Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3188 - 3212 of 3602
On March 22, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando will be hosting an Israeli Film Night screening “A Bottle in the Gaza Sea” at the Orlando Science Center. I was able to screen the film in advance and found it quite enjoyable to watch. The movie is centered around two young adults, Tai and Naim. Tai is 17 years old, Naim is 20. She’s Israeli. He’s Palestinian. Tai lives in Jerusalem and Naim lives in Gaza. They were born in a land of scorched earth, where fathers bury their children. They must endure an explosive situation that is not of... Full story
An atmosphere of intrigue and adventure await all who attend the Hadassah meeting on Tuesday, April 1 at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom. A trip back in time will take those in attendance into the fascinating world of a family of southern Jews during the Civil War. Certified genealogist and Hadassah life member Gladys Friedman Paulin will bring to life the Levy Family of Charleston, S.C., and their often notorious escapades on the side of the South during the Civil War. Paulin is a past... Full story
On Sunday, April 6, Knights for Israel will host the University of Central Florida's first Declare Your Freedom Israel Festival on campus on Memory Mall. Admission is free, and the festival will begin at noon. DYF is a pro-Israel festival will represent the solidarity between America and Israel, all the while showcasing the common values these two nations share. The event will highlight the pro-Democratic values of Israel and show the beauty of Israel's culture and open society. Knights for... Full story
The Jewish community's own David Bornstein will read from his newly released books, "The Good Word: A Decade of Jewish Thought and Chutzpah" and "Me and E: A Baseball Odyssey," at Congregation Ohev Shalom on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. Bornstein is a cornerstone name in the Central Florida Jewish community. David grew up in a household and among an extended family of well-known leaders and builders of this community. The Jewish Federation's leadership program is named in honor of his father,... Full story
“J Street Challenge” comes to Central Florida following its sold out, world premier screening in South Florida. The film will be shown at Congregation Beth Am, 3899 Sand Lake Road, Longwood, on Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m., and is sponsored by Zionistas. “ Ever since its founding in 2008, J Street, the liberal Jewish advocacy group, has expended a great deal of time and energy trying to convince American Jews that it is a credible and more ethical alternative to traditional pro-Israel organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committe... Full story
The Maitland JCC will be hosting an Israeli Dance Workshop on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, featuring the talented Dany Benshalom, a well-known dance instructor from Israel. Along with his wife Noga, Dany leads one of the longest-running Israeli dance groups in Israel, which meets near Hadera. He will be teaching some of the latest dances, popular in Israeli and around the world. "We are looking forward to this workshop, since our last weekend workshop took place five years ago. Dany... Full story
The Jewish Pavilion threw its largest Purim party to date on Sunday, March 9, at the Westin in Lake Mary where more than 250 supporters attended their annual gala honoring dedicated sponsors and volunteers Valerie Chestnut and Eve Homburger. "Our Purim celebrations are a favorite at our elder facilities, bringing some sparkle to a darker time of year. The costumes, hamentaschen, and playfulness uplift our seniors, while bringing back memories of past celebrations. Our annual gala and Purim... Full story
The topic of anti-terror activities is particularly of interest to the Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish Foundation (TOP), as it launched a unique anti-terror investment policy in close concert with the State of Florida and the work of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) in 2012. Wednesday, March 6, the TOP cosponsored an event with the Jewish Community Relations Council. The evening's speaker was David Ibsen of UANI. A not-for-profit, non-partisan, advocacy group that seeks to prevent Iran from fulf... Full story
Jewish Family Services is continuing its Pantry Restock Challenge through April 30 and now offers a virtual food drive. This approach allows companies and organizations the ability to set up a food drive via the Internet. It’s easy to join individually or as a group. Instead of bringing bags in to the office, or lugging items to JFS, simply go online at www.jfsorlando.org and click on virtual food drive. Customers are then directed to “go shopping” where they can click on the food they want to donate and checkout when they have reached the d... Full story
By When recruiting new volunteers to touch the lives of seniors in our community, reaching out to the synagogues is one avenue I pursue, more specifically the youth. Each program director attempts to contact different synagogues in an effort to reach a wide variety of people who hold different gifts to share with the Jewish elderly. The teens and students of Congregation Ohev Shalom have been involved for years at various senior living communities all over town. Most recently, the USY teens... Full story
Everyone grieves in their own way. Members of the Jewish community have the opportunity to explore bereavement and healing through a Jewish lens thanks to a partnership between The Jewish Pavilion, VITAS Innovative Hospice and Chambrel at Island Lake, an independent and assisted living community in Longwood. All adults are bound to experience the loss of friends and family. A grief support group can lessen the pain. There will be a series of six free workshops with refreshments. The first one... Full story
For the past three weeks my partner Alan Finfer and I have been attending excellently presented, informational classes hosted by the Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Committee. Barbara Weinreich, as a representative of the Federation, introduced the presenter, Dr. Terri Susan Fine, who teaches in the political science department at UCF. The classes were open to the public, informal and often interactive. The three topics were: Class I: Jewish Women in American State Politics. Dr. Fine discussed a project funded by Brandeis University w... Full story
