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

I'm heartsick...

My prayers are for Ukraine and its people, many of them Jewish.

According to Russian President (dictator) PUTIN, Ukraine is under Nazi control. (If anyone fits the description of Nazis, it's Putin!).

A former actor and comedian, President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY of Ukraine was elected president in 2019. He is brave and devoted to his country and its people. By the way, he is Jewish.

My ancestry on my mother's side is Ukraine ... Odesa, Kiev, etc. My maternal grandparents fled antisemitism and settled in Montreal, Canada, with their son and daughter, my uncle Jack and aunt Betty. Their third child (my mom, Sally) was born in Montreal. After Sally's mom died, she was brought to the United States (Brooklyn) where my dad was born. His family was from Poland.

(They grew up, met, married and here I am!)

Again, I am heartsick and I hope that the people of Ukraine are victorious!

A terrific guy ...

I refer to waiter JOSH DOBBS, at the Bagel King Restaurant on Hwy 436 in Casselberry.

Not only does Josh do his job perfectly, he is also pleasant, charming and even funny! He makes eating at the Bagel King a super treat!

(The food is great, too!}

And still on the subject of Jewish ...

Anyone who watches the show "Jeopardy" will recognize the name MAYIM BIALIK, (I watch it all the time but hardly ever know the answers.)

Many people know of Mayim from her role on "The Big Bang Theory" television comedy.

Mayim's family were Jewish immigrants from Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary. She was born in San Diego, California.

She has many talents besides acting and hosting game shows. She is also a neuroscientist!

Nazis, even that word turns my stomach ...

As the world grapples with the coronavirus, the antisemites haven't missed a beat. They are busy deploying age-old horrific stereotypes used by the Nazis to demonize the Jewish people and foment hate.

Recently, there was a post on social media that equated Jews with the coronavirus, eerily reminiscent of Nazi-era propaganda painting Jews as disease spreaders.

Also neo-Nazis are fomenting hate of Jews (and Muslims) by encouraging those who are infected with the coronavirus to immediately visit a synagogue or mosque to spread the disease there.

The Jewish Pavilion ...

This is a note from CEO of the Jewish Pavilion, NANCY LUDIN:

"While Orlando has no Jewish home for the aged, elder-care residents have been counting on the Jewish Pavilion to bring Jewish life to their doorsteps since 2001.

Our 'Jewish home on wheels' provides outreach to our elders in 60 facilities throughout greater Orlando. Our staff and volunteers ensure that seniors in long-term care are visited, have the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat and holidays, as well as enjoy educational programming."

For more details and how you too can get involved, phone 407-678-9363 or email to http://www.jewishpavilion.org.

Orlando Senior Help Desk ...

The Jewish Pavilion is helping families, free of charge, with issues related to older adults like me. (Oh shut up!)

Questions about senior living, memory care, home health, hospice, elder law, physicians and more will be answered by senior Resource Specialists.

Again, for further information, phone the Jewish Pavilion at 407-678-9363.

Purim is almost here! ...

Get your party on, Purim is coming! The holiday is one of the most joyous and fun on the Jewish calendar, complete with everything from feasts to costumes to wine, all in honor of Queen Esther and her loyal cousin Mordecai rescuing the Jews from slaughter in the Persian Empire. The holiday begins on the evening of March 16th and ends at sundown on March 17th. ENJOY!

And speaking of Purim and Nancy Ludin ...

Here is a copy of the letter sent to Jewish Pavilion CEO, NANCY LUDIN, from ZARA KALMANSON:

"Dear Ms. Ludin, I hope that this email finds you well. Thank you for the great idea! We delivered the hamantaschen today at Cascade Heights and I wrote the article for the heritage. Here is Zara's article:

Mayim Bialik

"As the spirited festival of Purim nears, many look forward to the delicacy of hamantaschen. Resembling the hat of the biblical antagonist, Haman, the three cornered triangular features of the hamantaschen are a familiar shape each year.

This year, my grandmother, MYRNA OSSIN, and I collaborated on a way to bring some Purim cheer and do an activity that I enjoy ... baking!

Jewish Pavilion CEO, NANCY LUDIN, was the inspiration for delivering the hamantaschen to residents at Cascade Heights, a senior living facility.

Resident JUNE BROWN recounted some of her most memorable hamantaschen stories.

Brown mentioned, 'In my house, Purim was a very special holiday. We got new clothes and of course, my mother made hamantaschen. My favorite type was poppy seed flavor.'

With the help of Cascade Heights program director, ANNIE LEE, the hamantaschen was distributed to residents to enjoy."