Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Festival of Trees,Tu B'Shevat, was celebrated at Brookdale Dr. Phillips-Clare Bridge this week. Jewish Pavilion program pirector for West Orange County, Gloria Green, presented a Tu B'Shevat Seder to the 12 guests who attended. Featured was a seder plate with five different fruits, plus olives, nuts and fig newton pieces. Also, there was a challah representing wheat, and a demonstration plate of peelable fruits, including Clementine oranges, a pomegranate, pear, apple, and lime. After being... Full story
On Friday, Jan. 15, the student's of the Jewish Academy of Orlando, in honor of National Train Your Dog Month, participated in a very special Shabbat. The Elementary School Knesset (student council) sponsored a mitzvah fundraiser. In return for a donation, the students were able to bring in stuffed animals to keep them company in school. Then at Mitzvah Shabbat, Donna Neff with Assist with Daily Living Service Training and Rescue, a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide service dog t... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion (JP) recognizes someone with a flair for giving back to the community every year at its annual fashion show. This year the JP is honoring Friends Board member Marci Gaeser at its "Spring into Fashion" show at Bloomingdales in Orlando on Thursday, Feb. 4. Gaeser hit the ground running when she joined the JP Friend's Board in the fall of 2014. Within months of joining, she had agreed to co-chair two of the Pavilion's most impactful fundraisers, its annual gala and fashion... Full story
As the turmoil in the Middle East continues to increase; as states like Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen fall apart in a bloodshed; as millions of people from the Middle East become refugees in western countries; as a global superpower like Russia takes part in the Syrian civil war and as the role of the U.S. in the Middle East politics is minimal, it is ever more confusing to understand who everyone is and what they want. On Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Dr. Mordechai Kedar (PhD. Bar-Ilan U.), an... Full story
On Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, Congregation Beth Am in Longwood will host a unique interfaith dialogue—The Jewish Jesus in Text and Context—in collaboration with 10 ministers and leaders of diverse faith communities. Starting at 2 p.m. in the Congregation Beth Am Social Hall, 3899 Sand Lake Road, Longwood Rabbi Rick Sherwin will moderate an extensive Question and Answer session responding to a video presentation by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. Dr. Levine is professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter professor of New Test... Full story
Hate crimes targeting Muslim Americans and mosques across the United States tripled in the month after the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif. In light of this sobering development, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando voted to express solidarity with those who repudiate hateful interpretations of Islam. In letters sent to local Islamic leaders this month, the Federation and JCRC stated the following: "We write today to share... Full story
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is hosting its Annual Orlando Event on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at The Alfond Inn, 300 East New England Avenue, Winter Park. The evening will begin with a cocktail and dessert reception at 7 p.m., followed by the main program, titled "Courage & Heroism: Stories from the Middle East," at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature two speakers with incredible stories: Staff Sgt. Robert Bartlett, an Iraq War Veteran, and Mosab Hassan Yousef, a former Shin Bet... Full story
Choices 2016, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's largest women's philanthropy event of the year, is proving to be a hot ticket. Just three days after invitations began arriving in the mailboxes of local women, JFGO had sold more than 100 tickets online for the Feb. 9 event at Congregation Ohev Shalom. Those who responded early were rewarded with a bonus-one free ticket for the Choices Raffle, a $25 value. That promotion ended Jan. 18. "We couldn't be happier with the response so far,"... Full story
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will present The Jewish Course of Why, the institute's new six-session winter 2016 course that will begin during the week of Feb. 8, 2016. Partnering with JLI is the Jewish National Fund of Orlando. Mention JNF when registering and 10 percent of your tuition will be donated to the Jewish National Fund helping build a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people while nourishing your soul with some Torah study. The course will be offered in 4... Full story
The Jewish Academy of Orlando and the JCC were evacuated Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. because of a bomb threat. According to the police, a threatening call was made to the JAO by a man who said he wanted to "hurt as many children as possible." The person at the school who reported the threat told police the man's voice sounded robotic, like he was using a device to disguise his voice. As a result, the entire campus - the school, Early Childhood Learning Center, JCC, gym, and Federation - was... Full story
Cantor Allan Robuck is the honoree for Congregation Ohev Shalom's annual gala to be held Feb. 21, 2016 at the synagogue. Cantor Robuck's life and career have always centered around music. He started his calling as a music teacher at Wiley Junior High School in University Heights, Ohio, near where he grew up. In 1983, Allan, his wife Robin and baby Michael moved to Orlando and later that year he started work as an entertainer in Lake Buena Vista and later for Disney attractions. Then in 1989, as... Full story
Woman of Choice Barbara Chasnov has spent decades in service to the community. "Every now and then I have an idea..." That's a familiar refrain to friends and colleagues of Chasnov, a volunteer, an educator and a champion of numerous causes that have helped to shape the Greater Orlando Jewish community since she arrived in Central Florida in 1982. Known for her Southern charm, her attention to detail and her amiable disposition, Chasnov is living proof that style and substance are not mutually e... Full story
