Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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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
There is a new synagogue on the block, although it isn’t really a new one. Perhaps the term should be “changed” synagogue. Congregation Shomer Ysrael, located at 5382 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, was for several years a Messianic congregation with about 200 members. It is now, and has been for about two years, a very committed Jewish congregation with about 30 members. In fact, they celebrated their first Rosh Hashanah as Jews in September 2013, and for the congregation it was truly a new beginning. Congregation Shomer Ysrael became the first Hispa... Full story
Faye Novick and Hali Poteshman are having a ball as this year's Choices co-chairwomen. Why is that? Because they're shaking things up with a witty, comedic guest speaker (renowned author Jennifer Weiner), a lively Kentucky Derby-style cocktail hour, entertainment by Two Left Feet, and a convenient central location (Congregation Ohev Shalom). "Wear a hat and be goofy," said Novick. "We are having Southern-style hors d'oeuvres and adding a little spice to a regular cocktail party. And it will... Full story
The Roth Family JCC in Maitland will celebrate Israel's 67th birthday and #OneJewishOrlando on the JCC campus on Thursday, April 23 from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. There will be Kosher food for purchase, items to shop for, live entertainment, Israeli dancing, photo opportunities, free children's activities, and open swim time. Along with all these festivities will be a community choir performance and a concert by Israeli singer Yaniv Shushan. Yom HaZikaron/Israel Memorial Day Two days before the c... Full story
The Holocaust Center invites individuals and families from throughout the community to join in commemorating Yom HaShoah on Sunday, April 19, at 4 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center Gymnasium (next door to the Holocaust Center), 851 N Maitland Avenue, Maitland. The Center hosts the observance each year to remember the lives of the six million Jews who died during the Holocaust, and to honor the survivors, liberators and rescuers who keep those memories alive. This year's speaker will be Yael... Full story
On Sunday, April 12, from 9:30 a.m. until noon in the Roth Social Hall there will be bagels, beverages, newspapers, WiFi and, of course, schmoozing at 50 S. Moss Road in Winter Springs. Temple Israel brought back those delicious bagels just in time for this after-Passover event, which is open to the entire community. Following on the heels of the after-Passover Sunday Schmooze will be the next monthly Simcha Shabbat service at Temple Israel on Friday, April 17, beginning at 7:30 p,m. in the Rein Sanctuary followed by Israeli dancing in the... Full story
"I wanted to do something different this Spring Break," said Daniela Weisz, a 20-year-old UCF junior and marketing major. And that is exactly what she and eight other students did: They traded in lazy days on sandy beaches for volunteer work in the mountains of Clayton, Ga. The Alternative Break Program, coordinated by Volunteer UCF, provides students with various opportunities to help others and impact communities, both locally and internationally. One of the 13 trips offered this Spring Break... Full story
Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Artistic Director John V. Sinclair is pleased to announce two performances of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” on April 25 and 26 at Knowles Memorial Chapel in Winter Park. The performances will be the final program in the Society’s continuing celebration of 80 years of bringing world-class music to Winter Park. With its Old Testament story (earthquake, fire, and the “still small voice”) and its massive choral conception, “Elijah” is Mendelssohn’s take on the English oratorios of Handel. In the more reflective moments... Full story
On Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m., the Zionistas invite the community to attend a presentation titled "Survival and Promise" by Pastor Blake Lorenz. The presentation will be held at Encounter Global Outreach, 62 S. Orange Avenue, #108, Orlando. There is no cost for admission' Pastor Lorenz, a strong supporter of Israel, coordinated a rally at Rollins College in support for Israel during Operation Protective Edge last summer. He can be seen at events supporting AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs... Full story
In remembrance of Yom Ha Shoah, Temple Israel's Adult Education committee will present Orlando's premier showing of the nationally acclaimed movie "A Journey into the Holocaust," on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m., at the synagogue, located at 50 S. Moss Road, Winter Springs. This acclaimed documentary delves into the root cause of why the Holocaust happened. Written, directed and produced by Paul S. Bachow, it has received worldwide recognition. In this documentary, Bachow tries to answer the... 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
This article first appeared on Knightly News and the website is listed knighlynews.ucf.edu Chabad at UCF, a group for Jewish students, organized the Mega Challah Bake in the Pegasus Ballroom in the Student Union. Rabbi Chaim Lipskier, educational director at Chabad at UCF, hosted the event with his wife, Rivkie, program director at Chabad at UCF. Challah is a loaf of white leavened bread, typically plaited in form, traditionally baked to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath. Chaim Lipskier calls the... Full story
