Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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The Jewish Heritage Festival, taking place April 7, is a phenomena in itself. Who knew it would be so successful from the get-go? What began in 2007 as a suggestion by 80-year-old Murray Steinberg to the Temple Presidents' Council for Volusia and Flagler counties that Volusia County should have a Jewish festival similar to the ones he went to in Richmond, Va., became the largest Jewish heritage and cultural event in the state. The ball to research this project was handed to Jeff Bigman, who...
On Thursday, March 14th, Oakmonte Village in Lake Mary echoed with the warm laughter and camaraderie of the Jewish Pavilion's annual Spring Breakfast. The event, sponsored by the Jewish Pavilion, brought together a diverse array of individuals, including staff, sponsors, and board members, in a celebration of community and connection. One of the highlights of the morning was the opportunity for everyone to introduce themselves and share their unique connection to the Jewish Pavilion. From...
In support of Head & Neck Cancer Awareness month, Jason Mendelsohn has announced the second annual Raise Your Glass event is taking place on Sunday, April 7, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at Mercedes-Benz of Orlando in Maitland, located at 810 N Orlando Ave. Mendelsohn is a survivor of HPV-related tonsil cancer, and his cancer story has been shared in over 100 countries. Most recently, he shared his story as part of a virtual Congressional Briefing to support the Prevent HPV Cancer Act. As well, he served...
Chabad Lubavitch of North Orlando and Decision Tactical invite the entire community to an exclusive screening of “Supernova - The Music Festival Massacre” on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The massacre at the Supernova Festival in the Negev desert marks a historic turning point for Israel: On Oct. 7, 2023, at 6:30 a.m., Hamas terrorists broke through the borders from Gaza into Israel, launching a planned and coordinated attack. Among their targets – a yearly techno music festival with over 3500 young revelers in attendance. Soon the festival groun...
(ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla) - One of Israel's most distinguished statesmen, Ambassador Michael Oren, a diplomat who worked at the highest levels of the Israeli government, was the featured speaker at Jewish National Fund-USA's second annual Stand with Israel Legacy Luncheon in Altamonte Springs on Feb. 12, 2024. The "thank you" event for local partners (donors) who are members of the organization's Legacy Society was attended by over 100 philanthropists. The solidarity portions of the afternoon inc...
Local screenwriter and novelist Katherine MK Mitchell, a former talent agent and story-analyst in the Hollywood film industry, will lead a workshop titled “Screenwriting 101,” at the Maitland Library auditorium on March 23 from 10:30 a.m. – noon. The class will include basic information on screenwriting vs. narrative and the comparisons of writing requirements between the forms; challenging writers’ block; anecdotes; adaptations; specialty writers, infomercials; and suggested educational reading materials. The Maitland Library is located...
Jewish joy is blooming at Temple Israel, and so are the vegetables in the Gan Chesed: Garden of Kindness. Officially installed in October of last year through the generosity of the Magness Family Children's Play Area Fund and the hard work of the garden committee led by Temple Israel member Lauren Brown, the community garden has been growing beautiful winter produce. Some of that produce has even been served at TI Supper Club Shabbat dinners. February's Supper Club included baba ganoush made...
On Feb. 15, the isles of Dillard's Altamonte Mall were transformed into a runway of compassion and style as over 200 attendees gathered for the annual Jewish Pavilion Fashion Show. This glittering event served a dual purpose: to raise funds for the Jewish Pavilion and to pay homage to Lisa Eichenblatt, an esteemed board member, sponsor, realtor specializing in seniors, and community leader. With the support of sponsors from the Jewish Pavilion, attendees were treated to a breakfast buffet....
The Rosen JCC will be hosting an open house for our Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC). Choosing a preschool for your child is the first step in their education. The Open House will be March 6th 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and March 7th 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Your child deserves a high-quality, evidence based early childhood education in a caring and nurturing environment. The program offers an expanded STEAM education focused on lessons based on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Come learn how our award...
What started as an idea in 2023 for a Temple Israel Men’s Club camping weekend turned into a full Shabbaton held Feb. 2-4, 2024, at Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont. The cabins were comfortable and well-stocked two-bedroom houses with screened-in porches overlooking Dixie Lake. The 10 participants enjoyed kosher food and reading Torah against the backdrop of a natural Florida environment. “Many of us have had experience at Jewish summer camp growing up so we decided to re-create the best par...
Last November, circumstance connected the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Orlando and Central Florida Hillel. On Feb. 9, 2024, that connection was solidified in the traditional Jewish manner — over Shabbat dinner. The connection was, in fact, prompted by shared outrage. In November, local U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost, to the surprise and dismay of the local Jewish community, voted against a congressional resolution condemning the rise of antisemitism on college campuses in t...
The attitude about antisemitic groups in Central Florida used to be “if you ignore them, they will go away.” Not anymore. Now people hold to “if you see something, say something.” On Saturday, Feb. 17, a group of neo-Nazi demonstrators stood on the corner of Lee Road and Orlando Avenue waving a Nazi flag and a Confederate Flag, while holding signs that read “Jews love genocide,” “The ADL protects pedophiles” and “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The protesters drew the attention of Sen. Rick Scott,...
Last month, Natalie Sopinsky, spokesperson for Hatzalah Y'osh, Rescuers Without Borders, spoke at The Roth Family JCC as well as at Fellowship Church in Winter Springs. It was clear to all that she really didn't want to be away from Israel. This attitude seems to be that of most Israelis. When there is danger brewing, Israelis run to the source of the danger while so many others run away from it. Sopinsky came on the insistence of the Hatzalah director who said she needed to tell Americans what...
