Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The 14th annual Maj Madness tournament is coming Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at The Roth Family JCC, and features four rounds of play following National Maj Jongg League rules of play, with great prizes for the winners. A light breakfast, morning coffee and lunch is included in the tournament entry free. Participants who are able are encouraged to bring a Mah Jongg set and/or table cover. Register in person at the Registrar’s desk or online by Jan. 21, 2018, at 12 p.m. All registrations received a... Full story
All majestic princesses ages 4 and up, with their daddies, are invited to the 10th annual Princess Ball, a magical evening fit for royalty, on Jan. 20, 2018 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Held at The Roth Family JCC, there will be dancing, activities, and dessert. Dress is “royal attire.” RSVP by Jan. 18. RSVP’s after this date are subject to availability and a $10 late fee. For more information, contact Amanda Dennis, 407-621-4049. The cost is $36 per couple; $5 for each additional guest.... Full story
Rabbi Merrill Shapiro returns to the Congregation Beth Am bima to lead Shabbat services on Friday night, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday morning, 9:30 a.m., January 12-13. The community is invited to attend this special weekend. Rabbi Shapiro, CBA's spiritual leader from 1986 to 2001, currently chairs the national board of trustees of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. For more information, please contact the CBA office at 407-862-3505 or shalom@congbetham.org.... Full story
JSU Fellowship is an innovative program in Central Florida where 12 teens get together Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8, and discuss the Jewish perspective on a variety of ethical and moral dilemmas. Teens will also have the opportunity to meet communal leaders and experts in a number of fields. Teens do not need to be in a JSU club to apply. JSU Fellowship is open to all Central Florida teens. Teens selected to be a JSU Fellow will receive a $15 stipend for each session they attend. For more information, contact Daniel Nabatian at 516-426-8484... Full story
On Jan. 15, teens from Central and South Florida are invited to travel to Daytona to build a youth surf center for underprivileged teens. No building experience is needed. For more information about this challenging event, and to reserve a spot, contact Daniel Nabatian at 516-426-8484 or dnabatian@JoinOrlando.org.... Full story
Please join the Jewish Pavilion on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. at Sheraton Orlando North (Maitland) for their 'Gems and Jeans Gala,' as they honor community 'gems,' Marian Bromberg and A.J. Kronenberg, for providing exemplary volunteer assistance to Orlando's elder-care community. Slip on your favorite pair of 'dressy' jeans, and the Pavilion will provide the sparkle, with an evening featuring gourmet dining, live music, and a silent auction, along with dazzling 'surprise' entertainment. All... Full story
BBYO North Florida Region is honored to welcome and host BBYO’s International Convention 2018. Over President’s Day weekend (Feb. 15–19, 2018), more than 5,000 of the Jewish community’s top teen leaders, educators, professionals, and philanthropists from around the world will come together in Orlando for one of the largest Jewish communal events of the year. Delegates will hear from and meet inspiring speakers, deepen leadership skills, serve the local community, celebrate Shabbat, learn, have access to exclusive music performances, and do... Full story
JOIN Orlando and SPARK, the women’s division of JOIN, are hosting an evening with delicious appetizers, a variety of drinks and a discussion about “Mission Possible - Discovering Your Life’s Purpose” by Rabbi Ahron Hoch on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, from 7:30—9 p.m. Rabbi Ahron Hoch helped found Aish Toronto in 1981, one of the first outreach centers in North America. He went on to become educational director of Aish Toronto, a position he held for 15 years. During that time the branch expanded and built three separate communities with over 8,00... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has announced that applications for 2018 Ronald Colman Israel Scholarships will be available online starting Monday, Jan. 8. The Ronald Colman Israel Scholarship Fund was made possible by a generous endowment established by the Colman family to encourage Jewish teens in the Greater Orlando area to participate in educational experiences in Israel. The Federation administers the program and awards the scholarships each spring. The program is open to all Jewish teens in grades 9 to 12 who are permanent... Full story
Join Congregation Ohev Shalom’s Men’s Club and Sisterhood for a fun night of bowling. Bowl the Night Away will be held on Jan. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at AMF Bowling Lanes in Altamonte Springs. The cost is $18 for two hours of bowling, and includes shoes and pizza. Please RSVP to Michael Asher at michaeldasher3@gmail.com AMF Bowling Lanes is located at 280 Douglas Ave. Please make your check payable to COS Men’s Club. Mail by Jan. 10 to: COS Men’s Club & Sisterhood—Bowl the Night Away, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland, FL 32751.... Full story
Local elder home facilities and the Independent Living communities welcomed The Jewish Pavilion to come and celebrate with the residents during Chanukah. Many family members of the residents also came to share in the festivities with their loved ones. The Jewish Pavilion's staff worked to organize and coordinate with the staff at the facilities and together were very successful in hosting numerous "Chanukah Parties" in the Greater Central Florida area! There was plenty of food, fun and... Full story
