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

It's that time, I suppose...

These days (being a so-called "Senior Citizen,") many of my friends, my spouse and I, and assorted relatives, are thinking about trusts, wills and such.

Knowing that I'm an animal lover, someone sent this to me via email and I think it is worthy of repeating:

A Dog's Last Will And Testament

Before humans die, they write their last will and testament, give their home and all they have to those they leave behind. If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I'd ask ... To a poor and lonely stray I'd give my happy home, my bowl and cozy bed, soft pillow and all my toys; the lap, which I loved so much, the hand that stroked my hair; and the sweet voice that spoke my name.

I'd will to the sad, scared shelter dog, the place I had in my human's loving heart, of which there seemed no bounds.

So, when I die, please do not say, "I will never have a pet again, for the loss and pain is more than I can stand."

Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope, and give my place to him. This is the only thing I can give... the love I left behind.

Author unknown

(I'm sure my dog and many of your dogs would write the same if they could.)

Wonders of Weizmann...

I recently received this from The Weizmann Institute of Science:

"Weizmann Institute scientists have developed new ways of fighting disease and hunger, protecting the environment, and harnessing alternative energy solutions. Here are just a few:

Amniocentesis for prenatal testing, invented by Prof. LEO SACHS. It is the ability to examine fetal DNA from amniotic fluid which has led to the sex of the fetus and the diagnosis of Down Syndrome and many other genetic disorders; An MRI -based method to which the FDA gave a 'green light,' called 'Three Time Point (3TP), invented by Prof. HADASSA DEGANI, detects breast and prostate cancers noninvasively. The technique produces an image of blood vessels supplying cancerous tumors with oxygen, making it possible to distinguish between malignant and benign growths; And an innovative treatment that prevents the progression of juvenile diabetes. Prof. IRUN COHEN discovered a target peptide involved in the immune process leading to type 1 diabetes. Administration of the resulting drug, DIAPEP 277, has been shown to be effective in halting the progression of the disease. (The world needs this type of research. Thank you.)

Speaking of Senior Citizens...

This gal is NOT one yet... (oy vay, am I in trouble?) The gal I refer to is HILDE SANDS, who recently celebrated a birthday by going to dinner with her long-time friend, GERRY ECKSTEIN. They spent a most special evening at the Outback Steakhouse, Winter Park. (You may still be too young to write a legal will, etc. Hilde, so don't get upset with me! Actually, nobody is too young.) I take it back. Irving is too young ...

The "Irving" I'm talking about is our own IRVING JACOBSON who recently celebrated his... (are you ready for it?) 104th birthday!

Yes, you read right, 104th! Just look at that handsome man. (See photo.)

I received this email from his daughter and son-in-law, JOY and LON WINTER:

"Hi Gloria,

We had daddy's 104th birthday party last Saturday night. The usual cast of characters were there ... our daughter, JESSICA and her husband PETE came in with their son, JACK who is daddy's 12th great-grandchild. MARK, daddy's first grandchild was there. Also Mark's son JUSTIN, who is daddy's first great-grandchild and our son JORDAN was there as well. Everyone was so happy. We sang, ate and laughed and ate some more."

(Folks after my own heart.)

"There were poems and songs sung to daddy. Lon's twin sister JUDY and her husband LARRY came in from Stuart. Judy entertained us with the beautiful and favorite song of daddy's, Irving Berlin's 'I'll Be Loving You, Always.' Judy encouraged all of us to sing along and instead of singing 'always' to sing 'Irving.' It was so much fun and such a great idea. Daddy was thrilled.

Daddy's very good friends, MOLLY and MOREY SOLOMON and LILLY and JOEL REUBEN, were with us again this year. The birthday celebration was filled with love and happiness. We thank G-D for another wonderful birthday."

(The folks that know him, know how artistic and crafty Irving is... truly super-talented. He has created items for his birthday celebrations and is confident, as am I, that he will be creating for some time to come!)

JFGO honors...

A recent "Mensch of the Week" for the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando was CARMIT GILAD. Along with her photo, this was written:

"Carmit is the coordinator of the Partnership2Gether program between Orlando and our sister city Kiryat Motzkin in Israel. Carmit will be visiting in the United States in the coming weeks, and will be in Orlando to share news from Kiryat Motzkin. While here, she will meet with members of the JFGO Israel committee.

Additionally, she will meet with teachers from the JCC preschool and the Jewish Academy to coordinate joint projects between students here and in Kiryat Motzkin.

We thank Carmit for taking time away from her home in Israel to further this wonderful relationship between our two cities."

There is still time...

Last week I wrote about the opening of "Ghost, the Musical" at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. I said opening night was May 13 ... which is too late for this column, but there is still time to see a performance tonight (May 16), also May 17 and May 18. Don't miss it.

For further details, you can phone the Bob Carr Box office or contact DONNA FIEGEL at True Marketing, 407-704-6185 or 407-462-4961.

For the best in jazz anywhere...

I received an email from ALAN ROCK, emcee of the Altamonte Chapel jazz programs and radio host of his own morning music program on WUCF FM

89.9 radio:

"On Sunday, May 25, the head of Jazz Studies at U.C.F., JEFF RUPERT, brings to The Chapel a swingin' Sunday with The Jazz Professors Quartet featuring PER DANIELSSON (piano), RICHARD DREXLER (bass), MARTY MORRELL (drums), and Jeff Rupert (sax).

On a national level The Jazz Professors have held a strong presence on the Jazz Charts and this is your chance to see and hear them in person and up close. I'm sure Jeff will have some of their CD's available for you so you can add some extra special music to your Jazz Collection." The Altamonte Chapel is located at 825 East SR 436, Altamonte Springs.

The phone number is 407-339-5208. The program begins at 12:30 p.m. (Professional musicians and singers are generally welcome to "sit-in" second set.)

One for the road...

Carmit Gilad

(With Irv's and my 54th anniversary approaching, I felt this apropos)

It's Dan and Sue's 50th wedding anniversary and to celebrate, their son, Aaron invites the close family to a Golden Wedding dinner at his house.

During the evening, Aaron gets very emotional every time he hears his dad call his mom endearing names like "darling," "petal," "sweetheart," and my "lover." Aaron is happy that his parents are still so very much in love!

While Sue is out of the room, Aaron says to his dad, "I think it's fantastic that after 50 years you still call mom such loving pet names."

To that, Dan replies: "Things are not always what they seem, son. I forgot your mom's name about five years ago."