Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 2181 - 2205 of 3579
Last Friday, Jewish Academy of Orlando welcomed its families for the first Shabbat of the year. Head of School, Alan Rusonik, led a shehecheyanu to celebrate the school's new year and new beginnings. All 98 students, parents and teachers enjoyed the "dancing Shabbat" in the auditorium at the JCC. "It was one of the best Shabbats EVER!" says Robyn Eichenholz, a fourth grade parent. "Not only was it fun but it was great to see the younger students hug the older students. There is such a nice... Full story
More than 150 friends and supporters of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando (JFGO) attended the nonprofit's Aug. 17 Annual Meeting on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. Themed "A Meeting of the Minds," this year's gathering featured entertainment by "Mentalist to the Stars" Sidney Friedman, who wowed the crowd with some of the mind-boggling feats that have made him a popular draw at Jewish agencies and Federations across the country. Jeannie Leavitt and Yeosh Bendayan, both Federation... Full story
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is holding a community briefing about the upcoming elections and the pro-Israel movement on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m., at Congregation of Reform Judaism. The guest speakers will be Democratic strategist Joe Trippi and Republican strategist Ralph Reed. Trippi has been heralded as the man who “reinvented campaigning.” He has been at the forefront of movement politics for almost 30 years. He began his political career working on Edward M. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1980 and has worked on numer... Full story
By Renee Lempert My great-grandparents and grandfather, Jacob Lass, came to New York from Amdur, Poland, in the late 1800s. Till this summer, I assumed my grandfather was an only child. My family breakthrough and connections with cousins began when I researched my grandfather and found him, his parents and six siblings listed in the 1905 N.Y. Population Census! through Ancestry.com, I was able to reach out to cousins who had created their own Lass Family Trees on Ancestry. Now, one of my five... Full story
On Sunday, Sept. 18, children of all ages will get the unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop, crafting their own Shofars, or ram’s horn, for the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The Shofar is perhaps the oldest wind instrument known to mankind. Consisting of a simple horn taken from a ram or similar animal (such as a kudu) and hollowed of its internal cartilage, the instrument produces a haunting, almost mystical tone. “The Shofar generates an otherworldly sound. It’s very soulful, very stirring, and o... Full story
The Zionistas are pleased to present Alan Kornman as the guest speaker on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. The event will take place at the Eastmonte Civic Center, 830 Magnolia Drive in Altamonte Springs. Kornman is the regional coordinator for the United West, contributing editor of Family Security Matters and has 40+ published articles on various national security topics. He has completed FDLE’s Florida Criminal Justice Exec, Institute Seminar, Understanding Militant Islamist Terrorism, and is a local Orlando small business owner. Join the Z... Full story
Happy Hour entertains seniors Happy Hour volunteers, Corinne Brail and Lois Silverberg, felt right at "Home on the Range" at Maitland's Savannah Court, as they sang "oldies but goodies" from the American songbook, reaching elders with songs of remembrance from their youth in a weekly program sponsored by The Jewish Pavilion. Pavilion Marketing Director, Pamela Ruben, noted, "I was fortunate enough to be in the company of Lois and Corinne, as they entertained a roomful of VERY happy seniors,... Full story
One of the longstanding traditions of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando (JFGO) Annual Meeting is the public recognition of outstanding community volunteers and professionals who have made a significant impact on the Central Florida Jewish Community in the past year. "Each of their stories is unique, yet they share a common mission: helping our Jewish community to thrive," said JFGO Executive Director Olga Yorish. "They are the builders, the visionaries, the leaders and philanthropists... Full story
The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando has named Keith Dvorchik as its new chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1. Dvorchik joins the Maitland-based center after three years as the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. While in Seattle, Dvorchik established and reestablished a portfolio of programs, by setting the direction and raising the funds necessary to make those programs possible. Prior to his tenure in Seattle, Dvorchik served for 15 years... Full story
A Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando Workshop Roadshow Start on a family discovery journey with the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) as it launches “My Jewish Roots—a JGSGO Workshop Roadshow”. Join in for all 10 workshops, coming to locations throughout the Orlando metro area or participate over the Internet. Each participant’s family discovery journey will include directed hands on labs that will lead to extending their family tree—adding newly discovered ancestors and living cousins. The first “My Jewis... Full story
Jack A. Frisch, PhD, retired professor of anthropology at Wayne State University and SUNY Plattsburgh will help the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society mark the 451st anniversary of the founding of the first European city in what would become the United States. Professor Frisch will speak at a special event, Thursday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room of the Old Ponce de Leon Hotel, 74 King Street at Cordova Street on the Flagler College Campus. The evening will be dedicated to understanding Conversos in the New World, focusing on Jews... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion and VITAS Healthcare will offer a Grief Support Group for people who have lost spouses, children, parents or loved ones. This is a six-week program that will meet every Wednesday beginning Oct. 19-Nov. 23, from 10:30 a.m. - noon. The Support Group will be led by Rabbi Maurice Kaprow and held at Oakmonte Village 1021 Royal Gardens Circle Lake Mary, Fl. New time and new location Rabbi Kaprow is a retired U.S. Navy chaplain and now a chaplain at VITAS HealthCare and has led... Full story