Director-general of the Ethiopia National Project, Roni Akale, will enlighten the Central Florida community about the Ethiopian-Israeli community and its progress in assimilating into Israeli culture. ENP works to ensure the full integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Israeli society, in a unique and special partnership with global supporters, the Goverment of Israel and the Ethiopian-Israeli community itself. At informative meeting, Akale will discuss ENP’s endeavors in Ethiopian-Israelis education, empowerment and impact, and wartime r...
Actor and Oct. 7 hero, Yadin Gellman, will be at several Chabads in Central Florida to share his story, "The 12 Longest Hours of My Life." Gellman grew up in Jerusalem during the second Intifada. The difficult experiences he endured, led him to become a combat soldier in the IDF's elite Sayeret Matkal unit. Gellman fought bravely in many battles and special operations until 2019 when he left the army and pursued a career in acting. On Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas massacre on Simchas Torah,...
February is the month for love and the Rosen JCC has all the activities adults will love this month! Community Mah Jongg The next date to meet to play Mah Jongg will be Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m. To register and learn more dates, visit www.rosenjcc.org/mahjongg. Paint & Sip Party The Rosen JCC is offering a Paint & Sip Party. Sign up for Feb. 24, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. and register www.rosenjcc.org/art. Adult Clay Class The Rosen JCC is now offering an Adult Clay Class on Wednesday’s weekly Feb. 28-April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more and register www...
RAISE employees take a cookie break The RAISE employees aren’t always working and learning. Recently they had a wonderful time at a cookie decorating get together. Over eight families enjoyed working learning proper techniques to create wonderfully decorated cookies. Purple Tulip Artisan Cookies’ co-owner Holly Kluger demonstrated step by step how to make the cookies look professionally decorated. The cookie decorating class gave the RAISE employees and their families an opportunity to pra...
Craig Polejes, Chair of the Shalom Orlando Board of Directors, announced that the Board of Directors of Shalom Orlando has appointed Melissa Youngblood and Rachel Greenspan as the interim co-executive directors. Melissa Youngblood has been an invaluable member of the Shalom Orlando team for the past six years, serving with distinction as the chief education officer of the Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center. In her role, Youngblood has exhibited exceptional leadership, driving forward transformative initiatives and ensuring that...
USY is pleased to announce the third annual Heschel Fellowship cohort. Twenty-one teens from across the United States will be gathering virtually every week for immersive Jewish learning and fellowship through April 3, 2024. The two students from Central Florida are Yael Brener of Orlando and Jaynie Ragas of Sanford. Brenner attends Lake Brantley High School. She is a member of the Temple Israel USY chapter as well as C-Teen, the Chabad youth group. Ragas is a homeschool student. She is a member of the Temple Israel USY chapter and also...
The Congregation of Ohev Shalom Sisterhood is hosting Sisterhood & Sharsheret, an evening to bring awareness to breast and ovarian cancer, on Feb. 15, starting at 6:30 p.m. Guest speakers include Orlando Health specialists Amy Laughlin, MD; Amy Margolin, MS,CGC; Kirbie Whitaker, MS, RD, LDN; and Sara Trosty Walsh, LCSW Florida, program coordinator Sharsheret. The event is free, open to the community and men are welcome to attend. Registration is required. Visit ohevshalom.org/form/Sharsheret to register. Please RSVP by Feb. 12. Sharsheret, a...
The Jewish Chamber held a breakfast event at Pickles NY Deli & More in Longwood on Jan. 25. This exclusive gathering was chaired by Scott Leitner, vice president of Climate First Bank. The breakfast offered a unique opportunity for individuals from various backgrounds to come together, share ideas, and forge connections. Networking events like these play a crucial role in building a strong and supportive community, fostering collaboration and understanding. The next event is an afterhours on...
Join your friends at Temple Israel for TI Supper Club on Friday, Feb. 9, and enjoy a delicious, homemade vegetarian meal featuring produce grown in our very own Gan Chesed: Garden of Kindness! Shabbat services start at 6 p.m., with dinner following in the Roth Social Hall at 7 p.m. This month's meal includes baba ganoush made from Gan Chesed eggplants, minestrone soup, lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread, wine, and dessert. The atmosphere is relaxing, but the pace will pick up when you join a...
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, the Jewish Pavilion hosted a Sponsor's Breakfast at Legacy Pointe in Orlando, marking a morning of community, connection, and culinary delights. The breakfast served as a platform for individuals to come together, share experiences, and strengthen their commitment to supporting the Jewish Pavilion's initiatives. Following the meal, participants were treated to a tour of the Legacy Pointe campus. Nestled in the heart of Orlando, Legacy Pointe is a testament to the commitment...
Rabbi Yanky and Chanshy Majesky, in partnership with the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute through Chabad of North Orlando, are excited to announce a unique opportunity for the community. They will be leading a Solidarity Trip from April 1st to April 7th, 2024. This exclusive seven-day experience aims to foster unity and connection, leaving a lasting impact on participants' hearts, minds, and souls. Rediscover Israel in a new light • Show Solidarity: Stand in solidarity with Israel by visiting sold...
The Jewish Pavilion partnered with The Jewish Academy of Orlando to bring the Theater Department's Variety Show to the residents of Brookdale Lake Orienta. The students showcased their skills in acting, singing, gymnastics, dancing and more. After an afternoon ice cream treat and the show, the residents got to mingle with the stars of the show. Jewish Pavilion sees the importance of intergenerational programming and building new relationships. Both The Jewish Pavilion and The Jewish Academy of...
