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

I know I've said this before, but WHAT TALENT! ...

An EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony ) winner (and well deserved! )

I refer to singer, actress, etc. BARBRA STREISAND, from Brooklyn like me, a singer like me ... (well not. I wish I could sing like her!) I may have written about her before, but such a talent is worth many write-ups! Her half-sister ROSLYN KIND is also a singer but not in the same league as Barbra.

Her maternal grandfather was a cantor in the Russian Empire. Her paternal grandparents were from Poland and Ukraine. (My ancestry on both sides came from the same places so why didn't I have the same fabulous singing voice? (Don't answer that!)

Anyway, we attended rival high schools: She to Erasmus Hall and me to Tilden. She began her Jewish education at the Jewish Orthodox Yeshiva of Brooklyn when she was five followed by PS 89. (I went to PS 233). She always wanted to get out of Brooklyn and become famous. She got her wish for sure!

(Well, I did get out of Brooklyn!)

Unfortunately, no longer with us ...

I refer to Marvin Hamlisch, who passed away in 2012. He and Barbra Streisand were great friends and both super-talents in the music field. He also won an EGOT (again I repeat, an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony!) Oh yes, also a Pulitzer Prize!

Marvin was born in Manhattan to Viennese-born Jewish parents. His father was an esteemed musician. Marvin was a child prodigy and by age five, he began mimicking the piano music he heard on the radio. No surprise ... he attended Julliard School of Music!

Both Barbra and Marvin came to mind because I just watched the movie "The Way We Were" on television. As you probably know, Barbra starred in the movie and Marvin wrote the beautiful title song!

I wish I could stick with the joyful subjects but not always possible ...

I read this in "FLAME" Facts and logic about the Middle East. Surely you remember these recent painful headlines: escalating, and more vicious than ever.

1. Hamas and Hezbollah fire first new rockets at Israel since May war.

2. Nine radical U.S. Representatives block funding of Israel's Iron Dome defense system.

3. The New York Times lies about Jewish history in the Holy Land.

4. Fifty-eight percent of religious hate crimes are against Jews, who make up just 2 percent of the U.S. population.

(I can't continue. It brings back too many memories of my childhood and the cruelty I faced for being Jewish.)

And speaking of cruelty ...

I read this in the World Jewish Congress digest and pass it along to you:

"An 18-year-old in Cologne, Germany, was brutally attacked by a large group because he was wearing a kippah, according to a spokesman for the investigators.

The young man had been sitting in a park with an acquaintance. As they were about to leave, he is said to have been insulted in an anti-Semitic fashion. The 18-year-old was then "badly battered in the face" and was hospitalized with a broken nose and cheekbone.

One of the assailants also allegedly snatched the kippah from his head. The act was partially recorded by a police camera. That same night, officers arrested two young men, ages 18 and 19. The two were released but are still considered suspects. As the crime is considered to be motivated by antisemitism, the police state protection department is investigating.

Cologne Mayor HENRIETTA REKER reacted with horror and regret to the act of violence. "In our city, everyone must be able to live without fear, no matter their religion, their worldview, or how you live and love," she said.

The German government's antisemitism commissioner, FELIX KLEIN, expressed dismay at the brutal attack. According to the German government, "Let it be said to every perpetrator that we do not tolerate antisemitism in our society and will use all the means available under the rule of law to banish this abhorrent, inhuman attitude from our streets."

(Thank goodness Adolf Hitler is dead!)

Ben & Jerry's bad taste ...

The ice cream maker's intent to ban sales and operations of its Israeli affiliate in the occupied Palestinian territories (they said) is based on lies and bad faith toward Israel.

While Ben & Jerry's board also wants to boycott the State of Israel entirely, it was stopped by its owner Unilever. Either way, the false claim that Israel occupies Palestinian territories is a malicious slander, attempting to delegitimize the Jewish state, which itself is an antisemitic act.

This made my day ...

I received a wonderful card from a family across the nation. It was not a Christmas card, rather, it said "Happy Everything."

The photo card was of Dr. TODD GOLUB, his lovely wife, MARTHA, and their two wonderful daughters, ZOE and AVERY. There was also a photo of an adorable dog on the back of the card. I don't know its name, but I am assuming it belongs to the Golub family.

Yes, I celebrated Chanukah! And I also give presents to my dear friends at Christmas ... but to wish me "happy everything" was precious! Thank You!!

And speaking of animals ...

I received this little card in the mail. It was from the Humane Society of the U.S. It said "Four Ways To Help Animals."

Purchase cruelty-free cosmetic products.

Report evidence of Puppy Mills or animal fighting operations.

Know when to care for an injured baby wild animal.

Advocate for animals in your community.

Marvin Hamlisch

I love animals (and they seem to love me ... most of the time. I'm writing this column with an injured finger due to a dog bite!)

Seniors on the Go ...

According to BARBARA GOLDBERG: Starting in January the group will be starting its Yiddish Circle on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at noon, led by Victor and Batya Granatstein. They will start with lunch and all attending will bring something to share with the group. Any questions, please contact Victor.

One for the road ...

Here is a comedian I knew personally - Sam Levenson. Here is one of the many jokes of his that I remember:

"Insanity is hereditary," claimed the late Jewish comedian (and wonderful friend) Sam Levenson. "You can get it from your children."

(I hope my children don't read this column!!)