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

A Poem For You (from me)...

"I'm elderly (?) a senior gal, a name that used to pain,

Instead of young and beautiful, being old makes me insane,

But then I think of all the songs, the music of my time,

How beautiful and meaningful, not rap (pure crap) a crime!

And stars like Benny, Berle and Brooks,

And even Baby Snooks!

The Broadway shows, the acts, the movies of my day,

Were absolutely brilliant, great in every way!

SO WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED??

Okay. So we look and sound alike ...

Of course you heard of Joan Alexandra Molinsky. And, of course, you know I look and sound like her. And, of course she was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., like me. And, of course, she is Jewish like me. And I think (maybe only I think) she was as funny as me.

You know by now that I refer to the late, great Joan Rivers.

Rivers started her career in comedy clubs in Greenwich Village alongside, George Carlin, Woody Allen, and Richard Pryor. (All great comics!)

She really became famous when she appeared on the Johnny Carson television show. She has been called "quite possibly the most intuitively funny woman alive." (I think so too!)

Unfortunately, she is no longer with us.

(RIP Joan. I love you and will never forget you and the laughs you brought me!)

And speaking of laughing ...

(I could sure use some funny stuff now. This pandemic has got to end soon, or maybe I'll end soon!)

Remember Isadore Itzkowitz? (Of course you do.) You knew him as Eddie Cantor, a fabulous performer, comic, actor, vaudevillian. He was like a family member to many. Remember the songs "Makin Whoopee", Ida (sweet as apple cider), If you knew Susie", and so many more that he wrote. (Incidentally, Ida was his one and only spouse for many years.)

Eddie's parents were from Russia like so many of our ancestors. Eddie and Ida were parents to five (count em 5) daughters... all deceased.

(I hope he will never be forgotten!)

I surely will never forget ...

Frank Loesser, a fabulous composer and lyricist who was of Jewish parents. Frank was the composer of many hit shows, including "Guys And Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business." Both shows won him Tony Awards and an Oscar for "Baby, it's cold outside." Of course, he was a Jewish New Yorker. (He was the first songwriter I had the privilege of dancing and performing to his songs in show biz.)

What's with the weather? ...

Are we confronting climate change?

Actually, the World Jewish Congress emphasizes a need to confront the climate emergency.

WJC Executive Vice President, MARAM STERN said: "Respect for and preservation of our natural surroundings have always been a mainstay of Jewish tradition and teaching. The Bible outlaws destroying fruit trees in warfare, rainfall and dew are central elements of our Jewish liturgy, and we are mandated to allow the earth to regenerate itself every seventh year.

The state of Israel, since before its inception, has been a world leader in reforestation, reinforced by Tu B'Shvat, the millennia-old Jewish New Year for trees.

We are conscious of the grim reality, as cogently expressed by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the WJC's Australian affiliate, that the threat to all human life, through the increasing frequency and magnitude of such extreme weather events as bushfires, drought, water shortages, floods, and record temperatures must be a priority for the entire international community.

Accordingly, the WJC commends the participants in COP25 who will seek to find solutions to the potentially calamitous consequences of ignoring the clear climate emergency confronting the world.

The WJC is proud that numerous Jewish organizations and bodies, including our affiliates, the Commonwealth Jewish Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, have undertaken initiatives to counter a host of ecological crises, and that Prime Minister NAFTALI BENNETT, who will represent the State of Israel at COP26, has declared the tackling of climate change and demonstrating a national security interest of Israel.

It is critical that all civil society and faith and cultural communities join with government and local authorities in taking responsible action on climate change and demonstrating environmental responsibility."

JCC Seniors On The Go ...

According to leader BARBARA GOLDBERG:

Monday, Feb. 28th--Gentle BeMoved at 1pm

Monday, March 7th--Luncheon at 12 noon. Maitland Performance Arts brings us a music duo by Riobert and Jon.

Thursdays, March 10th and 24th--Yiddish Circle and lunch starting at 12 noon. Bring something to share.

The Roth Family JCC...

(Time for some FUN!)

It's a Food Truck Family Shabbat!

On Friday, March 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a Food Truck Family Shabbat. (You can eat, drink and be Shabbastik!)

The cost is $18 per family. Celebrate unity with your community. For more information, phone 407-645-5933

The Jewish Pavilion ...

Some good advice from NANCY LUDIN, CEO of the Jewish Pavilion:

Skilled nursing is a high level of care that requires advanced training and certifications, and this care must be provided under the direct supervision of licensed health professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and more. Examples of skilled nursing care include wound care, injections, and intravenous therapy.

Eddie Cantor

Skilled nursing is offered at skilled nursing facilities. People often encounter SNFs following surgeries like hip replacements that require post-operative rehabilitation. Generally, Medicare covers the cost of such a facility for 30 days; when the recovery period is over, however, Medicare ceases funding. SNFs can be utilized for either short-term or permanent residency.

Rehabilitation hospitals, on the other hand, are designed for short-term care only. These centers are devoted to patients with various neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and other conditions that have stabilized, allowing the patient to focus on rehabilitation and recovery.

Whatever your specific needs, the Jewish Pavilion is here to help. For more information, please contact the Orlando Senior Help Desk at (407) 678-9262 or visitwww.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org

One for the road ...

"Your in great shape," the doctor says, "You'll live to be seventy."

"But doctor, I'm already 72!" says the patient.

"Nu", the doctor replies. "Did I lie?"