Judaism in a real and tangible way, and the... Full story
A wonderful time was had by the residents at Brookdale Lake Orienta and the children from Camp J at the third annual get together hosted by the Jewish Pavilion's Inter-Generational program. From quiet one-on-one time, tech talk, puzzles, coloring books, cards, singing and dancing, everyone did it all and loved every minute. -Walter Goldstein, Jewish Pavilion program director... Full story
