Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 2863 - 2887 of 3602
Rabbi Karen Allen of Congregation Beth Sholom in Leesburg will lead a Torah Roundtable on Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Sumter County Administration 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 suggested by the Torah portion that will be read at the Saturday morning service that week. The public is also invited to join the... Full story
Whenever a helper is needed at Shabbat services, Mary Carter Eick (standing), of Griswold Home Heath, is there, ready and available. Eick became involved with the Jewish Pavilion a year ago when she became a sponsor. Since that time she has celebrated many holidays on the Jewish calendar. While she enjoys them all, Eick especially enjoys celebrating Shabbat with her dear friend and Jewish Pavilion volunteer, Helen Tishman (seated). The Jewish Pavilion is grateful to the Griswold Home Health... Full story
Temple L'Chayim, a Reform/Conservative congregation, conducting traditional services in Clermont, Florida, since it was first organized in early 2014, announces the grand opening of their new location within the Clermont City Center as of January 2015. Led by Cantor Isaac Kriger and Rabbi Howard Schwartz, Temple L'Chayim is the only Jewish synagogue with both a rabbi and a cantor in Lake County, Florida. The two clergy provide a very special blend for the spirituality and musical enhancement of... Full story
On Dec. 25, 2014, members of Temple Israel gathered for their second annual mitzvah day. In-house projects were started and finished as well as community projects, and it all ended with dinner prepared by congregant Julia Fineberg. The youth lounge was moved and refurbished. Children made blankets for Project Linus, letters were written to both U.S. soldiers and those serving in the IDF, the children baked brownies and cookies for first responders, and clothes/toiletries were collected for... Full story
On Tuesday evening, Dec. 16, Jewish families from Congregation Sinai and Summit Greens lit candles to celebrate the first night of Chanukah. On hand were Lynn and Joe Goldovitz, spiritual leaders, and the children of the Congregation Sinai Religious School and their families. Also attending were about 150 people from Congregation Sinai and Summit Greens. Music was played, songs were sung, Chanuah gelt was passed out to all the children courtesy of the Shalom Club. The dessert table abounded... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion will host the Pearls of the Pavilion Luncheon at the home of board member Elaine Gamson on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 at 11 a.m. for members who have made a $500 minimum donation to the Jewish Pavilion Membership Appeal (can be paid throughout the year; membership year is September-August). At this luncheon, the Pearls of the Pavilion (POP) will learn about the eye-popping art-work of multi-media conceptual pop artist Stephen Gamson, who will discuss pieces from his new series... Full story
Jewish Pavilion volunteer Kimberly Newton brought three of her children to visit Philip in an assisted living home in the Orlando area. With no family in this country, having Caleb, Lillie, and Zachariah visit was a gift in itself for Philip. They became instant family as they presented him with Chanukah gifts, including a menorah that could safely be "lit" over the course of the holiday. The Jewish Pavilion is very appreciative of the support and funds received from the Hornik Family... Full story
Most recently, I had the privilege of celebrating a Pavilion Chanukah party with the seniors at the Mayflower Retirement Home in Winter Park, where a cadre of volunteers helped Program Director Judy Procell add warmth to the first night's festivities. Sponsors Sally Kopke, Nancy Bland, and the Gaeser family gifted the residents' plates of latkes along with a dose of Chanukah cheer. Volunteers Ellen Hrabovsky and Lisa Rizgony along with her grandchildren visited with the seniors. Volunteer,... Full story
Plans are well underway for The Kinneret Council on Aging's (KCOA) fourth annual 8 over 80 Honorary Dinner that will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2015. The 8 over 80 event recognizes individuals over the age of 80 who continue to contribute to our community through their volunteer and philanthropy efforts. Avie Abramowitz, 81, moved here from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1951 with his family. His father bought orange groves. After a year at Rollins College, Abramowitz returned to Maryland to get a... Full story
Back for it's fifth season, the 92Y Live series promises to be bigger and better than ever with the added partnership of Congregation of Reform Judaism. CRJ approached the Roth JCC and Congregation Ohev Shalom about participating as a partner in their collaborative programming, and both were happy to welcome CRJ. "We feel so good about our collaboration with our neighbor, the Roth JCC, and welcome our new partner CRJ. Together we are truly making this a community program," stated Lisa Schwartz,... Full story
The Jewish Studies Program at the University of Central Florida will offer 10 courses in the upcoming spring semester, which begins Jan. 12, 2015. The courses to be offered are: Elementary Modern Hebrew I & II, Conversational Israeli Hebrew, American Jewish History, Classic Texts of Judaism, The Book of Job, Wanderings: The Jewish People in Dispersion, Modern Jewish Experience, Literature of the Holocaust, and our newest addition to the Judaic Studies curriculum: Building A Nation-The Challenges to and Accomplishments Of The State of Israel.... Full story
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
