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

More surprises ...

Of course I've heard of WILLIAM SHATNER, but I never knew he was Jewish.

Shatner was born in Montreal, Canada (like my mom). His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from present day Ukraine. (Also like my ancestors).

He started out acting in Canada, playing many serious roles.

When you think of William Shatner, you automatically think of "Star Trek."

(Hey! Captain Kirk!) Incidentally, he is 90 years old and still going strong.

Then there is Chaim Witz, musician, singer, songwriter and television personality.

What! You don't recognize his name? How about GENE SIMMONS of "Kiss"?

Of course he is the bassist and co-lead singer of his rock band "Kiss."

Gene was born in 1949 in Haifa, Israel to Jewish immigrants from Hungary.

His mom and her brother, Larry Klein, were only a few of the members of the family to survive the Holocaust. At age eight, he immigrated to the United States with his mother and settled in New York City. His father remained in Israel, where he had another son and three daughters.

Here is an amazing quote from Gene: "There is no way I'd be doing what I do now if it wasn't for the Beatles. I was watching "The Ed Sullivan Show" and I saw them. Those skinny little boys, kind of androgynous, with long hair like girls. It blew me away that these four boys from the middle of nowhere could make that music."

(Wow! Lucky for fans of "Kiss" that Gene Simmons was watching television that evening!)

This made my early evening ...

I wrote about the fabulous LARRY DAVID, actor, comedian, producer, director, etc. last week. He was recently attending fashion shows at New York Fashion Week where my youngest son, RON, was working.

Ron said: "I got a kick out of the fact that Larry kept covering his ears when the music became very loud!"

(I do the same thing!)

This seems to be getting worse ...

According to the World Jewish Congress, Antisemitic Conspiracy Myths, QAnon Movement Growing With Spread Of Covid-19.

I pass the article on to you:

"Two new reports have found that harmful conspiracy myths targeting Jews have become increasingly widespread online, and that the once United States-centric QAnon movement has begun to take hold across Europe. The reports explain how misinformation campaigns regarding the coronavirus have flourished on social media, with tech companies struggling to address the issues.

Said WJC President Ambassador RONALD S. LAUDER: 'Covid-19 is not the only disease that has spread widely across the globe this year.

Conspiracies surrounding false child abuse scandals or assumptions that Jews are to blame for the creation and spread of Covid-19 are not only spreading hatred and contempt, but putting far more lives in danger. Although there is a vaccine for the coronavirus, there is no vaccine for hatred. We must continue to educate others on the dangers of conspiracy myths so that truth can prevail.'"

(Maybe I'm lucky to be older with less years ahead of me. What will this world be like for my children and grandchildren? I shudder to think!)

Jewish cemetery desecrated in Athens ...

The WJC-affiliated Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece condemned the desecration of the outer wall of a Jewish cemetery with Nazi slogans.

Nazism has no place in our democracy ... law enforcement and justice authorities have to be on alert and make sure that the Nazi crimes against humanity will never be committed again.

Antisemitism lies in the very root of the absolute evil that Nazism expresses. It starts with the Jews but never stops with them.

(Let's hope we still have a democracy!)

Just a thought ... A secure Israel strengthens America ...

I read this recently in an AIPAC notice and pass it on to you:

America is stronger because Israel is a reliable, stable, democratic ally that shares our values in a highly volatile, strategically important region of the world.

Israel is a capable partner on the front lines against our enemies.

Israel willingly offers its innovation, experience and ingenuity to improve all facets of American life and is a world leader in the arenas that define 21st century progress.

On the other hand, Iran is threatening to destroy Israel as it attacks the Jewish state and provides advanced weapons to terrorist groups dedicated to Israel's destruction. And Iran continues to advance its nuclear weapons program.

Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic jihad in Gaza are enhancing their capabilities to wage war against Israel.

Chaos and radicalism are spreading across the Middle East ... threatening the stability of Israel's neighbors and peace partners like Egypt and Jordan.

Full funding of America's security assistance commitment to Israel enables the Jewish state to address these mounting threats and advance U.S. interests.

(Vital American aid helps Israel keep its citizens safe from the rising threats of enemies sworn to the Jewish state's destruction.)

Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando ...

PJ in the Patch ... PJ Library Hagerty Farms Pumpkin Patch on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2:30 p.m. Free Admission.

Gene Simmons

Activities include: Read aloud, Pumpkins from the patch, Sweet fall treats, Parents meet and greet.

For further information, phone the Federation at 407-645-5933.

(Yum yum, sweet fall treats. Count me in!)

One for the road ...

(Funny people are reading this column! They are sending me terrific jokes! Thanks!) Here's one:

"Miriam was very upset when she returned from the pharmacy. She phoned her doctor and asked: '

Is it true that the medicine you prescribed must be taken for the rest of my life?'

'Yes Miriam, it is true, her doctor responded.

There was a long pause and then Miriam replied: 'How serious is my condition? This prescription is marked NO REFILL!'"

Oy Vay! Poor Miriam!)