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

More reasons for depression...

It is acknowledged by most that as a person grows older... really elderly... they may experience bouts of depression. It happens to me occasionally, even though I'm NOT elderly, (Shut up!) especially when I read things like the following story from The World Jewish Congress Digest (WJC):

"One of the oldest functioning Jewish schools, The Carolineskolen in Copenhagen, Denmark, recently suffered smashed windows and anti-Semitic graffiti. The vandals, who perpetrated the attack during the evening hours, gained entry by cutting a hole in the school's surrounding fence.

'We have never before in our 210 year long history experienced something like this,' said school principal JAN HANSEN. 'Parents and children are worried, and some parents don't want to send their children to school.'

The graffiti, which reflected the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, was cleaned up before students arrived the following morning. The Carolineskolen serves around 200 children, including a kindergarten and day care center.

The attack comes as reports of anti-Semitic harassment have been rising in Denmark and following a demonstration in a heavily Muslim neighborhood in Copenhagen to protest anti-Semitism."

What a sad loss...

In the same WJC digest, the following memoriam (with asides by me in parenthesis) was written about the late Joan Rivers:

"The popular comedienne, who often used her Judaism as a source of her humor, died at Mount Sinai Hospital on Sept. 4th following complications from an outpatient medical procedure. She was 81 years old.

(And still bright, funny, pretty and smart... not "elderly" in any way!)

The daughter of immigrant Russian Jews, (I think her dad was a medical doctor), Rivers was born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn, N.Y.

(Yeah, Brooklyn!)

She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College.

Working her way up through New York comedy clubs and finally onto Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show,' she became Carson's regular guest host in 1983. In 1990 she hosted her own Emmy-winning 'Joan Rivers Show' (ending Johnny's friendship with her because she became his competitor on TV), and most recently she gained a new young audience by critiquing Hollywood celebrities on 'Fashion Police' along with her daughter, MELISSA. (Melissa was involved behind the scenes.)

Joan was a devoted supporter of Israel and philanthropic to many Jewish causes.

Among her many notable quotes: 'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is G-d's gift, that's why we call it the present.'"

(I have been "borrowing" Joan's jokes for many years. My favorite is the one where she says she never cleans her apartment anymore. She just calls 911 and reports that she was robbed. The police come and dust for prints!)

Memories and tears...

The 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade happened just recently, bringing back memories of the day my dad took me to it many, many (many) years ago when I was just a child. That memory stays with me for more than a half-century, one of the few with my father. He was quiet and let my wonderful mom "rule the roost." But, I repeat, that memory stays with me and still moves me to tears. I love you, Dad and will never forget you!

And speaking of Thanksgiving...

My spouse, one of our sons and I, celebrated Thanksgiving with dinner at Bucca di Beppo Restaurant in Maitland. The atmosphere was great, the food was great and our server, ASHLEY SAVITZ, was fabulous! She was right-on about everything and took wonderful care of us, packing up our leftovers for the next day. She certainly added to the family feeling of the special Thanksgiving holiday!

More shout outs...

Still feeling warm about good people, my glasses broke the day after Thanksgiving, but never fear! I went to Costco in Winter Park where Optician JESSE RODEHEAVER showed me to a chair (to rest my old bones?) and fixed my glasses at no charge even though they were not bought at Costco. He said it was "his pleasure."

And this really got me...

I went to the Pet Supermarket on Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, to find a toy or two for our sweet dog, CHLOE for Chanukah. (She is Jewish, after all!)

I actually found two very special toys... a blue and white stuffed dreidle that sings "The Dreidle Song" (really!) and a blue and white stuffed fish with the word "Gefilte" sewn into its side. When it is squeezed it says "Oy Vay! gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle! (See photo.)

On the subject of Chanukah...

ILLL! What does it stand for, you ask? You heard of ISIS (unfortunately), but have you ever heard of ILLL? (Of course you haven't because it stands for something only known to me! ILLL means "I love LARRY LARKIN!

I mention this fabulous comedian because he is truly totally brilliant without ever being "off-color." He is a first-rate international entertainer. (Larry delights me with his great talent and sparkle in his eyes!)

Also, wonderful and talented Cantor ISAAC KRIGER and his equally talented wife, ELIZABETH BRAHM-KRIGER, will be performing The Chanukah Story at this party that will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the first night of Chanukah and is open to the entire community.

Besides the first-rate entertainment, there will be latkes and treats (yum} drinks and other Chanukah refreshments. And, of course there will be a Chanukah candle lighting ceremony performed by Rabbi HOWARD SCHWARTZ and Cantor Kriger.

The party will be on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 6-9 p.m. at the King's Ridge Clubhouse, Kings Ridge Blvd, Clermont, FL 34711. Tickets may be reserved for $18 per person by phoning NATHAN AXEL at 352-242-6135 by today!

More about Chanukah...

I received the following email from LORI DE WAAL:

Move over Elf on the Shelf and make room for the holiday companion that is over 5000 years in the making-it's 'Maccabee on the Mantel,' an adorable plush doll and accompanying storybook that teaches children about the origins of Chanukah and celebrates one of the culture's most prominent but often misunderstood traditions. Conceived of by mother of two and pre-school temple instructor ABRA LIBERMAN-GARRETT, 'Maccabee on the Mantel' is a huggable stuffed Maccabeean soldier whose personal story in the book illustrates the escape of the chosen people from the brutal King Antiochus.

Abra, raised with sometimes lackluster Jewish holiday traditions, she became more passionate about teaching the origins of Chanukah while raising her children in Dallas. So she invented a holiday product that is kid-tested and rabbi-approved.

'Maccabee on the Mantel' is based in real Jewish history, and presented with materials that have been developed with the utmost educational value in mind. More than anything, 'Maccabee on the Mantel' reminds human companions young and old-and Jewish or otherwise-about the origins of the Festival of Lights. "Chanukah is a really cool holiday," says Liberman-Garrett. "The story is about facing insurmountable odds, fighting for your rights, and believing in yourself."

You can get the doll and the book on or by going to .

One for the road...

It's 3 a.m. in the morning and Maurice and Golda are woken up by a loud banging on their front door. Maurice gets up and opens the door to a drunken stranger standing in the pouring rain.

"Can I have a push?" says the drunk.

"No you can't," says Maurice, "it's three o'clock in the morning. Please go away, you'll wake the children."

Maurice shuts the door and goes back to bed.

"Who was that?" asks Golda.

Alex Golub, Gloria's father

"Just some drunk, dear, asking for a push," Maurice replies.

"So did you help him?" Golda asks.

"No I didn't. It's 3 a.m. and it's pouring with rain," replies Maurice.

Golda says, "Shame on you, Maurice. Have you already forgotten when our car broke down about six months ago and those two men helped us? I think you should help the man outside."

So Maurice reluctantly does as he is told. He gets dressed, goes out into the pouring rain and calls out, "Hello, are you still there?"

"Yes," comes back the answer.

"Do you still need a push?" Maurice shouts.

"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.

"So where are you?" asks Maurice.

"Over here on the swing," replies the drunk.