Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3138 - 3162 of 3602
Congregation Beth Sholom of Leesburg invites the public to join Rabbi Karen Allen for Friday evening service on May 9 at 7 p.m. This service will include special readings for Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israeli Independence Day. Following the service, there will be coffee and refreshments at the Oneg Shabbat. Guests are encouraged to stay and enjoy the warmth and friendship of “The Synagogue That Feels like Family.” Congregation Beth Sholom is located at 315 North 13th Street in Leesburg, with the entrance on Center Street. For more information, visit... Full story
On April 24, Waldflowers B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) met at the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando for a night of Israeli food, friendship, and fun. Members kicked off the program by writing thank you letters to soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to show our appreciation for everything they do for our homeland. Using the organization Thank Israeli Soldiers, our letters will be distributed among different units in the IDF and all the soldiers will understand how grateful we... Full story
Monday afternoons are a time of celebration, song, and snack at Savannah Court and Cove in Maitland. Residents of all faiths and backgrounds stroll, wheel, or ambulate into the main hall at 3 p.m. on the dot, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Jewish Pavilion volunteers, the force behind their weekly happy hour. On Monday, May 28, Savannah Court residents had an additional reason for celebration. A rabbi affixed a mezuzah to the doorpost with a moving ceremony, designating the facility as a... Full story
Most programs begin with a dream, a wish, a need. The seeds of RAISE-Recognizing Abilities & Inclusion of Special Employees-were planted when Loren London and her husband provided a membership to the Jewish Community Center for her brother where he faithfully worked out in the gym. She noticed that he really enjoyed being there. The people were so kind and friendly to him. He felt at home. Then London thought, "It's such a shame. I'm having a hard time finding employment for my brother.... Full story
This past weekend, several UCF students discovered swastikas carved into a wall of the off-campus private apartment complex where they reside. While the complex houses UCF students, it is not part of the UCF campus. The story was carried by The Jewish Press, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based newspaper. And although it is horrifying to see, the incident is being considered by Orlando police as vandalism and not a hate crime at this point because the actions do not appear to be directed at any specific... Full story
A 2014 Pew Study reports Christians are the most persecuted group in the world. In 2013, a Vatican spokesman reported 100,000 Christians are murdered each year. Churches are regularly burned in Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Iraq. Christian pastors have been jailed and beheaded. Austrian human rights advocate and counter-jihadist Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff will be coming to Orlando to participate in a march against Christian persecution on May 17 at Lake Eola Park. Noting that radical Muslims typically use the canard, “first t... Full story
Ohev Shalom will be hosting a unique event open to the community. Join fellow art lovers for a little wine and browsing at "Art For Art" on Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. This event gives anyone interested the opportunity to donate art they no longer have hanging on the walls of their home or on display that others might want to purchase. Donors will get a receipt for their donations of art, and people coming to the event will have the chance to buy some beautiful things at the silent auction event... Full story
This Sunday, May 4, the Jewish Community Center's Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus will host the fifth annual "Taste of the J" at the southwest campus from 2-5 p.m. The event will feature food samples from local restaurants, a sampling of the JCC's programs, as well as a camp fair. Some of the participating restaurants include Anthony's Pizza, BRAVO! Cucina - Family Italian Restaurant, Chef Paola's Gourmet Homemade Goodies, Doubletree By Hilton Orlando at Seaworld, Pammie's Sammies,... Full story
ORLANDO-Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) on May 6, from 7 p.m. to 9.m., for a program featuring BillionGraves' chief technology officer, Brian Moncur, "BillionGraves and Beyond." The aim of BillionGraves is to collect images and the location of all headstones throughout the world before these valuable historical records disappear, and make them freely available to the world. This is a monumental task and not one that we can do alone. This is especially important... Full story
If a loved one was placed in a senior facility 10 years ago, there were sure to be great parties for Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter, but there would be seen virtually no Jewish presence. No challah on Friday nights, apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah, potato latkes for Chanukah, matzo for Passover etc. Residents were not celebrating Shabbat or any of the Jewish holidays. Since 2001, the Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers have been bringing Jewish culture to all of the senior living... Full story
ORLANDO—Jewish National Fund (JNF)’s Women for Israel (WFI) will host a fun-filled class of entertaining art instruction at The Scarlet Easel on Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m. The evening will combine step-by-step painting instructions with music and wine, and participants will go home with the painting that they created. The cost to attend is $36 per person and will be accepted the night of the event. JNF Orlando intern Rebecca Fischer will share her recent experience on JNF’s Alternative Break, a weeklong trip of community service in Israel for J... Full story
ORLANDO—Jewish National Fund (JNF) will host a series of events in May with goodwill ambassador for Israel and basketball legend Tal Brody. A University of Illinois All American in 1965 and member of the ZBT fraternity, Brody led his U.S. team to a gold medal in the ’65 Maccabiah Games. He then led his 1977 Maccabi team to the European Cup Championship, winning the tournament. In 1979, Brody was awarded the Israel Prize, the country’s highest civilian honor. In Israel, he is a revered national hero, icon, and legend; a superstar akin to Michael... Full story
