Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 44, NO. 17 DECEMBER 27, 2019 29 KISLEV, 5780 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ Rosen receives Leadership award Harris Rosen (fourth from left) is flanked by three of his scholarship recipients and Alex Martins, (r) who presented the award. The Orlando Economic “Harris Rosen has been a Partnership has awarded its true leader in our Central James B. Greene award, the Florida community for de- highest honor bestowed by cades,” said William T. Dy- the Partnership to a local mond, Jr., Partnership board Chanukah menorah lights up Winter Park community leader, Harris chair, CEO and president of “Rain or shine, the menorah burns bright! Happy Chanukah night number 1!” said Rabbi Mendy Bronstein when Rosen, president and COO Lowndes and past James B. the Chanukah menorah was lit at Winter Park’s Central Park as rain gently fell throughout the day. of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. Greene recipient. “His dedi- The award was presented cation to the Orlando region at the Partnership’s recent and its residents is evidenced annual awards dinner held by a legacy of philanthropic at the Amway Center in impact that spans the edu- ‘Jews of Florida—Centuries of downtown Orlando. cational spectrum, from the The James B. Greene Award, Tangelo Park Program offer- first presented in 1990, rec- ing access to free preschool to Stories’ brings the past to life ognizes an individual whose the Rosen College of Hospital- work has contributed sub- ity Management, which has Stephen J. Whitfield, profes- stantially to the economic sor emeritus of American prosperity of the region. Rosen on page 15A Studies, Brandeis University. The first comprehensive history of the Jews of Florida from colonial times to the 2020 challenges and present is a sweeping tapestry of voices. Despite not being officially allowed to live in opportunities for Israel Florida until 1763, Jewish JERUSALEM, Israel—Ex- • A major terrorist attack in immigrants escaping expul- perts at the Jerusalem Insti- the U.S. or Europe by ISIS or sions and exclusions were tute for Strategy and Security, other Islamic groups, which among the earliest settlers. an Israeli foreign affairs and shifts the global political They have been integral to ev- defense think tank with close dynamic and brings about ery facet of Florida’s growth, ties to the Israeli security renewed Western intervention from tilling the land and establishment, believe that in the Mideast. developing early communi- in 2020 Iran will escalate its • A weakening of the ties to boosting tourism and enrichment of uranium and long-standing bipartisan Marcia Jo Zerivitz ultimately pushing mankind intensify brazen IRGC and Democratic-Republican con- into space. Qods force operations against sensus of support for Israel, “What Macaulay was to The Sunshine State’s Jews, Western and Israeli targets. as the U.S. presidential and the history of the English, working for the common Israel, they say, must be ready congressional elections be- Marcia Jo Zerivitz is to the good, have been Olympians, to tackle Iran on its own and come increasingly fierce. history of Florida Jewry. She Nobel Prize winners, com- fight a pre-emptive warfare “With considerable re- has salvaged the records puter pioneers, educators, with Hizballah. gional and global uncertainty of the past and turned the politicians, leaders in business On the other hand, Tehran defining Israel’s strategic en- struggles and successes and the arts and more, while could agree in the latter half of vironment, Israel must ensure of the dead into a living, maintaining their heritage to 2020 to talks with the U.S. on that it possess national cohe- breathing narrative,” said help ensure Jewish continuity the nuclear accord and other sion with which to face the for future generations. matters, if Iran faces extreme challenges ahead,” said JISS This rich narrative—ac- economic peril and political president Prof. Efraim Inbar. companied by 700 images, crisis, or if a Trump re-election “Israel also must improve most rarely seen—is the was honored and enthusiastic lections and presenting more victory seems assured. JISS its military preparedness, result of three-plus decades of to continue my passion of than 70 exhibits with 500 says that Israel must be especially the readiness of grassroots research by author documenting Florida Jewish educational programs in 16 prepared for this “problem- its ground forces for decisive Marcia Jo Zerivitz, giving History. For me, this is all years. Zerivitz has authored atic possibility” of renewed maneuver in enemy territory. readers an incomparable look about roots and memory. historical exhibitions, ar- U.S.