Sorted by date Results 3563 - 3587 of 3602
Robert Kaplan, seventh grader and July Crawford, third grader, join together to lead Adon Olam for close to 40 residents at the weekly Shabbat service. Kaplan was recently a bar mitzvah at Congregation Ohev Shalom and chooses to continue his involvement in the community by volunteering with the Jewish Pavilion. He led the service along with the assistance of Crawford who sang a delightful arrangement of familiar songs for all join in. Crawford is shown here serving Passover candies and... Full story
“You could literally feel the warmth and joy in the room” at the first Shabbat service conducted by the Jewish Pavilion at the Mayflower says Judy Procell, program director. “The residents continuously told me how happy they were to be able to celebrate Shabbat in their independent living community among their friends. “Sydney Meyer commented that this was the first time he was able to say kaddish for his wife who recently passed.” “While many residents in independent living belong to a synago... Full story
More than 200 guests attended the recent Kinneret Council on Aging’s 2013 8 over 80 Honorary Dinner at Kinneret Apartments to honor Claire Mercer; Anita Hara; John Lowndes; Bunny Rosen; Gloria Newberger; Madeline Wolly; Irv Shargaa; Charlotte Rotenberg. This event was the largest fundraiser held at Kinneret since the Gala began more than 12 years ago. “This event was so warm and inclusive,” said Faye Novick, Kinneret Council on Aging vice president and event chairwoman. “It was a true communi... Full story
Good food, booze, fancy cars, luxury jets and a little bit of magic were plentiful at the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando’s Second Annual Men’s event, Man Cave. The event, held on March 14, hosted 250 men that raised funds for the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. Guests said they enjoyed themselves at the corporate hangar complex at ELJ Aviation in Sanford, while strolling through luxury automobiles and private jets. There was bourbon tasting, cigar smoking and an open bar. The mag... Full story
Children and adults flocked to the Congregation of Reform Judaism for a morning of Passover treats, music, wine and educational activities at the first A to Z Passover Festival on March 17 in the synagogue’s social hall. Among the most popular features of the communitywide event was the Ask a Rabbi Q&A booth, which was manned by CRJ Rabbi Steven Engel. The booth—built by the rabbi—was fashioned after the psychiatrist booth used by Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip. But instead of costing five... Full story
More than 100 women and girls of different faith traditions gathered at the JCC’s Jack and Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus on March 14 to share in a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Passover. For the Muslim and Christian women and girls in attendance, it was a chance to learn about the traditions of the Passover holiday and the symbolism of the Passover seder. For the Jewish women and girls, it was a reminder of the story of their ancestors’ exodus from Egypt to freedom and hope. The eve... Full story
Beit Hamidrash students, parents and community members gathered March 18 for a Hunger Seder led by Rabbi David Kay. Hunger Seder observed the ancient traditions of Pesach in the context of a stark reality: that too many of our fellow-Americans are still going hungry. This seder’s message provided an important call to action for the Central Florida Jewish community to join in efforts to end hunger in America. The more than 50 participants brought canned goods to be donated to the JFS food p... 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 7, at 10:30 a.m. at SOJC, 11200 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando 32836. As part of the commemoration, Max Waldor, a member of SOJC and Life Boy Scout who has just returned from a school trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau, will share stories he has been collecting and will unveil the tile images he has... Full story
Buckle up your seat belt and climb into our time machine as we celebrate 40 years of Camp J fun, traditions, memories and smiles. While so much has changed here in Maitland over the last four decades, it’s amazing to see how many great camp traditions stay the same. That’s because we go by the old saying, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!” Don’t confuse us though for a traditional day camp stuck in the 1970s. This year we have made significant improvements to our programming as we continue to evolve in order to meet the needs of today’s child... Full story
Debbie Meitin has been leading services, attending holiday programs and visiting seniors in their independent residences, assisted living facilities and nursing homes since the Jewish Pavilion opened its doors as a “Jewish Home on Wheels” in 1998. Since then, Meitin has conducted Shabbat services at Chambrel, Grand Villa, Horizon Bay and Island Lake. She has also led numerous holiday celebrations. The Jewish Pavilion is honoring her, along with Cathy Swerdlow, at the Celebration of Tra... Full story
When Bill Shamis and Mimi Shader performed at Chambrel on March 21, participants of all ages knew the words to “Tumbalalaika,” “Hava Nagila” and “Simintov and Mazel Tov.” Most also knew “My Yiddisha Mama,” “Bamir Bistu Sheyn” and many more. “Many participants talked about their full recall of Yiddish tunes that they had not heard in more than 50 years,” commented Nancy Ludin, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion. The Pavilion offers a monthly Yiddish class, taught by Joan Pohl, a speech... Full story
Seniors respond positively to the use of music in their life. Lively, upbeat music can help the person feel less lonely or isolated, especially when they sing in a group environment. Singing with others is fun! Similarly, calm and soothing music can help to relax the elderly person and ease fear or anxiety. Through music, assisted living residents with various health conditions are able to live more fully. They are not defined by their conditions or their need for medicines and skilled medical... Full story
