Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 2926 - 2950 of 3682
The evening of Dec. 6, 2014, in the Roth Social Hall at Temple Israel proved to be festive, elegant and memorable as congregants and guests gathered to celebrate the synagogue’s 60th anniversary. The double theme of this diamond celebration honored Temple Israel’s founding members and was in honor of Harry and Rhea Rein’s 60th wedding anniversary. The event was chaired by Michelle Bilsky. Cocktail hour featured Israeli hors d’oeuvres followed by dinner, dancing and a silent auction. The program for the evening featured Arlene van de Rijn wh... Full story
Howard Lefkowitz visited Cuba in 2006 and his journal about the trip (Travels to Cuba in 2006) gave readers a vision of what the Cuban Jewish community was like back then. Now a licensed religious trip supporting Jewish Cuba is being planned, conducted under a general license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control by Congregation of Reform Judaism. “This is the first-ever Cuba mission trip that is open to the entire Jewish community and we are excited to be working with Congregation of Reform Judaism on this project during this historic time... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion will honor two are very special couples-Marty and Emily Glickstein and Susie and Mark Stone-at their annual Gala on Sunday, Feb. 22 at The Westin Lake Mary at 5 p.m. The gala will include a silent auction, a gourmet meal, and the musical sounds of Paul Stenzler and his band. "This year's gala invitation featured four special words: cherish, love, adore, and share. These carefully selected words highlight our commitment to the elder-care community, and are reflective of the... Full story
The students of the Jewish Academy of Orlando, Leaders Preparatory School (Muslim) and the Geneva School (Christian) came together on Jan.13 for the first of three multi-faith programs this year. In the first program, held at the Jewish Academy, the students learned about the upcoming Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year for the Trees. This session was led by Rabbi David Kay of Congregation Ohev Shalom. The students also participated in an art project focusing on the Garden of Eden, led by Jewish Academy Rabbi Sharon Barr... Full story
Blue Star camps owner/director, Seth Herschthal, will be in Orlando tomorrow, Jan. 24,to talk about 68-year-old Blue Star camps, a Jewish summer camp for boys and girls, located in Hendersonville, N.C. Keith and Julie Levitt will host the meeting in their home, 4146 Anissa Ave., Orlando, on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Levitts are long-time supporters of Blue Star camps. Keith was a Blue Star camper many years ago, their son went there for six years, and this summer will be their daughter's sixth year as a Blue Star camper. For... Full story
The Jewish National Fund’s Women for Israel will host a free Tu B’shevat seder at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Roth JCC. The seder is a great way to appreciate Israel’s bounty and includes sampling foods from each of the seven species: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. The evening will also include Israeli music and dancing. Members of the event committee are Dr. Susan Drukman, Brenda Faiber, Terri Fine, Fabienne Kaplan, Dr. Robin Katzman, Debbid Meitin, Charlotte Schwartz and Pam Skipper. RSVP is reque... Full story
On Monday, Jan. 26, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., mention JFS Orlando when purchasing a meal at Italio and 50 percent of the proceeds will benefit JFS. Not only will Italio customers enjoy a good meal, they will be making a donation to help people in need. JFS Orlando provides vital, high-quality and innovative services to people in need so they can overcome challenges and lead fuller, more meaningful lives. Italio is located at 276 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, Fla....