-Iran talks, and work to Israel must strengthen its at the long and crucial history Like cut flowers, Jews wither ticles, books, and films, and ensure full coordination with primary diplomatic alliances, of Jews in Florida. without their roots. Our has been published nationally Washington regarding the especially its alliance with Many Central Floridians collective memories are our and internationally. demands to be made of Iran. the U.S., to ensure maximum are familiar with Zerivitz. She roots,” Zerivitz said in the Zerivitz also initiated the These are among the likely strategic flexibility against en- was the first woman president “Kehillah” introduction. legislation for both Florida developments that JISS ex- emies and to capitalize on key of the Jewish Federation of From 1984 to 1992, Zeri- Jewish History Month each perts foresee in their forecast diplomatic opportunities.” Greater Orlando (from 1978 vitz traveled 250,000 miles January and Jewish American for the Mideast strategic Established in 2017, the Je- to 1980). In 2015, Zerivitz throughout Florida, conduct- Heritage Month each May to environment in 2020. Other rusalem Institute for Strategy volunteered to serve as the ing grassroots research and increase awareness of the “trends and twists” in the and Security provides counsel guest curator of Orlando’s retrieving the state’s hidden, contributions of Jews to the think tank’s forecast include: to the highest echelons of own Jewish history exhibit 250-plus year Jewish History, quality of life for all. • A succession crisis in the Israeli government and trains and its book, “Kehillah: A His- resulting in a major archive “Jews of Florida—Centu- Palestinian Authority, which the next generation of Israeli tory of Jewish Life in Greater and the MOSAIC: Jewish Life ries of Stories” is published may require IDF intervention national security specialists. Orlando.” in Florida exhibit that traveled by Arcadia Publishing & The to prevent a Hamas takeover. “When I was approached to 13 cities from 1990-1994. History Press and will release • The possibility that Russia in May 2015 to curate the In 1995, she transitioned on Jan. 6, 2020. The book will may move to actively oppose Kehillah exhibition to com- that project into the Jewish be available wherever local Israel’s freedom of action memorate the centennial of Museum of Florida on Miami books are sold and online at against Iranian targets in Congregation Ohev Shalom, I Beach, enveloping the col- arcadiapublishing.com. Syria. PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, DECEMBER 27, 2019 Jewish Academy of Orlando partners with Christian and Muslim schools for Multi-faith program also saw a Torah and learned “God has given us many faiths transitional kindergarten how it is written. At the end of but only one world in which to through fifth grade. The the day the students socialized co-exist. May [our interfaith] school delivers a whole-child and even played dreidel. work help all of us cherish education fostering academic “Through the MEP our our commonalities and feel excellence and character students have, not only the enlarged by our differences.” education rooted in Jewish opportunity to learn about In this spirit, Rusonik values. Jewish Academy of other faiths, but also to build continued, “We are proud that Orlando is accredited by the bridges of understanding this program helps to promote Florida Council of Indepen- among their peers,” said Alan understanding, dialogue, dent Schools. Rusonik, head of school. unity and gives our students To learn more about Jewish When discussing interfaith and their peers tools to change Academy of Orlando, please dialogue, the Right Honorable the world.” visit: jewishacademyorlando. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Jewish Academy of Or- org or follow the school on former Chief Rabbi of the lando serves central Florida Facebook facebook.com/ United Kingdom, once said: students of all faiths from JewishAcademyOrlando. Altamonte Springs welcomes MEP students learning about the Torah. Jewish Academy of Orlando faith Education Program that Sheehy, worked to foster a fifth grade students partnered has been in place for 17 years. climate of peace among the the new Chabad Jewish Center with Muslim peers from Lead- The students meet at each children of the different Abra- ership Preparatory School and school to learn about each hamic faiths. Christian peers from Geneva other’s cultures and religions. The students spent the day School in a day of learning at The Multi-Faith Educa- in a variety of activities. They JAO. The event is the first of tion Program began when learned about the holidays and the schools’ three-part Multi- its founder, Louise Franklin played an Israel game. They Shown here (l-r): Mrs. Devorah Leah Dubov, Mrs. Mussie Bronstein and Rabbi Mendy Bronstein watch as Rabbi Sholom Dubov affixes the mezuzah on the door of the Chabad Jewish Center. Shabbat all day long On the second Friday of every month, Debbie Meitin races from one Shabbat ser- vice at a Jewish Pavilion assisted-living facility to another. On holidays, she comes prepared with extra stories and Judaic holiday items. All day, she diligently leads services and visits seniors as a volunteer for the Jewish Pavilion and then races home to get ready for her own Shabbat dinner and evening services at Temple Israel.