Back in Orlando...

Wow. I didn't think it was hot in Chicago when it hit 81 degrees the other day. However, many local folks donned shorts. Most complained about the high heat. (I cooled off!)

You know I write this column more than a week in advance of publication. I just returned from Chicago late last night.

I was there for a private gig and most important... for the bar mitzvah of my grandson, ZACHARY AARON YOUSHA, son of Dr. STEVEN YOUSHA and Dr. JESSICA GOLUB of Wilmette, Illinois.

The family belongs to Hakafa Congregation, headed by spiritual leader, Rabbi BRUCE ELDER.

Zachary made me very proud, especially when I placed his grandfather, Irv's tallit around his shoulders. Irv purchased the tallis in Jerusalem and it was very special to him. (My spouse, Irv, died several months ago.)

Not knowing the correct way to say tallis or is it tallit? I asked Rabbi Elder and his answer was a big smile and one word... YES! (Which meant either way is okay.)

The Saturday service was held at the Double Tree by Hilton hotel in Evanston, Ill., followed by a fabulous luncheon, dancing and celebration!

In the evening, Zach and his family, including sister, LAUREN NICOLE, hosted a pool and pizza party at the hotel and on Sunday, many family members and friends who came in for the bar mitzvah from out-of-town, had brunch at Zachary's home in Wilmette. It was wonderful and memorable. Definitely a highlight in my life!

I love this idea...

Finally, an inter-faith conference in Qatar promoting co-existence. I read this in the current issue of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest and pass it along to you in part:

"At the gathering of representatives from various faiths in Qatar...the 12th Doha Interfaith Dialogue Conference... participants agreed on the important role religion can play in facing challenges in the field of security, peace and protection of societies from intellectual deviation and religious extremism as well as to spread values of tolerance, respect and coexistence." About 400 Muslims, Christians and Jews were present.

A super talent...

I received the following email from LISA MELITLO of the Winter Park Playhouse. I pass it along to you:

"The Winter Park Playhouse Spotlight Cabaret Series features the immensely popular and uniquely talented CAROL STEIN Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 16.  Premiering her new solo cabaret entitled, Travels With Carol, she will take you on a musical travel adventure with, as expected, Carol at the piano and microphone! 

Carol was born in Miami, Florida and began classical piano studies at the age of four. She received her Masters Degree from the University of Florida. Her travels as a performer and musician have taken her around the globe for many years and include performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Montreux Palace in Switzerland, The Oasis Lounge in Hong Kong, Avalon European Dinner Cruises and Walt Disney World in Orlando where she is the famous piano lady at The Rose and Crown Pub in the United Kingdom Pavilion in EPCOT.

Carol is known for her improvisational style of composing and arranging pieces spontaneously during a live performance to turn a melody  "inside -out" into the various styles of say Bach (classical), then Duke Ellington(swing) and then perhaps, a bosso nova style - whatever she decides in the moment - all using the same piece of music She also performs as a soloist with her jazz quintet, has been a guest solo artist with the Space coast Pops Orchestra, and was the featured pianist with The Jacksonville Symphony for the Marvin Hamlisch tribute. Carol has recorded four solo albums in the various styles of jazz, ballads, swing and her own compositions.

General Admission tickets are $20 plus a one drink minimum. Once sold out, a limited number of "Standing Room Only" tickets are available for $10.  Seating is limited so advance reservations are strongly recommended.  Doors open at 6:30 pm for a 7:30 pm cabaret. Tickets will sell quickly, so call The Winter Park Playhouse box office for tickets 407-645-0145 or purchase online at www.winterparkplayhouse.org."

(Carol is a super-talent and a super lady. You MUST see her perform! And best of all, She is one of ours!)

Dazzling Divas...

On Thursday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m. the Dazzling Divas will perform a night of cabaret. 'Drag and Dine' at Otters on the River Restaurant, 4380 Carraway Place, Sanford. To RSVP phone the restaurant at 407-636-6300 or Kenny Lee, 407-670-4418.

One for the road...

Maurice and Sadie invited Nigel, their gentile neighbor for a Passover dinner. The first course was served and Sadie said to Nigel, "This is matzo ball soup."

When Nigel saw the two large matzo balls in the soup, he was hesitant to taste this strange looking brew. But Maurice gently persuaded him to try it. "Just have a taste. If you don't like it, you don't have to finish it, honestly."

So Nigel has a taste. He digs his spoon in and picks up a small piece of matzo ball with some soup. He tastes it gingerly and finds he likes it very much. Quickly he finishes his plate.

"That was delicious", says Nigel. "Can you eat any other part of the matzo?"

Carol Stein

(Okay folks. Think about it. This is really a very funny joke!)