Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 2856 - 2880 of 3584
Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) Teens will present its new course, Hollywood Idol, beginning on Jan. 7, 2015. The course will offer Jewish teenagers the tools to make decisions, develop strong ethical opinions, and empower their inner voice to stand up for what they believe. Rabbi Yanky Majesky of Chabad of North Orlando will conduct the six-course sessions at 7 p.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays at the Chamu Jewish Center in Lake Mary. “This course will analyze how the culture of Hollywood subliminally influences our society,” explained Rab... Full story
On Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, the annual holiday get-together was held by the Zionistas at the Garden Gate Spa in New Smyrna Beach, hosted by Karen Sandvick, former owner of the Garden Gate Tearoom in Mount Dora. At this beautiful ocean-front setting, plans for the coming year were discussed. Among activities planned for 2015 is the co-sponsoring of the film "Body and Soul: The State of the Jewish Nation," to be screened on Jan. 29, at Congregation Ohev Shalom. On Sunday, March 15, the Zionistas... Full story
On Friday, Dec. 19, the third day of Chanukah and the last day before the students went on their winter break, over 100 grandparents and special friends joined the students of the Jewish Academy of Orlando for Generation Celebration, an annual event hosted at the school to share their wonderful school with family and friends. The program began with a wonderful catered breakfast, followed by the Jewish Academy of Orlando Chimes Ensemble as well as the WJAO daily newscast. The special guests were... Full story
The youth and teaching staff of Congregation Ohev Shalom held their annual Shabbat retreat Dec. 19 and 20 at the Canterbury Retreat Center in Oviedo, Fla. Shown here are (standing, l-r), Rebecca Geboff, Eric Geboff, Isaac Berger, Judy Shujman, Marla Rosen, Rob Slavkin, Shoshana Vigorito, and Sivan Goldberg; (sitting, l-r), John Goez, Dori Wolgel, Sindi Ackman, Rachel Slavkin, and Michele Davidson Bunce. (Not everyone who attended the retreat is pictured). They also exchanged Chanukah presents... Full story
"Dinner, Daber and Dvar," also known as "DDD," is a new Jewish educational opportunity for all Jewish eighth-12th graders, regardless of synagogue membership. Shown here are Andy Brenner, Robyn Kast and Lily Brenner ordering their meal in Hebrew. "DDD" takes place Monday nights at Ohev Shalom beginning at 5:45 with pizza; 6 p.m. Conversational Hebrew; and 7 p.m. The Amazing History of the Jews, which traces our history from creation to present day. Each week is a different time in history and... Full story
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando’s RAISE program (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees) is accepting online applications until January 7, 2015. New positions open periodically during the year as RAISE employees find jobs in the community at large. Anyone who is interested may apply online at http://orlandojewishfed.org/inclusion-for-adults-with-special-needs or contact 407.645.5933 ext 236.... Full story
The Kibbutz Ohev Enrichment program is open to any Jewish kindergarten to seventh grader regardless of synagogue membership and takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Kibbutzniks focus on taking care of the earth, their bodies, others and Israel. Activities include gardening, healthy cooking, Mitzvah trips, crafts and more. The Kibbutzniks often are spoken to in Hebrew with their circle time called "Ma Chadash?" (what's new?) Snack is included. Transportation from school is available for an... Full story
On Nov. 23, 2014, four Conservative Congregation's Men's Clubs came together to honor an individual from each synagogue for their outstanding leadership in their efforts to provide service to their shul, their Men's Club and their community. There were 259 people who attended the event, which was called the "Man of the Year" and was held at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. The four Conservative synagogues in Central Florida to join in the event were: Congregation Beth Am, Longwood; Temple... Full story
ORLANDO-Jewish National Fund (JNF) is proud to announce the appointment of Debbie Meitin as president of JNF's Board of Directors in Orlando. "Debbie is a strong leader for JNF and for the Jewish community in Orlando," said Laura Abramson, JNF Orlando campaign executive. "She works diligently on behalf of the people and land of Israel. As president, her passion and vision for the campaign year will be an inspiration that will take JNF to the next level." Meitin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and... Full story
On Feb. 8, 2015, Rabbi David Kay will be honored at Congregation Ohev Shalom's annual gala. This year's event, Java and Jazz, will commemorate Rabbi Kay's 10 years of service with not only Congregation Ohev Shalom, but to the Greater Orlando community as well. Rabbi Kay came to Orlando in August 2004, as the first assistant rabbi of Congregation Ohev Shalom. Ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in May 2002, he also received his MA in Jewish education. During rabbinical school,... Full story
On Jan. 9, 2015, Congregation Sinai will celebrate Shabbat with a new concept—Shabbat Unplugged, a folk music Shabbat. On this Shabbat, the congregation will have a short Kabbalah Shabbat service followed by folk music and songs from the 1960s, such as Peter, Paul and Mary; Bob Dylan; and The Mamas and the Papas. “Remember Woodstock?” asked Peter Sobel, a congregant member. “Well, bring your beads and your tie-dyed shirts and you best friends with their beads and join us for lots of fun!” Dinner will be served prior to the service. Cost for... Full story
It was not just another Camporee for Boy Scout Troop 641. One hundred and forty-two Boy Scout Troops from around Central Florida attended the Camporee at Camp LaNoche in Paisley in December. Maitland's own Troop 641 placed third overall in the weekend's competitions. The Scouts took first place in two of the eight physical challenges at the "Toughest Scout Games" at the Central Florida Camporee. Three new scouts joined in the fun and learned a lot from the older scouts in the Troop. Boys ages... Full story