This January, Temple Shir Shalom of Oviedo celebrates a special b’nai mitvah: its own. January marks its 13th birthday, and they are excited to celebrate that special milestone with their congregants and the entire Jewish community. In 2001, six area families had a vision to build a congregation where everyone felt part of a larger family. TSS is a Reform, family-oriented congregation. Its membership is built from people with varied backgrounds—from a traditional Jewish experience with knowledge of Hebrew and ritual to interfaith marriage partn... Full story
On Jan. 18, middle school students (6th-8th graders) from across the community are invited to attend a dance at the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando's Harriett Lake Auditorium. The dance, which will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., will feature a photo station, Junction 88 Productions DJ, emcee, games and snacks. The cost is $10 per person. Dress attire is encouraged. Six local Jewish organizations worked together to promote this event: BBYO Connect, Congregation Beth Am, Congregation of Reform Judaism, Congregation Ohev... Full story
LONGWOOD-Danny Siegel, poet, author and "Mitzvah Maven," will be the Scholar-in-Residence at Congregation Beth Am of Longwood for Shabbat Bo, Jan. 23-25, 2015. Siegel, probably the key Jewish leader associated with popularizing ideas like hands-on personalized tzedakah, recognizing "Mitzvah Heroes," promoting microphilanthropy (doing great good with small amounts of money) and tikkun olam, will share his ideas and inspire young and old. Siegel has authored 29 books on the topics of mitzvah and tzedakah. His recent books include "Who, Me? Yes,... Full story
Temple Torat Emet, formerly Temple Torah of West Boynton Beach, announced that it will provide Central Florida Hillel with the gift of a Torah as a “permanent loan.” The Torah will be officially moving to the new home for CFH at Northview early this year. The gift marks the first time in known history that Jewish students in Central Florida will have their own Torah. “Due to the recent growth of Central Florida Hillel since opening its new building last year, there has been a dramatic increase in interest among students for access to a Torah... Full story
These will be the sounds being heard at the Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando's 11th Annual "Maj Madness" Mah Jongg Tournament to be held Sunday, Jan.25, 2015. The festivities will begin at 9:15 a.m. with registration and coffee, and the games will begin at 10 a.m. The tournament format will include four rounds following the National Mah Jongg League Official Rules of Play. Open to people of all playing levels, Maj Madness is $35 per person ($25 for JCC members) and includes lunch, drinks, door prizes, and awards. Participa... Full story
Parenting is quite possibly the most difficult job in the world, yet it’s one for which most receive little or no preparation. Children do not come with instruction manuals, and the awesome responsibility of raising them to be well-adjusted, moral and productive members of society falls squarely on their parents’ shoulders. In order to help parents navigate the stormy waters of child-rearing, beginning Jan. 18, 2015 the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will present The Art of Parenting, a new six-week winter course which explores parenting pri...
Beginning Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, Congregation of Reform Judaism invites all Jewish ninth through12th graders to participate in a 10-week course titled Facing History & Ourselves: Holocaust and Human Behavior. Taught by director of Education, Sheryl Sacharoff, Ed. D, and Justin Sacharoff, and using resources from the internationally recognized organization Facing History and Ourselves, the class will explore how history is shaped by hatred, indifference, and denial, as well as by caring, compassion, and responsibility. The course will cover the... Full story
The Tri County Chapter of Hadassah (Lake, Marion and Sumter) was founded in 2010 by past-President Sheila Shayne with about 25-30 members, most if not all from The Villages, Florida. Today under the leadership of Sandee Bearison, the Tri County Chapter has grown to 286 members and has a vibrant and enthusiastic group of women. New members are joining continually and the chapter had its election of office bearers for 2015 at the Dec. 18 meeting at Providence Independence of Wildwood. Regional President Susan Lafer presided. The chapter's next... Full story
Congregation Sinai, Minneola, Fla., will present a free educational seminar titled Celebration of Life - Planning your Legacy on Sunday Feb. 8, 2015 from 2- 4:30 p.m. The entire community is invited to attend. This seminar’s goal is to help people make their final/legacy plans by providing information about options. Pre-need sales of memorial plaques at a reduced price, will also be available, good until Mar. 8, 2015. Anyone buying a memorial plaque will ensure that they or a loved one will be remembered with memorial services said for the n... Full story
Rabbi Joshua Neely of Temple Israel will continue his series, "Conversations with the Rabbi," on Sunday, Jan. 25, 4 p.m., at Brown's New York Deli in Maitland. This month's topic is Jewish Criminals-Shame, Ignore or Defend? "Conversations" is a monthly program that gives community members a chance to meet and talk with Rabbi Neely in an intimate group setting. The uniqueness of this program is that it is always held outside of the synagogue, usually at a restaurant or bookstore (this month at Brown's New York Deli). This kind of atmosphere is... Full story
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 Foundation who has supported efforts to enhance the... 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 the services. Temple L'Chayim was founded this... 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 Pathways to Care and SafeHouse of Seminole. After the... 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 with many jelly donuts, cookies and pastries to... 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 "Twisted Icons" over lunch hosted by his parents,... 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 Foundation and the Harper Family Charitable Foundation for... 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