The Jewish National Fund (JNF) will host its first ever Orlando Gala and Backstage Tour at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, to honor Jim Pugh and Chuck Steinmetz with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their dedication to the Orlando community and JNF. Guests will be treated to a an exclusive backstage tour of the newly opened Center as well as a special performance by Davis Gaines, who has performed as the Phantom in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "The... Full story
For the next few months, JFS Orlando will host various health professionals in workshops suited to help people live healthier lives. The first workshop will be the Clean Eating Challenge, on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Do you need to shed a few holiday pounds? Are you facing health issues and need to make a change in your diet? Then take the Clean Eating Challenge presented by Polly Keller, who is an Ayurvedic lifestyle consultant, registered yoga teacher, cardiovascular invasive specialist and registered respiratory therapist.... Full story
Mr. Gill (an alias to protect his family still in Pakistan) was marked for death. His crime? Being an outspoken Christian in his native Pakistan. Miraculously, he escaped to America, learned English and now is not only surviving but thriving while waiting for political asylum so that he can bring his wife and children to Orlando. In a rare public appearance, Mr. Gill will share his personal story at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. He will also share why a fatwa (a death sentence) was issued against... Full story
In response to anti-Semitic vandalism at UCF, 34 Jewish and civil rights groups—including student groups and the Zionist Organization of America, CAMERA and Simon Wiesenthal Center—wrote to UCF President John Hitt stating that what had been done to date “is simply not enough.” The groups stated their dismay that in the weeks since the stickers and flyers appeared, the UCF administration had not publicly condemned the postings as anti-Semitic, and the Jewish students felt threatened and unsafe. The letter went on to make some recommendations to... Full story
The stage is set, the Woman of Choice has been selected and the invitations are in the mail! Choices, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's largest women's philanthropy event of the year, will kick off at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. The theme for Choices 2016 is "Celebrating the Spirit of the Woman," and JFGO has assembled a multifaceted program that is both a celebration of women and a tribute to Jewish heritage. Of course, the star attraction for... Full story
Throughout 2016 the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. During the year they will present special programming that honors both the past and the future of the Center. Included in the plans is a series titled "I Remember: Reflections of Eyewitnesses to the Holocaust" which will feature local Holocaust survivors who will share their stories. These programs will begin on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and will... Full story
Now in its 22nd year, Choices has become known as the premier women's philanthropy event in Central Florida. Each year, Choices organizers make it their goal to "raise the bar" by injecting a fresh dose of creativity while enhancing and refining the production value of the program, all with the goal of providing a meaningful, memorable and enjoyable evening for all who attend. But pulling off a seamless production requires an incredible amount of heavy lifting behind the scenes, much of which... Full story
A youth group from the South Orlando Jewish Congregation (SOJC) ranging in age from 6 to 16 took the time Christmas Day morning to put on a talent show for seniors at Brookdale Senior Living in Ocoee. Contributing in the singing and performing group and solo popular, winter, and Chanukah songs were Rebecca Goldberg, Carly Rayman, Nathan Spear, Rachel Spear, Grant Sikora, Chad Sikora, Gabe Klavans, Rebecca Klavans, Samantha Jacobson, Amanda Jacobson, and Emma Jacobson. Risa Sikora hosted the... Full story
The Tri-County Hadassah in The Villages has been busy this past season. In addition to Zumba dancing to Israeli music, they collected toys for the children in Shepherds Lighthouse Women's Shelter in Bellevue, and recenty elected its new board members. The new president is Sandee Bearison, and elected board members are Pearl Greenberg, Carol Levine, Shelie Goldsmith, Helen Landes, Elaine Grae, Geri Rittberg, Sandy Rib, Bonnie Cooperstein and Natalie Bassen-Soto.... Full story
These two girls, (along with big sister not in photo) had the pleasure of sharing time and Chanukah with their grandparents, Jack and Rose, as well as dozens of other seniors on the first night of Chanukah. The Jewish Pavilion is very appreciative to the Harper Family Foundation for their support of inter-generational programs that enhance the lives of our elders and our youth. Various teen and youth groups remain connected to the seniors serviced by Jewish Pavilion. For more information to... Full story
After 15 years, Ben's Bake Shop closed at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2015. No more challah-at least for now. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, Michael Fischer went to the bakery at 7 a.m. to be sure to get some of Ben's famous challah. When he got there, a line had already formed and by 8 a.m., when the bakery opened, that line was all the way down the block. It took only one and a half hours to sell all 100 loaves. Later that afternoon, the glass shelves in the display case were almost empty. Only two yule logs,... Full story
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in partnership with Congregation Beth Am invites the Central Florida Jewish community to a special briefing on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the synagogue social hall at 3899 Sand Lake Road, Longwood. Presented by Josh Nason, this important update is titled "The Threats to Israel's Security in the Deteriorating Middle East." Josh Nason works as a senior policy analyst in Policy & Government Affairs at AIPAC, where he works with... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion's *Pearls of the Pavilion luncheon will take on a whole new spin when it is held at the Orlando Ballet on Tuesday, Jan.12. The event is generously sponsored by Geanne Share of Orlando who has served on the board of both organizations. Share noted, "My favorite thing to do is to bring people and organizations together. The luncheon is a win-win for both groups. The ladies of the Pavilion will be thoroughly entertained by the ballet. The performance will be followed by a... Full story
