Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

If you see something, say something?

Gimme a break!  I just saw someone waving a Confederate Flag outside of the White House. It was on television, no less! Why didn’t anyone protest that vile act?

As a Jew, I realize that the same misguided people who revere the Confederate Flag probably dislike Jews as well as African Americans... which leads me to wonder... if someone waved a flag with a swastika emblem on it outside of the White House, would anyone protest?

I had to get that off my chest.

(Something else I have to get off my chest... and out of my head... MILEY CYRUS!)

Well deserved...

This comes directly from the World Jewish Congress Digest:

“German Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL was awarded the Lord Jacobits Prize for European Jewry.

An award statement by the Conference of European Rabbis recognized Merkel for her staunch efforts in standing by and speaking up for Jews.

The Chancellor accepted the recently awarded prize at Brussels’ Great Synagogue, reiterating her support for Israel and the need for peace and security in the Middle East.

Merkel outspokenly denounces anti-Semitism and vigorously worked for German Jewish communities to have the rights of circumcision, which was nearly revoked in 2010.

Dancing with the stars...

Well... not exactly! But JOHN MCDANIEL and SYLVIA SEMEL sure do look like stars (see photo) and especially when they dance.

Sylvia told me she loves to dance because it is great for “health and pleasure.” She also said she loves to dance with John... more for pleasure than health, I’m sure. (He’s nice looking.)

I started out as a dancer myself. I was a “gypsy” on Broadway. (“Gypsy” is the nickname for chorus dancers.) I was very young then, just a few years ago. (Oh shut-up!)

Actually, many doctors agree that dancing (like swimming) is a great form of exercise.

(No wonder Sylvia is in such great shape!)

So... John and Sylvia, keep tripping the light fantastic. Your judge’s score is 10 10 10!

I know this is the Heritage JEWISH News...

But this is soooooo exciting that I am thrilled to tell you about it:

The smash Broadway musical hit “The Book Of Mormon” is coming to Orlando. It will open at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 29 and run through Sunday, Nov.10.

It is still one of the greatest hits in New York City and we are super lucky to see it here at home at this time!

“The Book of Mormon” is a religious satire musical with book, lyrics and music by TREY PARKER, ROBERT LOPEZ and MATT STONE.

Best known for creating the animated comedy “South Park,” Parker and Stone co-created the music with Lopez. The show lampoons organized religion and traditional musical theatre.

According to Wikipedia: “It tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries sent to a remote village in northern Uganda, where a brutal warlord is threatening the local population. Naïve and optimistic, the two missionaries try to share the Book of Mormon, one of their scriptures, which only one of them has read, but have trouble connecting with the locals who are more worried about war, famine, poverty and AIDS than about religion.”

“The Book of Mormon” opened on Broadway in 2011 and has garnered overwhelmingly positive critical response and numerous theater awards among them 9 Tony Awards, including one for  “Best Musical.”

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at .

DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

Attention music and comedy lovers...

That probably includes all of us! Be sure to mark this date on your calendar: Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. sharp.

Why, you ask? I’ll tell you why: At the Roth JCC of Greater Orlando, 851 N. Maitland Avenue, Maitland, in the Harriett & Hymen Lake Cultural Center Auditorium, there will be a fabulous show filled with music and comedy! Bring your friends and relatives to enjoy the comedy of LARRY LARKIN, a seasoned performer who will have you rolling in the aisles.

Always tasteful and always hilarious, Larry Larkin is a one of a kind comedian who knows exactly how to tickle everyone’s funny-bone!

(I had the pleasure of being in the audience last time Larry Larkin performed. He’s the genuine article... like the great comedians of the past. His humor is clean and truly funny. I wish the comedians of today were more like him!)

Also on the bill for this extraordinary afternoon will be SUZI CRUZ whose musical comedy act is an amazing variety of songs ranging from Broadway’s greatest hits, zany comedy, characterizations of some of your favorite singers, the nostalgia of the 40s, 50s, and 60s and much, much more. There’s enough fun for everyone and you’ll leave feeling uplifted and entertained.

Complimentary light refreshments, coffee and tea, will be served.

The cost of this special event is $12 per person, which will benefit the JCC’s Jack and Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando campus.

For only $3, you can take a bus roundtrip from the JCC’s Rosen Campus to the Roth JCC in Maitland.

(Available at both JCC’s Welcome Centers or by phoning 407-387-5330 by Wednesday, Oct. 30.)

Don’t miss this very special event!

A reminder...

This is the “scary” season, what with Halloween almost upon us!

Time to remind you about the Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors who will hold their next meeting and event on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. at the COS Synagogue, 613 Concourse Pky South, Maitland.

A “Murder Mystery” will take place and all who attend will have to guess who committed it! The Company Players will perform the musical murder and mayhem mystery to everyone’s delight.

The cost is only $5, COS Senior members; $8, all others. Bring your friends. Refreshments will be included.

For further information, phone BERNY RAFF at 407-767-6763.

Not to be missed...

A most important event is taking place on Monday, Nov. 4 at the University Club of Winter Park.

Dr. PAUL VILMOS will present a close up and personal view of his experiences as a young man during the Hungarian Revolution circa 1958.

After surviving Nazi deportation to his native Hungary, escaping the horrific death camps and living through the tumultuous Hungarian Revolution, Dr.Vilmos will speak of his experiences as a young man during that time.

The event begins at 10 a.m. at the University Club of Winter Park, 841 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park.

The public is invited to this free presentation.

For further information or directions, phone 407-644-6149

(I will mention this again next column.)

One for the road...

Becky’s grandson and his wife are coming to visit her for the first time. So she is giving him directions to her apartment... “You come to the front door of the Orlando Arms Apartments. I am in apartment number 32 on the 14th floor. At the front door, you’ll see a big panel of buttons. With your elbow push button 32. I will buzz you in. Come inside, the elevator is on the right. Get in, and with your elbow hit the button for the 14th floor. When you get out, I am on the left.  With your elbow, hit my doorbell.”

“Grandma, that sounds easy, but why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow”?

“You’re coming empty handed”?