Chanukah celebrations at the Jewish Academy of Orlando began on Tuesday, Dec. 16 with an outstanding Chanukah play presented by the fifth-grade students, who did an excellent job telling the Chanukah story to usher in the holiday celebrations. The teachers and staff truly helped make the students shine Next stop, Broadway! The following day, the students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando had a great day celebrating Chanukah with their annual Maccabiah Games. Inspired by the ancient Maccabees... Full story
CLERMONT-The Jewish Friends Club of Kings Ridge and Temple L'Chayim hosted a Clermont Chanukah party that was open to the entire community on the first night of Chanukah. There was a special Chanukah candle lighting ceremony performed by Cantor Isaac Kriger, and Rabbi Howard Schwartz of Temple L'Chayim. This annual celebration was a terrific opportunity for the community to join together and to learn about Jewish tradition, history, culture and heritage. Almost 150 attendees of all ages,... Full story
While most Jews joined in the celebration of the eight days of Chanukah (which fell between Dec. 16 and Dec. 24 in 2014), the Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers celebrated more than most. Throughout the month of December the Pavilion's four program directors and countless volunteers brought Chanukah festivities and lit the (electric) menorah in more than 50 assisted living and nursing homes in Greater Orlando, bringing Chanukah cheer to hundreds of residents. Each celebration offered a little... Full story
Central Florida Hillel recently hosted an event for Israelis in Orlando, a group that strives to bring Orlando's Israeli population closer together. Through its association with the Foundation of Jewish Culture, Central Florida Hillel was able to invite Israeli actor and director Yiftach Klein, who provided a free Hebrew screening of "The Policeman" followed by a question and answer session.... Full story
On Thursday, Dec. 11, 17 second-grade students from Jewish Academy of Orlando got the lesson of a lifetime, and it was not in the classroom. They were able to visit a Habitat for Humanity Winter Park-Maitland construction site at 832 English Court, Winter Park, 32789, to bring to life the lessons they have been learning at school during their Social Studies unit on economics. At Habitat for Humanity, the students conducted mock inspections of a home under construction, putting mathematical... Full story
With television shows like “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Finding Your Roots,” it is no wonder that genealogy is the second most popular hobby in the U.S. (gardening is No. 1). It is also the second most visited category on the Internet (next only to pornography). In light of this growing interest in family histories, on Jan. 12, 2015, Congregation Ohev Shalom and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) will present a special program featuring David Laskin, author of “The Family,” which is the story of his own ancestors w... Full story
TAMPA—The Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish foundation (“TOP”) has launched a new endowment program that will empower every member of the community to have a long-term impact on Jewish institutions and organizations at home, in Israel and around the world. TOP will facilitate the “Life & Legacy” program under the guidance of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a program that represents a shared commitment by area agencies, synagogues and day schools to work together to collectively secure endowment gifts. The grant-funded program will be offered f... Full story
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center (HMREC) is pleased to announce an upcoming reception with Boris Fishman, author of "A Replacement Life." The New York Times calls Fishman's novel, "bold, ambitious and wickedly smart." The reception with Fishman is free, open to the public, and will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Holocaust Center. Book clubs and individuals interested in reading the novel and attending the event are encouraged to RSVP to B... Full story
Nursing homes can be sad places to visit year-round but visiting at holiday time can be even more upsetting. Imagine that your home has turned red and green, with Christmas lights and Christmas music galore. The yuletide spirit decks the halls, as well as the dining room with baked ham and eggnog featured throughout the month of December. Every year, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, our Jewish elders in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities experience the "glad tidings" of the... Full story
The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando is pleased to announce it will honor Susie and Ed Kleiman, Pearl and Howard Lefkowitz, and their families, at its annual J Ball event on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. "We are thrilled to honor the Kleimans and Lefkowitzes for their incredibly strong commitment to our JCC and community," said David Wayne, executive director. The event, which will begin at 7 p.m., will include entertainment, food stations, an open... Full story
Congregation Beth Israel of Ocala invites the community to a “Lunch and Learn” on Sunday Jan. 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Arbor Conference Center at On Top of the World Retirement Communities in Ocala. The program will feature Rabbi Linda Holtzman who will speak about the history of the Reconstructionist movement, its contributions to Judaism and the implications for the future. Her presentation will be from the vantage point of a rabbi who has spent most of her rabbinic life working in the Reconstructionist movement. Rabbi Holtzman, a Rec... Full story
Chabad of South Orlando is hosting a Chanukah Winter Community Festival on Sunday, Dec. 21, featuring a concert with Lazar Lloyd, Israel’s king of the blues; as well as snow cones, donuts, cotton candy, crafts, necklaces and light-up menorahs. The festival will be held at Chabad of South Orlando’s new location, 7347 W. Sand Lake Road, and admission is free. Starting at 4:30 p.m. there will be snow activities, including snow sledding down real snow; at 5:45 p.m. the Grand Menorah will be lit; at 6:15 p.m. Lazer Lloyd will perform in con... Full story
The sixth-grade Social Studies students at the Jewish Academy of Orlando took a step back in time to learn about ancient civilizations. To better understand the importance mummification played in the Ancient Egyptian civilization, the students mummified a kosher chicken. This multi-day, multi-step activity was a unique experience. The students can't wait to open their sarcophagus (a stone coffin) next school year in science class and see how successful they were. For more information about the... Full story