The summer is winding down and that means its Hadassah time again. Throughout the 2016-2017 season the Orlando Chapter will offer unique programs comprising a variety of subjects relating to women everywhere. The first meeting of the new season will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom where Rabbi David Kay will bring his musical stylings to the stage with his one-man show. Rabbi Kay is an experienced entertainer, having performed in an original rock band, acoustic duo, and as a solo act prior to pursuing the... Full story
"We at the Jewish Pavilion want to share with you a fact," said Program Director Judy Procell (shown in the picture with a resident). "That fact is that often the photos we take of the residents are the last photos taken of them. It is one of those 'bittersweet' moments and thoughts for us to process." The Shabbat and holiday visits brought to assisted-living residents by the Jewish Pavilion bring smiles to the elders and all the volunteers cheerfully provide food, fun and fe... Full story
When Ruth Sandweiss called the Jewish Pavilion office to offer her time and musical talent, the staff knew the residents of Brookdale Island Lake would be thrilled to have her. Sandweiss is shown here with her longtime friend Claire Mercer, former president of the 39ers senior group at The Roth Family JCC. Sandweiss has been playing piano for the Honorable Menschen choral group for several years. In no time at all she had a large group of seniors singing and clapping along at Shabbat. Come join... Full story
MAITLAND-On average, students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando are performing at least two grade levels ahead of their peers nationwide, according to results released from test scores taken in April 2016. The test was administered to second grade and above. The test scores were taken using the nationally recognized Iowa Test of Basic Skills® (ITBS®)-commonly known as the "Iowa Assessments." The Iowa Assessment is a nationally standardized achievement test for K-12 students, allowing... Full story
It started with a bar mitzvah. A Temple Shir Shalom (TSS) family using Temple Israel's facilities for their son's bar mitzvah commented to fellow members of their congregation how spacious the synagogue was, according the Josh Greenberg, co-president of TSS. The comment was tucked away to be recalled later. The congregation had its beginnings meeting in houses 14 years ago, Greenberg said. Over the years, the synagogue has migrated from place to place. The last abode was The EpiCenter at... Full story
Dr. Moshe Pelli, whose name is almost synonymous with the Interdisciplinary Judaic Studies Program at the University of Central Florida, has stepped down as director of the program. However, he is quick to state that he is not retiring. That is one word never to be in his vocabulary-in English or Hebrew. He will remain the Tess and Abe Wise Endowed Professor of Judaic Studies. After taking some time off to study and do research for a book he was finishing this past spring, he returns this fall... Full story
The newest chapter of HaZamir: the International Jewish High School Choir, HaZamir Orlando, conducted by Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer, will hold an Open House and auditions, no preparation necessary, for teens interested in joining for the 2016-2017 HaZamir season on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center. Parents are welcome to attend the Open House with their teens to speak with the leaders and learn more about HaZamir. HaZamir is a Jewish musical youth movement that provides a unique opportunity for Jewish teens... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center will finish out the month of August with several more programs. Please visit its website for more events, open to the public free of charge thanks to the generosity of people like you. Purple Triangles: A Documentary Film Sunday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 23 at p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about our friends and neighbors whose story is told in our current exhibits, "Faith Under Fire" and "Who Am I?" We are hosting a... Full story
The 2016-17 year for Temple Israel Sisterhood will commence with a membership tea held on Sunday, Aug. 28, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. in a private home. It will be an afternoon of socializing with old and new friends, enjoying "tea time" desserts and, of course, taking advantage of the excellent program to be presented by Penny Polokoff, author of "Conversations With My Daughter," which has been arranged by Michelle Bilsky and Regina Buchanan, co-programming vice presidents. Polokoff, a resident of... Full story
Rabbi Karen Allen of Congregation Beth Sholom in Leesburg will lead a Torah Roundtable discussion on Aug. 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the Sumter County Administration and Library Building (with the golden dome) at 7375 Powell Rd. (near Pinellas Plaza and 466A), Wildwood. The roundtable provides a unique opportunity to talk with the rabbi as she leads an informal and interactive discussion focusing on topics of contemporary Jewish interest. The public is also invited to join us for our Saturday Morning service at 10 a.m. on Aug. 27. A Kiddush with light... Full story
Congregation Sinai has announced free tuition for Religious School for children ages 5-12 who are the children or grandchildren of its members. Registration for children will take place on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. - noon. Parents will only have to pay a supply fee of $75 for the year and this may be paid in three segments. In addition, as an introduction to all that Congregation Sinai has to offer, the Introductory membership dues will be reduced by 20 percent.This is for new members only. A meet... Full story
Congregation of Reform Judaism's Steinmetz Family School of Chai Madrichim (teen school assistants) form a Star of David with their intertwined arms. For the religious school news in the Jewish community, please see the special Back-To-School Section B.... Full story
ORMOND BEACH-The Rabbi Transition Committee has announced the appointment of Rabbi Courtney Berman as the new rabbi of Temple Beth-El, as of July 1, 2016. "I am delighted that Rabbi Berman will be joining us at Temple Beth-El," said Co-President Rodd Gould. "We are committed to fostering a thriving Jewish community and are an inclusive and respectful community for all our congregants. Her leadership and full-time presence on will enable us to continue building the strong and vibrant environment... Full story
