Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3404 - 3428 of 3579
Effective Sept. 27 Congregation Beth Israel of Ocala is moving its meeting place from the Collins Center to its new home at the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 7171 Highway 200 in Ocala. Services will be held in the main building of the church in the choir room, which is to the left of the main lobby. The facility is handicapped accessible with plenty of close parking. The church is located southwest of I-75 at exit 350. The first service in the new facility—a special Shabbat-Simchat Torah service led by the c...
“That’s a bunch of baloney” was the expected response to the theories proposed by the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society when they were published in Journal of Spanish, Portuguese and Italian Crypto Jews. “Instead, we received accolades from across the country. Even some Israeli academics are interested in our work!” said Rabbi Merrill Shapiro, Society president. The Journal is a publication of the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies in collaboration with Florida International University. Its editor, FIU Professor of Sociology Dr. Abraham L...
The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando hosted an Israel seminar presented by Chaim Shacham, consulate general of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, leaders of local Jewish organizations, political staffers and members of Israel advocacy committees were invited for a full day of briefings on legislative issues related to Israel and the Middle East. The seminar began with welcoming remarks from Michael Soll, board president of JFGO and Shacham. Immediately after, David...
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando presented its annual meeting at the Maitland campus. The festive event was themed as a ‘Night at the Movies’ and delivered big results at the box office. Community members entered to a red carpet and celebratory fanfare. The stage was set, the lights were lit and soon the emcees called ‘Action!’. The room was filled with agency executives and community members eager to learn more about the Federation’s vision for the next year. The...
The Jewish National Fund (JNF) will honor two generations of the Israel family at its annual Tree of Life™ Award Dinner. Sy and Debra Israel, and Mark and Caryn Israel will receive the Guardian of Israel Award. “The Israel family is a true testament of two generations that embrace the genuine meaning of tzedakah (charity) and making the world a better place,” said Jim Riola, JNF Orlando board president. “The Israel family’s commitment to JNF and to Israel over the past few decades is truly admir...
In honor of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Shmuli Gutnick of Boca Raton, Fla., brought his collection of honeybees to Chabad of North Orlando. Seventy-five children and parents enjoyed the one-of-a-kind, pre-Rosh Hashanah program where they said the correct blessing over the food in their goodie bags, followed by the blowing of the shofar by Rabbi Yanky Majesky. Chanshy Majesky, director of the Chabad Hebrew School, led the children in a musical game, which helped familiarize them with different aspects...
In synagogues across the nation, a shofar (ram’s horn) is blown during the Jewish New Year. The Jewish Pavilion is an outreach organization that ensures that Jewish seniors in 54 long-term care facilities in Orlando get to experience the Jewish holidays and hear the shofar. The shofar is the quintessential symbol of Rosh Hashanah that calls for the awakening of the slumbering soul. Hearing the shofar reminds our elders of their precious heritage....
Sunday, Sept. 8 will be the start of a great year for the monthly musicals at Horizon Bay on Boston Avenue as the Jewish Pavilion presents well-known and respected pianist David Witte. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this exciting afternoon. Witte will perform at 1 p.m. and ice cream sundaes will be served to all. The Jewish Pavilion is always looking for volunteers and great talent. Please call 407-678-9363 if you are interested in helping make a difference and having a great time....
Hadassah of Williamsburg is having a “Welcome Back Meeting” on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. at Lakeridge Clubhouse in Williamsburg. Members, associates and friends are cordially invited to attend. Delicious refreshments will be served. Please come and enjoy a pleasant afternoon with old friends and meet new ones. For further information, please call Helene at 407 352-0535 or Eleanore at 407 351-9189....
This summer, thousands of Jewish teens, ages 13-16, from all over the world shared in the fun of competing and the pride of being part of a world-famous Olympic-style event filled with Jewish content and values. Fourteen teens from Orlando traveled to Austin, Texas with delegation head, Robby Etzkin, to compete in basketball, soccer, and baseball. The 16U Basketball Team, which competed in the top bracket tournament under coaches Whitney Tossie and Jesse Lerner, included players, Evan Altman,...
The following synagogues provided information about their High Holiday services to the Heritage by press time. For information about services at other local synagogues, contact the individual congregations. Most synagogues require tickets for admission, and their cost varies from congregation to congregation. Some may open one or more of their holiday services to the community. For tickets or information, contact the individual synagogue. Candlelighting At least two candles should be lit, representing the dual commandments to remember and to...
Congregation Ohev Shalom is proud to announce this year’s Simchat Torah honorees. They will be honored during our Simchat Torah services on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 beginning at 9:30 a.m. A Kiddush luncheon sponsored by the Barry & Vivian Woods Funds and The Congregation will follow the service. This year’s Kalat Torah, called to the Torah for the last reading of the book of Deuteronomy, is Irwin Feldman. The award is presented annually for long-term service and participation in the community’s an...