The board of directors of Central Florida Hillel has chosen Aaron Weil, a seasoned Jewish community professional, as its new executive director and chief executive officer, effective June 10. This decision coincides with the construction of an ultra-modern 20,000-square-foot Hillel facility, scheduled to open in August at the University of Central Florida. With more than 6,000 Jewish undergraduate students, UCF has the second largest Jewish student population of any public university in the... Full story
Professor Yudit Greenberg, Cornell endowed professor of religion and director of the Jewish Studies Program at Rollins College, is presenting a lecture by Dr. Steven Gimbel, a philosopher of science and a distinguished professor. The topic of the lecture is “Einstein’s Jewish Science,” based on Gimbel’s recent book “Einstein’s Jewish Science: Physics at the Intersection of Politics and Religion.” The lecture will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 28 at the SunTrust Auditorium in the Crummer Build... Full story
Greg Dawson was the featured presenter at an educational forum on Feb. 21 at the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center in Maitland. His subject was his recently published book, “Judgment Before Nuremberg,” which adds to Holocaust literature by filling a hole in the historical record of World War II: Nazi occupation and terrible crimes committed in Ukraine in the early years of the War. During his visit to a museum in a small town in eastern Ukraine, Dawson saw photos from the era of Nazi occupation in 1941-1943. He was in the tow... Full story
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2013 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,” says Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last year’s recipient was Dr. Zena Sulkes. The Heritage is accep... Full story
MIAMI—Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus life is hosting its Inaugural Florida Texas Hold ’Em Tournament, a fundraising event, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 29 at The Dezer Collection, 2000 N.E. 146th St., North Miami. For the last eight years, Hillel has hosted an annual Texas Hold ’Em Tournament in New York City each spring. Due to its success, Hillel is expanding this year to an additional event in Florida, hosted jointly by Hillel’s Schusterman International Center (which serves as Hillel’s headquarters) and six Hillels that serve col...
The Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando’s Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center hosted a lively women’s seder March 7 for its entire faculty, as a means of continuing their collective Jewish learning journey. The effort, led by the JCC’s Judaic specialist, Kerry Ben-Evi, reinforced the teachers’ knowledge of Passover and its customs for use in the classroom.... Full story
Smiling faces, happy chatter, lively music, sparkling mimosas and delicious food! Old friends and new friends mingled, nibbled, chatted and enjoyed the ambience. It was a delightful way to spend a brisk, almost-spring morning and support the Jewish Pavilion, the Central Florida organization that supports the spirit of belonging and the Jewish identity of the Central Florida seniors. Nancy Ludin, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion, provided opening remarks and introductions to the attendee... Full story
Kinneret residents were treated to a Purim play and celebration thanks to the Kinneret Council on Aging’s programming committee, headed by board volunteer and vice president of programming, Geanne Share. Board members Rhonda Pearlman, Mark Silverberg and Mollie Savage joined KCOA executive administrator Leslie Collin for a play that shared the story of Purim in an interactive and interesting way. Residents were then treated to hamentashen and punch. “Our board is committed to providing Jew... Full story
ST. PETERSBURG—The Florida Holocaust Museum announced the program for its 21st annual To Life event. This year’s theme is The Power of Stories. To Life, held in benefit for the museum, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. April 17 at the Mahaffey Theater. The main program will feature renowned film and theater critic Jeffrey Lyons interviewing three-time Tony award winner, Sheldon Harnick. Best known as the acclaimed lyricist for “Fiddler on the Roof,” Harnick also holds the distinguished Pulitzer Prize for “Fiorello!” WFLA-TV news anchor Gayl... Full story
By Richard Ries If you walk into Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s office and see a wood carved alligator, you might naturally assume it was made in Florida. However, you’d be guilty of not examining all the evidence. It is in fact one of his favorite souvenirs from a very different state: the State of Israel. With Obama having announced a Middle East trip to include Israel, his first visit as president, I grew curious about Dyer’s own ties to Israel. Sure enough, the mayor of the City Beautiful visit... Full story
Celebration Jewish Center CJC’s second night Passover seder dinner service will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Celebration’s Heritage Hall under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Dr. Richard Cowin. Cowin has selected a Haggadah that will allow for a comprehensive—yet expeditious—seder service. Kosher-style cuisine will be prepared by TooJays Catering of Orlando. The seder dinner buffet menu contains traditional Passover favorites for adults and children—gefilte fish/chopped liver, matzah ball soup, 1/4 roasted chicken, carrot tz... Full story
One of the unsolved mysteries of the Holocaust is “what happened to Raoul Wallenberg?” The Swedish diplomat, credited with saving up to 100,000 Jewish lives, was detained by Soviet authorities in 1945 and subsequently disappeared. As intriguing as his death may seem, the choices he made on behalf of others raises even more questions. What would cause a young man to risk everything—his reputation, his safety, and ultimately his life—in order to rescue strangers? Why would he, but not other diplom... Full story
Congregation Ohev Shalom Hebrew school welcomes prospective students and parents to “try us” because we think you will “like us.” On Sunday, April 7 children may come and spend the day in the classroom and parents can schmooze with Education Committee members to see what Ohev Shalom’s Hebrew school is all about. Words can’t describe what takes place at a day of Hebrew school. Children learn in an environment where they are engaged in their learning, teachers work to develop a relationshi... Full story