It only takes one person to strive to make a difference. Sami Kuperberg is such a person. She had endured anti-Semitism since her freshman year at Oviedo High School. Students would tease her because she is Jewish. One student wouldn't let her raise her hand in class to answer questions and grabbed her arm and drew a swastika on it. She was even punched and kicked just because she is Jewish. Kuperberg heard of a program called Jewish Student Union, and reached out to Rabbi Gabi Gittleson of... Full story
Smiles and bear hugs were in abundance on a recent Sunday afternoon as the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando held its third annual PJ Library Family Mitzvah Day at Build-A-Bear in Altamonte Springs. More than 70 moms, dads, babies, kids and grandparents took part in this increasingly popular Federation holiday tradition, creating nearly 40 stuffed animals and cards to donate to the young patients at Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando. Federation volunteers, along with PJ Library Coordinat... Full story
Kostya Kimlat and his niece Kira Murga are entertained by "Fatz," one of the animatronic characters created by Aaron Fechter, founder of Creative Engineering. Kehillah: A History of the Jews of Orlando continues at the Orange County Regional History Center through Feb. 20, 2018. For information about hours of operation and cost, please call 407-836-8500. The History Center is located at 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando.... Full story
Jewish Pavilion Program Director Walter Goldstein performed familiar holiday and classic tunes at Brookdale Island Lake. Volunteers Terri Fine-Stenzler and Debbie Meitin led blessings, songs, and told the Chanukah story to a room filled with friends and neighbors. Vitas Health Care and Cornerstone Hospice provided cookies and calendar gifts for the residents in senior living communities. These photos are from Brookdale Island Lake in Longwood.... Full story
The Rosen JCC celebrated the 100th birthday of Ethel Siegel, a dedicated and active member of the Jewish community center. A ceremony honoring Ethel was held on Dec. 21 at the Rosen JCC. Ethel is a senior member of the Chai Steppers social group that meets at the Rosen JCC. Originally born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1917, Ethel married Matthew Siegel in 1941 and is the mother of two children. The family resided for many years in Roslyn, N.Y. on Long Island before retiring to Florida. Ethel is an... Full story
Congregation Beth Chaim is back, but actually, it never really left. The small Reform congregation, which was located on 434 in Winter Springs, was struggling a few months ago. Funds were tight and its location was in a remote area. Rumors abounded that the congregation had closed its doors for good. It had closed its doors-that is, the doors of the building in Winter Springs. Right after the High Holidays the group of faithful congregants opened a new door in Oviedo, thanks to its cantorial sol... Full story
On Tuesday, Dec. 5, fifth-grade Jewish students from the Jewish Academy of Orlando got together with Muslim students from Leadership Preparatory School and Christian students from Geneva School for a morning of learning and sharing. The Multi-Faith Education Program began 14 years ago when its founder, Louise Franklin Sheehy, worked to foster a climate of peace among the children of the different Abrahamic faiths. This was the first meeting between the three schools that will take place this... Full story
Jewish Academy of Orlando announced it will be honoring Nathalie and Dr. Jordan Steinberg and giving a lifetime achievement award to Dr. Edward Zissman at the school's annual gala, Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. Nathalie and Jordan moved from Montreal, Canada 10 years ago, with their three children. They wanted to build a meaningful Jewish life and provide their children with the best Jewish education possible. Jordan has been on the Board of Directors of the school... Full story
Chanukah is almost here and it shows at the Altamonte Mall. The Chanukah menorah is located on the second level near the food court. Shown here are Rabbi Mendy Bronstein of Chabad of Altamonte Springs with two little friends.... Full story
A Boy Scout doesn't just become an Eagle Scout. He has to earn the rank through a series of requirements, including: earn 21 merit badges-13 of which are required; perform a service project that he plans, develops and oversees; and successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review. Fewer than 5 percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle rank. Tyler Gaeser, the son of Marci and Jeff Gaeser, has been in scouting since first grade when he became a Cub Scout. He advanced to Boy Scout Troop 617, Oviedo... Full story
Join the Orlando Torah Academy for a special Chanukah evening at the Rosen JCC, Thursday, Dec. 14, at 5 pm. Be amazed by a spectacular LED performance while enjoying a complimentary dairy Chanukah dinner. There will be fun activities for all ages, and prize giveways raffled off for attendees! Purchase raffle tickets as well for a chance to win a trip for two to Israel! For more information, please contact office@orlandotorah.com Admission is free. The Rosen JCC is located at 11184 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando.... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