Free bagel breakfast and live entertainment will be enjoyed at the Fall Festival and Walk at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 at Crane’s Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. The festivities will include activities for children such as face-painting, bounce house, clowns, a health fair, vendors, a walk and more. Proceeds benefit the Jewish Pavilion. The Pavilion ensures that our elders in long-term care are visited and enjoy holiday celebrations, intergenerational activities and ice cream socials. P...
Jewish Family Services Orlando (JFS Orlando), a nonprofit, human service agency, has joined forces with Orlando area synagogues and Jewish agencies for the communitywide High Holidays 2013 food drive to combat hunger in Central Florida. Local synagogues, agencies and their members will collect nonperishable food items during the High Holidays season in support of JFS Orlando’s 2013 High Holiday food drive. With the support of Winn-Dixie, JFS is supplying each synagogue and Jewish agency with paper grocery bags available for their members to t...
Nineteen teens gathered Aug. 18 at the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando to kick off the school year with a paint war. Club Tayarim, a new JCC program, is open to 6th-8th-grade students throughout the community for social, Judaic and community service programs. “Club Tayarim is the Orlando Jewish community’s middle school program. It’s open to everyone and the participants actually choose their own activities and outings. Our goal is to strengthen Orlando’s Jewish, middle school...
The opening meeting of the Orlando chapter of Hadassah was held Aug. 27 at Congregation Ohev Shalom, and it was a tribute to Bunny Rosen for her lifetime of service to Hadassah. “Bunny Rosen is the heart of the Orlando chapter,” said Emily Rotenberg, chapter president. “We, the members, pay tribute to her today, for all she does to keep the organization running smoothly.” Rosen oversees every aspect of the monthly meetings, awards brunch, the donor luncheon and Youth Aliyah Fashion Show. S...
While most people believe that Rosh Hashanah begins on Sept. 4, it has already started for the Jewish Pavilion, which is responsible for visiting our elders in 54 facilities in greater Orlando. Emily Newman, a program director for the Jewish Pavilion, kicked off the festivities at a Shabbat/ New Year’s dinner where apples and honey were served, and residents received Jewish calendars compliments of Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel....
It’s been a long time coming. Ever since Amira’s Kosher Deli & Restaurant closed several years ago, there has been a void in the Central Florida Jewish community when it comes to kosher restaurants. But that void has been filled with the grand opening—complete with red-ribbon cutting and Maitland city council representation—of Brown’s New York Deli, in the Village Plaza Shopping Center, on the corner of SR17/92 and Lake Avenue. A tin-etched ceiling and round, hanging deco lights with the New Yor...
Arabian Nights, a tourist attraction in southwest Orlando, now offers a kosher menu that is supervised by RCF Rabbi Yosef Konikov of Chabad of South Orlando. “It is definitely a new market for us, so we are up and coming with introducing it to the Jewish community,” said Lauren Gazneli, special events coordinator for Arabian Nights. Gazneli handles all special events, such as birthdays and wedding celebrations. Their venue seats up to 1,200 and there is a private Sky Box that seats up to 75 guests. The new kosher menu includes entrees such as...
The Holocaust Center has announced the opening of its newest exhibit, In Remembrance: 75 Years After Kristallnacht. The public is invited to the opening reception and a presentation by art judge Sarah Canright on Sunday, Sept. 15 beginning at 2 p.m., at the Holocaust Center. Eighteen artists, many of them local, have been invited to share their interpretation of that theme as part of a juried art contest. Works that have been accepted will be on display, accompanied by panels that trace the history of the rise of the Nazis and the lessons...
Congregation Beth Shalom will celebrate its move to a new synagogue with an open house at 2 p.m., Aug. 25 at 1308 E. Normandy Blvd., Suite D, Deltona. The celebration will include carrying the Torahs into the sanctuary, affixing the mezuzah on the doorpost and dedicating the sanctuary. Families and the general community are invited to meet the rabbi and members of the congregation. “We offer a comfortable, nonjudgmental, family atmosphere in which Jewish people of many backgrounds can worship together and share a love for their mutual h...
Temple Israel and the Zionistas of Orlando present guest speaker Wallace S. Bruschweiler, Sr., who will speak on Israel’s Counter Terrorism Program—the right approach and solutions, on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 2—4 p.m. Bruschweiler, a quadri-linguist and subject matter expert on counter terrorism and national security issues, will explore various approaches used by Israel, the U.S., and Russia in combating terrorist activity around the world. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Sandi Solomon at 407-5...
The following synagogues provided information about their High Holiday services to the Heritage by press time. For information about services at other local synagogues, contact the individual congregations. Most synagogues require tickets for admission, and their cost varies from congregation to congregation. Some may open one or more of their holiday services to the community. For tickets or information, contact the individual synagogue. Candlelighting At least two candles should be lit, representing the dual commandments to remember and to...
This month, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is recognizing outstanding leaders who have made an impact in Jewish Orlando this past year. Three awards will be given out in recognition of individuals who devote their time to make the Jewish community a better place. Two awards recognize young and senior leaders. This year’s Byron B. Selber Young Leadership Award will be given to Jeremy Udell and the Jerome J. Bornstein Senior Leadership Award will be awarded to Ina Porth. Eli B...
