Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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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
J-Serve is the International Day of Jewish Youth Service. Since 2005, J-Serve has been a part of Youth Service America's Global Youth Service Day weekend. J-Serve provides teens with the opportunity to fulfill the Jewish values of gemilut chasidim, acts of loving kindness, tzedakah, just and charitable giving, and tikkum olam, the responsibility to repair the world. Across the globe, teens join each other to make their community and the world a better place. J-Serve 2017 is in partnership with... Full story
The entire Orlando Jewish Community is getting together for a great evening of fun, unity and soccer. JOIN Orlando is partnering with Orlando City Soccer to create an unforgettable evening of Jewish Unity and fun. On Aug. 28, Orlando City Soccer is playing NYC-FC and JOIN Orlando has secured a large block of prime seating in section P13 to enable the entire community to come and participate. There is also a spacious and fully air-conditioned area that JOIN Orlando has exclusive rights for the entire night—a mere few steps from the reserved s... Full story
Pantry to Plate Chefs’ Challenge, hosted by JFS Orlando, is a unique dining event designed to test the culinary skills of three local celebrity chefs. This year, Francesco Aiello from Francesco’s Ristorante, Mark Baize from Roy’s Restaurant and Julie Casey from Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen will take on the challenge of preparing a delectable recipes with ingredients found in JFS Orlando’s Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry. This annual event will be held Sunday, Sept. 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Winter Park Civic Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd.,... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties would like to give back to the community at large for their help with their charitable causes by presenting America’s premier mentalist Sidney Friedman. The even will be held at Temple Beth-el, 579 North Nova Road, Ormond Beach, at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Called “the mentalist to the stars” by Forbes magazine for his many celebrity clients, Friedman will read minds and perform ESP, telepathy and premonitions. He has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s The View and CBS The Early show. Ple... Full story
Congregation Sinai, located at 303 A North Highway 27 in Minneola, has been very busy this summer. A new progressive service for Rosh Hashanah is planned for the second day. This service is open to the community and will last approximately one hour. It will be followed by brunch and study of the story of Rosh Hashanah. A limited number of tickets are available for the High Holidays. For more information, call the temple hot line, 352-243-5353. A new board has been elected with Peter Sobel as president, Sheila Goldman as vice president, Debbie... Full story
"With her ever-present beaming smile and cheerful enthusiasm, Susan Bierman has been a pivotal force in the dynamic growth of Orlando's Jewish community," wrote Bierman's nominator for the Heritage Human Service Award. That opening sentence in the nomination entry said it all. Bierman is packaged dynamite in a tiny frame. As Mark Cooper, Federation president from 1984-1986, said, "It was incredible to see someone so small in stature be so enormous in achievements!" Her "can do" attitude, mixed... Full story
"There comes a time when you have to make a decision, either to walk away and hope things fix themselves or take an active role in trying to make a positive difference." This is Abby Sanchez' belief and the reason why she is running for a position on the Seminole County School Board District 3-she wants to make a positive difference. Sanchez, who grew up in a Jewish household in Davie, Fla., has been on the "frontline" of the public school system as an elementary school teacher for 26 years.... Full story
Anyone who runs for a county judge position isn't doing it for the money, especially if they are successful as attorneys. This is certainly the case for Eric Dubois, who is an attorney running for Orange County judge. Dubois is a 2015 and 2016 Super Lawyer and holds an AV Preeminent Rating, the highest with Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, which reflects his respect among his peers and the over 200 endorsements from fellow attorneys and community organizations. In addition to practicing... Full story
During a roundtable with community leaders in Orlando on Friday, Hillary Clinton condemned the terrorist attack against the LGBT community that killed 49 Americans and injured dozens more at The Pulse nightclub in June. Clinton reiterated her commitment to addressing gun violence and disrupting global networks that terrorists use to execute these attacks. Pointing to the need to pull together against hate and bigotry, Clinton said, “We have to stand against hate and bigotry. I was really moved by everyone who stood in solidarity with the v... Full story
Congregation Beth Sholom, Lake County's oldest synagogue, will celebrate a Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. Unlike a traditional Shabbat service, the Kabbalat Shabbat features a welcoming of Shabbat with music and song. The service, led by Rabbi Karen Allen's vocals and keyboard along with the music of world-class violinist Zoriy Zinger (formerly of the Russian Symphony Orchestra), is a warm, joyous, and festive Shabbat Service celebrating the Jewish Spirit. Founded in the 1950s,... Full story
The Sisterhood women of Congregation Ohev Shalom had a fabulous evening at the Winey Wench in Altamonte Springs Mall. Chaired by Susan Hochstadt, the event, with more than 20 ladies in attendance, was enjoyed by all, as they drank wine, ate snacks, learned how to paint and kibitzed with friends. Ohev Shalom's Sisterhood has a program every third Thursday of each month.... Full story
There is a new excitement at the Jewish Academy of Orlando. The Head of School, Alan Rusonik, shares, "It's a new year. A new beginning. A new excitement!" "The staff is gearing up for the new year," says Rusonik. The school is consolidating its operations back to its original space in the main building at the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. Rusonik adds, "all of our quality programming will remain the same, including TWO new programs we added last year. We have maintained an exceptional educa... Full story
