Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando held its annual meeting on May 19. The National Anthem and Hatikva were sung by the 39ers' Honorable Menschen Choir; a new board of directors was installed and several volunteers were honored. RAISE employee Cameron Rohme spoke to the audience about the positive impact the JCC has had on him this year as part of the collaboration between the JCC and Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's RAISE program, developed and implemented by... Full story
Friendship and fun are the main objectives of the Young Women's Social Group recently formed by the Jewish Pavilion. Not long ago, Nancy Ludin, Jewish Pavilion executive director, and Carol Feuerman, past-president and current board member, sat down to discuss the social challenges faced by young Jewish professionals transitioning to adulthood in Orlando. Both Ludin and Feuerman have adult children in their 20s and/or 30s and have seen that the rapid changes in lifestyle and circumstance during... Full story
A presentation by Pastor Blake Lorenz about “Survival and Promise,” sponsored by the Zionistas on Sunday, May 17, became an informal group discussion about the “Unthinkable.” After introductions were made and Lorenz spoke briefly that the “Unthinkable” is here now, he opened discussion about what can we do to stop it? Before we can stop it, what is the unthinkable? Jew hatred, the open proclamation to destroy Israel, the killing of anyone who does not believe a certain type of Islam. Is the unthinkable the Muslim people? No. It is the movemen... Full story
The Holocaust Center honored local community activists, Susan and Gordon Arkin, at its annual Dinner of Tribute. The event raised more than $330,000 to support the Center's education and bullying prevention programs. The evening included a presentation that illustrated how the Holocaust Center is "Lighting the Way" toward a more inclusive community free of all forms of prejudice and bigotry. It detailed how every word in the organization's name, Holocaust – Memorial – Resource – and Educa... Full story
People of the Book returns for the third year of One Book, One Community, One Summer, a chance to read and discuss a book of general interest to the Jewish community. This year’s book is “The Jew and the Lotus” by Roger Kamenetz, the fascinating story of a diverse group of Jewish leaders invited to meet with the Dalai Lama to discuss how a people can survive and thrive in Diaspora. As in past summers, “People of the Book” will be co-facilitated by Janet Friedman and Rabbi David Kay. In previous years, “People of the Book” explored the... Full story
Guest speaker Jane Edelstein, president of Edelstein Associates, shares “Seven Off-the-Wall Tips for Better Business Meetings” during the Jewish Business Network’s gathering Tuesday, May 19, at Brown’s New York Deli in Maitland. More than 30 Jewish business professionals participated in the event. The next Jewish Business Network get-together is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m. For details, go to www.jfgo.org.... Full story
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2015 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. “For more than 25 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the Central Florida community have been honored with the selection and presentation of this award,” said Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last year’s recipient was Loren London. Former recipients have included Wolf... Full story
Jewish families come together for Mother's Day Shabbat in the Park Our Jewish Orlando's Shalom Families celebrated Mother's Day with a special Shabbat in the Park on Friday, May 8, in Central Park on Park Avenue in Winter Park. Each family in attendance was welcomed with a basket containing all the Shabbat essentials (challah, grape juice and candles). After a picnic dinner, parents socialized and shared dessert while their children made special flowers to present to their moms. The families... Full story
In its final month, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando’s annual campaign is only $41,000 from reaching $1 million. It is a milestone they have not achieved since 2007. “This is an amazing accomplishment that has been made possible by the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our volunteers. To all who have given your financial support and your time during this annual campaign, please accept my sincere gratitude on behalf of Federation,” said JFGO Executive Director Olga Yorish. “If the positive trend we are now experie... Full story
Congregation Beth Sholom invites the public to attend as Rabbi Karen Allen leads a special Shavuot Shabbat service on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people. Customarily, groups stay up late into the night studying the Torah on the night before Shavuot in spiritual preparation for the holiday. It is considered that each person personally receives the Torah. The Shavuot Shabbat service will be held at Congregation Beth Sholom, 315 North 13th Street in Leesburg, with... Full story
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) will host a presentation on how to improve the security of your computer, how to reduce the risk of malware infecting your computer, and similar hazards in the digital age on Tuesday, June 2, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Roth Family JCC, in the Senior Lounge. Learn from a computer professional. Mark Schulman is an author, speaker, software designer, and technology enthusiast. He enjoys learning about the ways technology can make life bet... Full story