Congregation Ohev Shalom Hebrew school will be holding open houses for any prospective students entering pre-k through seventh grade in the fall and their parents. "The best way to see what we do is to see us in action," said Amy Geboff, director of youth and family education. Students are invited to spend a day at school on any of the following Sundays and Wednesdays: April 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29; and May 3, 6, 10. On any of the Sundays, Education committee members will be available to chat wit... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's Choices' 40 ambassadors have been working hard to make this year's event the party of the year. On April 14, Choices will be off and running into its 21st celebration, starting out of the gate with a Kentucky Derby-themed cocktail party, complete with its own signature drink created especially for Choices women, "The Sparkling Mint Jewlep," to sip while mingling with friends or having pictures taken against a green screen with images of racing scenes or... Full story
Eighth graders from Congregation Ohev Shalom attended the annual regional Gesher convention of United Synagogue Youth March 20-22 in Orlando. "Gesher" is a bridge and the convention, which is for eighth graders only from the entire Ha Negev Region, serves as a bridge from the middle school youth group Kadima to the high school group USY. Any Jewish sixth-12th grader is welcome to join COS Kadima or USY regardless of synagogue membership.... Full story
One of the highlights of the Selznick Middle School at the Jewish Academy of Orlando is the eighth-grade trip to Israel. This year, 11 students, accompanied by their teacher, Idit Lotringer, traveled to Israel for a 12-day trip that changed their lives. For most of the students, this was their first trip to Israel and they have come back inspired and transformed. During their time in Israel, the students visited Tel Aviv, Haifa and the north of Israel. Near Haifa, the students visited a school in Orlando’s sister city, Kfar Motzkin, and s... Full story
Central Florida Hillel students (l-r) Tamara Zishuk, Kayla Symonds, Desia Bacon, and Matt Ubl cleaned the headstones at the COS Cemetery as a community service project on Sunday, March 22.... Full story
With the approach of Passover, Orlando's Jewish community is in full pre-holiday-madness mode. So much has to be done-house cleaning, Seder preparation, shopping and more shopping. This year children will play a special role in ushering in the Passover holiday with the Model Matzah Bakery. The traditional matzah bread was round and hand baked, in contrast with the uniform store bought square variety. The eating of the matzah is one of the most fundamental of this holiday, commemorating the... Full story
When the pitch for a campaign involves the phrase "serving the world," most teenagers would have a tendency to shrink away from the job. But for a group of Orlando Jewish teenagers, the magnitude of the job is what attracted them in the first place. J-Serve is a teen-led international day of Jewish youth service taking place in communities all across the world in the spring. From 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, all Jewish teens from sixth – 12th grade are invited to participate and open t... Full story
At this year's Choices event, held on April 14, American writer, TV producer and former journalist Jennifer Weiner will charm the Choices audience with her wit as she discusses her books, personal experiences and women's search for a sense of self. She has authored nine best-selling books, including eight novels and a collection of short stories, with a reported 11 million copies in print in 36 countries. She also was voted No. 14 on Time magazine's list of 140 Best Twitter Feeds. Her latest nov... Full story
Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) for a program featuring a presentation by Mitchell Bloomer of The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida on April 7 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Maitland Public Library, located at 501 South Maitland Ave., Maitland. The program is open to the public and admission is free. Millions of people were killed, and millions more suffered unbelievable horrors and persecution in The Holocaust. To help us learn more about... Full story
The theme of this year's 2015 Choices event is "It Takes A Woman," and this year's recipient of the Harriet Ginsburg Woman of Choice award, Ina Porth, has proven throughout the years that she is a woman who can get things done. Who is a Woman of Choice? The Mishna teaches that it is imperative not to be separate from the community. A Woman of Choice is connected to the Jewish community and is committed to Jewish life. She exhibits leadership qualities and is a committed volunteer with the... Full story
The Holocaust Center has chosen local activists, Susan and Gordon Arkin, as honorees at this year's Dinner of Tribute. For decades, the couple has identified needs and inspired change throughout the community. "Susan and Gordon have done so much to better the lives of all who call Central Florida home. They are wonderful ambassadors of the Holocaust Center and our mission to create an inclusive, caring community where everyone feels welcome and valued, and that is why we're honoring them," said... Full story
A dozen prominent black pastors from across the country stood in support of Israel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he spoke on March 3 to a Joint session of Congress about Iran's nuclear ambitions. "The thing to me that makes no sense is why the Congressional Black Caucus has teamed up with this current administration against Israel," Pastor Dexter D. Sanders of Orlando, Florida, said in an interview with the Washington Times. "And yes, black caucus, I'm saying you have gone... Full story
The Jewish Academy of Orlando is hosting its second annual Spring Fling festival on March 29, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at its Maitland campus. The festival will host food trucks, a video simulator, bounce houses, characters, and more. The centerpiece of the event is a unique marketplace inside the school featuring oils, jewelry, clothing and more. This exciting festival offers attractions for many age groups, from preschool to adults. Games2U will feature their movie simulator, while others... Full story