The Pantry re-stock challenge is in full swing at Jewish Family Services Orlando, and anyone can participate. The goal is for 5,000 pounds of food and $20,000, and they have already collected 4,893 pounds of food and $16,398. The Pantry Re-stock Challenge is sponsored by the Weiner Family and The Weiner Winter Park Wealth Group, who will donate 25 cents for every pound of food brought in and every dollar raised. “The Weiner family has always been out front and center in doing their part to help the community and are a great example of Tikkun Ol... Full story
Orlando—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Central Florida needs volunteers in the Central Florida area who can befriend terminally ill patients, provide relief for weary caregivers, accompany their pet on Paw Pals© visits, visit with veterans, provide art and music therapy, make bereavement calls, sew Memory Bears or garment bags, knit/crochet afghans, make crafts, help repair medical equipment, or help with administrative work. Call 407-691-4541 or e-mail central.floridavolunteers@vitas.com for more information.... Full story
On April 10, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's Jewish Community Relations Council held a hunger awareness event, featuring the film "Take Me Home," by local filmmaker Famor Morales-Botero. The event was chaired by Marty Sherman who leads the Social Action Committee of the Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council. The documentary follows the director into the streets of Central Florida where he meets and gets to know personally some of the people who are homeless. Morales is led... Full story
The Kinneret Council on Aging and its board of directors officially dedicated their kitchen, “Nanny and Papa’s Kitchen,” in honor of Dick and Dottie Appelbaum. The dedication took place in the Delaney Dining Room, located at Kinneret Apartments on Wednesday, April 23. The event was attended by the Kinneret Council on Aging Board of Directors; Olga Korish, executive director of Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando; Emilie Socash, executive director of TOP; Kinneret residents, and friends of the Appelbaums. Neal Blaher, president of Kinneret’s bo... Full story
More than 250 students and community members attended UCF Knights for Israel first Declare Your Freedom Israel Festival on the UCF campus on April 6. It was a pro-Israel festival that celebrated the solidarity between America and Israel and the connection made between the similar values these two nations share. The event highlighted the pro-Democratic values of Israel and the openness of its society through educational speakers and creative musicians, including Shi 360, Nossom Zand, Ari Lesser... Full story
The Jerome J. Bornstein Leadership Class of 2014 met in April at the Rollins Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center for a workshop of Board Governance. The class was led by Emily Furlong, senior program manager at the Philanthropy Center. Leah Silver, one of the participants said about the workshop "I found the session very informative not only in terms of board governance but in overall community and team leadership. Emily's guidance on communication, navigation and influence can be... Full story
MAITLAND-After completing an extensive seven-month search, the Jewish Academy of Orlando has named Alan G. Rusonik as its new head of school, the JAO Board of Directors has announced. Rusonik had been serving as Judaic Studies director at the San Diego Jewish Academy and is a former head of school for Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston, Texas. He will begin his new role July 1, 2014. Rusonik replaces Lynne Shefsky who retired as head of school more than a year ago. Acting in an interim... Full story
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2014 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented in August 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 Nina Oppenheim. Former recipients have... Full story
Machaneh Ohev 2014 invites all Jewish children entering Pre-K through 8th grade in the fall to come to "The Happiest Jewish Place on Earth-Machaneh Ohev Land," June 9-13. The popular, one week, Jewish specialty camp takes place at Congregation Ohev Shalom 613 Concourse Pkwy S., Maitland. The 8th year of camp will take Chanichim (campers) and Madrichim (counselors) into "the wonderful world of Machaneh Ohev where mitzvot come true." Each day participants will have fun exploring different Jewish... Full story
Temple Israel of Daytona Beach will hold a community-wide Yom HaShoah candlelight service on April 27 at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, this will be a day of remembrance of those who perished in the Holocaust. Guest speaker Dr. Bernd Woolschlaeger will share his personal story of life as the son of a decorated Nazi officer who received the Iron Cross from Adolf Hitler. Upon learning of his past, Woolschlaeger disowned his parents and converted to Judaism. Unanswered questions led Woolschlaeger to... Full story
More than 150 members and the community members enjoyed an inspiring and fun time at Cong Sinai Friday night services when spiritual leaders, Joe and Lynn Goldovitz accompanied by two others played their musical instruments and sang Hebrew prayers to contemporary faamiliar tunes. Red and white sweetheart decorations adorned the table as congregants gathered for a traditional pre-service Shabbat meal consisting of chicken soup, salad, roasted chicken and kugel (noodle pudding) prepared by the ladies of the Cong. Sinai. Congregation Sinai in... Full story
"Elaine Gamson is an extraordinary woman who has tirelessly supported the Orlando Jewish community over the past 50 years," said Nancy Ludin, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion. "We are thrilled to honor her at our annual 'Spring into Fashion' show on May 1st for holding the Jewish Pavilion and its mission close to her heart, and generously offering her time to enhance the lives of our seniors." Elaine Gamson (nee Gaeser) is a member of the Pavilion's board of directors, as well as an... Full story
The Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation (SOJC) will honor the lives and memories of victims and survivors of the Holocaust at a Yom Hashoah commemoration open to the public on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at SOJC, 11200 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32836. As part of the commemoration, Holocaust survivor Herman Gluck, 88, will be interviewed. Gluck is one of the 40 survivors featured in the Holocaust Memorial at Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation displayed in the synagogue's lobby... Full story