The Tampa Orlando Pinellas (TOP) Jewish Foundation executive director, Emilie Socash has accepted the position of executive director of the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties, effective July 1. Socash will continue half-time in her position at the TOP Foundation. "I'm tremendously excited and honored to be stepping into this important leadership role," Socash stated. "As a Pinellas resident, and a long-time Federation professional, I'm committed to fulfilling this role and assisting... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has appointed a new director of Outreach and Engagement. Jennifer Cohen has an extensive history of working with the Jewish community in Central Florida, with an emphasis on programming for children and families. She most recently served as program facilitator for "Arty-Party" at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. Prior to that she was Young Family Program facilitator for Temple Israel and has been a teacher and marketing manager. In her new... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando (JFGO) has begun accepting applications for its $100,000 Community Collaborative Grants program. Community Collaborative Grants from JFGO are available for collaborative programs and services for the 2015-2016 program year. At least two agencies, synagogues, or organizations must work together to develop and submit a proposal and implement a program. The amount of the award will depend on the quality and potential impact of the proposed program and the number of collaborating organizations. Rhonda... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando has welcomed Paul Lefton as the new director of marketing and communication. Lefton brings more than 25 years of experience in journalism, marketing and communication to the Federation. He is a native of Indiana and a graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Since moving to Florida in 1998, Lefton has worked as an editor and manager for publications such as The Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel and The Tampa Tribune, in addition to serving in a... Full story
To help kick off the Memorial Day Weekend, on May 22 Temple L'Chayim of Clermont will be hosting a special Community Memorial Service to honor and memorialize the soldiers, families and victims of the national and international war efforts by all American Veterans. All veterans of foreign wars are invited with their families as well as all city dignitaries, no matter what your belief or religion for this Clermont community to join together in this special Memorial Day / Weekend tribute. It will... Full story
On Sunday, May 17, Temple Israel's adult education committee will present an interesting and informative lecture by Murray Toborowsky on Jews in American History: The European Wave. It will be held in the Roth Social Hall, and the community is cordially invited to attend free of charge. Refreshments will be served from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the lecture will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Toborowsky is an experienced history teacher whose passion is the impact of Jews on American history. He has... Full story
There will not be an eighth-grade class next year at the Jewish Academy of Orlando. However, it is not a permanent situation, and the eighth-grade class will be back the following year. What happened to cause the school to make this decision? According to Alan Rusonik, head of school, there were four students enrolled for eighth grade for the coming year. “While disappointing, we have in the past had grades with just four students and we have navigated through successfully,” he stated. Through no fault of the school, they learned that two of... Full story
Learn seven off-the-wall business tips at next Jewish Business Network meeting Launched just two months ago by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, the Jewish Business Network already is making an impact in the Jewish business community, bringing together Jewish business men and women to help them form important social and business relationships. Now JBN has added another incentive to participate: a monthly guest speaker. Those who attended April's JBN breakfast at Brown's New York Deli in... Full story
More than 120 women gathered at the 7th annual Jewish Pavilion fashion show at Bloomingdales in Orlando on May 6, for a morning of friendship, fashion, food and fun, honoring Friends board member Susan Livingstone. A handful of Pavilion volunteers served as runway models as Jennifer Bentson, Bloomingdale's public relations manager, shared the latest fashion trends. Event co-chairwoman Marlene Adler delivered opening remarks and expressed her gratitude to the many lovely ladies responsible for... Full story
JFS Orlando Executive Director Eric Geboff is pleased to announce the expansion of JFS’ RIDE program, Reliable Independent Drivers for the Elderly, to the Jewish community. The new advancement of the program is funded by a grant from Melvin and Zelda Siskind. The RIDE program offers free, round-trip transportation services to essential shopping trips, in addition to the already existing medical appointments. JFS’ expanded RIDE program is now also available to low income, Jewish seniors, ages 65 and up, who live in the Lake Mary and Sanford are... Full story
The Pavilion Golf Society shot a hole in one for the elder community for the third year in a row with a successful golf outing, honoring founders Sheryl and Julian Meitin. More than 90 golfers were in full swing at Alaqua Country Club on Sunday, May 3, for a morning round of golf to raise funds for the Jewish Pavilion and its seniors help desk. Pavilion Golf Society (PGS) co-chairmen, Ken Davis and Eli Bercovici thanked attendees for "being the ace-in-the-hole for the senior community." Davis... Full story
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2015 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. “For more than 25 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the Central Florida community have been honored with the selection and presentation of this award,” said Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last year’s recipient was Loren London. Former recipients have included Wolf... Full story
The community is invited to join Temple Shir Shalom of Oviedo to say thank you to cantorial leader Beth Schafer for the years of service, guidance, music and friendship that she has brought to this community for the past 20 years. A luncheon, to be catered by Dexters, will be held at the Jewish Academy of Orlando, at 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, on Sunday, May 31, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The cost for the luncheon is $25 per adult, $18 per child ages 12 and under. Seating is... Full story
Many years ago, Gene Starn, former publisher, now editor emeritus of the Heritage Florida Jewish News, and Joe Wittenstein started gathering information for the beginnings of a book about the Jewish history of Orlando. Personal circumstances prevented either of them from going further than the idea, notes, sources and resources. While going through his files and getting rid of “tons of junk,” Starn came across these notes. He doesn’t want to dispose of any of these notes and resources without knowing if any of it would still be useful to someo... Full story