The American Hebrew Academy recently extended invitations to six Jewish Academy of Orlando eighth-graders for admittance into its Honor Society. Now in its fifth year, the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society is an international honor society that acknowledges exceptional students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, leadership and service to their communities. These six academians are Joshua Finkelstein, Jordan Greenberg, Rachael Henig, Sophie Libow, Estrella... Full story
What would happen if more than 600 Jewish college students came together for an enormous gathering? On Feb. 21, Chabad at the University of Central Florida reached this accomplishment when their premier event, "Shabbat 613," took place in the Pegasus Grand Ballroom of the Student Union. Just a year after completing a similar annual affair, "Shabbat 500," Chabad at UCF's Rabbi Chaim Lipskier and his wife, Rivkie Lipskier, wanted to increase their goal of attendees to 613. In this case, each... Full story
"You Are Israel" will welcome the Central Florida community to an afternoon of learning the latest there is to know about Israel today. The event, which will take place on Sunday, March 23, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland, is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, the Jewish Community Center, Hillel, Congregation Ohev Shalom and Zionistas. There is no admission charge. The program includes an address by Consul General... Full story
Weekly ice cream socials are the highlight of the week for residents at Savannah Court In Maitland. They adore the camaraderie provided by Jewish Pavilion staff and volunteers. When Mimi Shader comes and plays the piano, the sing-along is enhanced ten-fold. After filling themselves with rootbeer floats and hamantashen home-made by Susan Livingstone, it is doubtful that anyone eats their dinner.... Full story
Under the leadership of event co-chairs Rhonda Forest and Faye Novick, 35 incredible Super Sunday volunteers gathered at the Maitland campus on Sunday, March 2, and made hundreds of calls to members of the community. The phone-a-thon raised more than $58,000 for the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's Annual Campaign. This year's event raised about $15,000 more than last year. Visitors who came to the Maitland campus on Sunday also enjoyed an agency fair planned by Barbara Abramson to... Full story
Hadassah of Williamsburg is having a general membership meeting on Wednesday, March 26, at 1 p.m. at Montpelier Clubhouse 10500 Mormon Drive in Williamsburg. Sheldon Brook, a popular member of the community, will present a most interesting and enjoyable film, titled “The Jewish Legacy on Broadway.” Refreshments will be served. Members, associates and guests are cordially invited to attend. For more information, please contact Sylvia at 407-370-4812 or Helene at 407-352-0535.... Full story
Jewish Family Services Orlando, the Winter Park-based non-profit, human service agency, will begin accepting food and cash donations for its inaugural Pantry Restock Challenge. The Challenge runs from March 1 - April 30 and is aimed at restocking the Pearlman Food Pantry. The Weiner Winter Park Wealth Group, a longtime JFS Orlando supporter will match 25 cents for every dollar donated, or pound of food donated, up to $5,000. During its first year, JFS Orlando seeks to raise $20,000 or 30,000 meals. “In previous years, JFS Orlando p... Full story
Camp J will celebrate its fifth anniversary on the Jewish Community Center's Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus this summer, and preparations are already underway to make it the biggest and best summer yet. The camp's new director, Eric Lightman, has been working since he arrived to grow the camp program. "We're building on a strong foundation from previous summers," says Lightman, "but we also need to keep up with the latest trends in camping." For this summer, the JCC is building its... Full story
Jenna Gould is in the seventh grade at Markham Woods Middle School and preparing for her upcoming bat mitzvah at Congregation Reform Judaism in late April 2014. Jenna contacted the Jewish Pavilion wanting to offer her compassion for seniors as her bat mitzvah project. She found her niche at Oakmonte Village in Lake Mary by helping to lead the Shabbat service along with Cathy Swerdlow. Jenna has also shared her time on Sundays by calling Bingo and more recently helping a resident use her... Full story
Congregation Beth Israel of Ocala will celebrate Purim on Sunday March 16, at 4:30 p.m. at the Arbor Conference Center (rooms E,F, and G) at On Top of the World. There will be a retelling of the story of Esther in English followed by a potluck supper. In keeping with the frivolous nature of the holiday, a special Purim spiel, titled “Take a giant step,” will be performed. The original skit based on the story of David and Goliath was written by Judi Siegal and features members of the congregation. Those who wish to attend are asked to bring a d... Full story
The Jewish War Veterans of Volusia and Flagler counties will host their next regular meeting at 10 a.m., Sunday, Mar. 9, in the Aberdeen Club House, 55 Allwood Drive, Ormond Beach. Volusia County activist Shannon McLeish will speak about the negative impact on property values caused by the high number of vacant and abandoned properties in Volusia Beach. A New York style breakfast consisting of bagels, nova lox, various cream cheeses, orange juice, herring, sweets, coffee and tea will be served at 9:30 a.m. There is no cost for guests. Jewish... Full story
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Central Florida needs volunteers in your 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 if you would like to find out more information.... Full story
Join the Central Florida community to celebrate Israel with "You Are Israel" on March 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland. Co-sponsoring the event are The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, Congregation Ohev Shalom, Hillel of UCF and Zionistas. On the evening prior, March 22 at 8:30, the Federation will screen the Israeli film "A Bottle in the Gaza Sea" at the Orlando Science Center, 777 E.... Full story
