Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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In honor of Veteran's Day, Orlando Torah Academy students had the privilege of hearing from guest speaker Rabbi Jeff Chaitoff. Rabbi Chaitoff shared his experiences as chaplain in the Army with students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. He brought in photos and relics from his days on active duty, including his uniforms. Students enjoyed asking questions and hearing about what life was like as a soldier. They also loved trying on the uniforms! Thank you, Rabbi Chaitoff, for your service to the...
Bal Harbour, Fla., is best known as a popular destination for snowbirds. With a population ranging from 2,500-8,000, depending on the time of the year, it’s hard to believe that this small oceanside village, 30 minutes north of Miami, is now a national leader in combating anti-Semitism. On Nov. 21 in front of a packed room, the Village Council unanimously passed a measure that adopted the State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism—creating a village code that will permit law enforcement to consider anti-Semitism as a “motivation for cri...
The Boards of Directors of the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida and Congregation of Reform Judaism are thrilled to announce plans for a joint Jewish Heritage Tour to Poland and Germany from June 10-22, 2018. It was during the Holocaust Center's first sponsored tour to Poland and Prague in 2016 that HMREC Executive Director Pam Kancher and Rabbi Steven Engel decided to co-sponsor this trip to Poland and Germany in 2018. "Participants will have the opportunity to explore...
On Nov. 19, Central Florida Christians and Jews shared a unique evening together at the Rosen Plaza. The focal point of this year’s event was to bless the nation of Israel, and to raise funds for three organizations that help Jews still trapped in areas like Crimea and Ukraine make aliyah to Israel. The event, A Night to Bless Israel, was a successful interfaith event to show support for Israel, and raised $151,000 for Ezra International, Return Ministries and Cyrus. “Raising funds to bring 20 persecuted and impoverished Jewish families to Isr...
Students and faculty of Lake Brantley High School are learning about how to stand up to hate in these troubling times. Through the dedication of Brantley's Club L'Chaim co-presidents Alana Halperin and Jordan Greenberg and student members, another informative meeting was held at the school to bring awareness to the reality of hate in the world, and how to combat it. These meetings are part of an on-going series. The first meeting of this kind was held a year ago. Although the students expected...
The Roth Family JCC is gearing up for the 2018 "J-Rassic Park" J Ball Charity Auction that will be held March 14, 6:30 p.m., at the Orlando Science Center. In advance of the auction itself, the JCC is hosting a raffle for ticket-buyers: Anyone who buys their ticket by Dec. 21 will be entered into a raffle for 4 tickets to the Jan. 3 Orlando Magic game against the Houston Rockets. Tickets are currently on sale: General admission is $100; Tickets for parents of JCC preschool students, Jewish...
Elliott Davis, Lee Sisselsky and Judy Kahan Davis rode their bikes from Wekiva to O'Brien Road, where the Heritage office is located, to pick up their paper that did not arrive at their homes on Friday. The Heritage doesn't know why so many people did not get their Heritage newspaper last week. The papers are dropped off at the Orlando post office on Thursday for mail delivery on Friday. Once it leaves Heritage premises on Wednesday for printing, it is out of our control. We don't suggest that...
Central Florida Hillel welcomes Dana Bial as its new board chair. Bial received her bachelor's in Business Administration in Accounting and Computer Science from Kent State University and her master's of Taxation from Florida International University. She is principal and owner of Forefront CPA, PLLC, an Orlando-based accounting and tax consulting firm, that provides a full range of services to business and individuals around the world. Bial has lived in Orlando since 1998 where she and her husb...
Students from Central Florida Hillel attend the AIPAC annual event with Senator Joe Leiberman, who graciously spent time with the students afterwards entertaining their questions and sharing stories. The event brought out over 270 Orlandoan AIPAC supporters....
This week, the Holocaust Center, located in Maitland, launched the first media campaign in the organization's 30-year history to raise awareness of its mission to combat racism, bigotry and bullying. While the Center has run ads in the past, the campaign, Make Hate History, aims to increase the Center's profile and attract new visitors and supporters. It uses provocative messages that highlight recent incidents across the nation, and right in our own backyard, to inspire activism. Ads will run...
Joseph Wittenstein, Z"L, (1914-2008) had a remarkable grasp of the Orlando-area history and an ability to recall details from most of the 20th century that proved invaluable in understanding the city's past. Wittenstein also enriched Central Florida through his wide civic and philanthropic involvement. For these reasons and more, the Orange County Regional History Center is honoring Wittenstein posthumously with the Donald A. Cheny Award on Nov. 30 at the Center. The Donald A. Cheny Award recogn...
The theme for this year's JP Connections should be smiles, because the lyrics "Who can turn the world on with her smile?" (theme song for the "Mary Tyler Moore" TV show) can be applied to JP honoree Shirley Schoenberger; and honoree Dolores Indek's daily goal is to put a smile on people's faces. The annual Jewish Pavilion luncheon recognizes two volunteers who have gone above the call of duty in volunteer work. However, it isn't a "duty" to either of these women but truly their heart's desire...
Holocaust survivors Genia Kutner and Gerald Biegel will share their stores with high school students (and anyone else) at Oviedo High School on Dec. 11. This program was originally scheduled for Sept. 12, but thanks to Hurricane Irma, it was postponed. The program, dedicated to unity, is titled "One Day Starts Today," and is presented by the Jewish Student Union, JOIN Orlando and StandWithUs. JSU is an after-school club, run by teenagers, that strives to build a community where unity is the...
The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah is pleased to announce that author Ellen Brazer will make an exclusive appearance for Orlando Hadassah on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom to present her latest work, “The Wondering Jew: My Journey into Judaism.” “It all began with a promise: a promise I made to my father, a promise that led me on a journey into the heart and soul of Judaism. The result is this book, filled with intensely personal stories that helped me unlock some of the complicated teachings that make Judaism such a di...
On Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah will host a private showing of Holocaust Art by Judith Dazzio at The Holocaust Center in Maitland beginning at 1 p.m. Dazzio will personally present and discuss her paintings followed by an afternoon tea catered by Arthur's Orlando Catering. Judith Dazzio is the owner and lead instructor at Dazzio Art Experience School of Art. She is also the proprietor of Dazzio Art Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida. She received her B. S. degree in...
On Nov. 12, more than 400 people crowded into the second floor of the Orange Country Regional History Center for the long awaited opening of the exhibition Kehillah: A History of Jewish Life in Greater Orlando. This exhibit covers 150 years of local Jewish history, and not only shows how the Jewish community organized but also the many diverse ways Jews have contributed to the growth and enrichment of Central Florida for all of its citizens. The spirit of community was alive and well as people...
Central Florida Hillel brought the largest student delegation in the country with over 28 students to come and celebrate the installation of Orlando's own Bruce Gould as the new president-elect of JNF. Pictured next to Bruce is JNF's president and CEO, Russell Robinson....
Fifty Central Florida teens in grades 8 to 12 gathered Oct. 30 for “Empower the Jew in You,” a Community-wide Teen Education Evening organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando (JFGO). Congregation of Reform Judaism hosted the event. This peer-lead educational program by JFGO’s Jewish Teen Education Network (JTEN) was designed to provide insight and resources for local teens to identify and stand up to anti-Semitism. JTEN educators moderated the discussions with curriculum created by the Federation’s Jewish Community Relatio...
More than 160 men from around Central Florida came together on Nov. 2 for an evening of camaraderie with all that "men stuff," you know-steak, drinks, and a great comedian. The event, co-sponsored by the Men's Clubs and Brotherhoods of Congregation Ohev Shalom, Temple Israel, Congregation Beth Am, Congregation of Reform Judaism and Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, was profitable, netting about $12,000 for local Jewish youth...
What do you get when you combine a healthy dose of appreciation, a gourmet luncheon with friends, and a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping bazaar? The answer is the Jewish Pavilion's "JP Connections," honoring this year's dedicated volunteers, Shirley Schoenberger and Dolores Indek. "Our annual luncheon is a yearly opportunity for us to show our appreciation and to connect with our wonderful volunteers and members who support the Jewish Pavilion in so many ways," noted Pamela Ruben, marketing and...
MAITLAND-In recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center and the Central Florida community, the Holocaust Center is pleased to honor Jeffrey Miller and Ted Maines at their annual Dinner of Tribute on May 10, 2018. Jeffrey Miller and Ted Maines share the Holocaust Center's commitment to creating a more just and inclusive society. They were instrumental in launching the Holocaust Center's UpStanders: Stand Up to Bullying initiative. This...
Do you remember when the original trolleys ran in New York state? On Thursday, Oct. 23, 90-year-old Carl from Brookdale Island Lake reflected back on when the trolley ran through the city of Buffalo, sharing his memories with his new teenager friend, Matthew. Residents, Cyndee and Al, joined the trip down memory lane, recalling a time when the milkman and the doctor came right to their door. Teens from three local Chabad centers (Chabad of North Orlando, Chabad of South Orlando, and Chabad of...
The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando will hold its Annual Golf Classic at the Grand Cypress Golf Club on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. Among this year's sponsors are Fast Signs Orlando Central, Chepenik Financial, Pearson Bitman LLC, Universal Engineering and Halo Building Services. This year's tournament will include a catered lunch as well as special games at the holes like closest to the pin and longest drive. Prizes will be awarded to lowest foursome gross score and lowest foursome net score. The...
The season of giving back is upon us! Donate your nonperishable food items to restock our pantry shelves during the month of November. Monetary donations are also very appreciated, with every $1 donated turning into $6 worth of purchasing power. Last year, JFS Orlando was able to provide food for nearly 65,000 meals to our hungry neighbors and we need your help again! Examples of nonperishable items include cereal, pancake mix, peanut butter, canned protein beans, canned vegetables, spaghetti/pasta sauce, pasta, canned fruit, soup, boxed...
Celebrate Shabbat and Thanksgiving at Our Saturday Morning Service led by Rabbi Karen Allen, at 10 am on Nov. 25th. Socialize with our members at the Kiddush following the service. 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....
