At US Embassy Dedication, a Day for Marking History Rabbi David Kay
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Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A JTA News Briefs ........................ 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 42, NO. 37 MAY 18, 2018 4 SIVAN, 5778 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ Rabbi David Kay takes on new role Members of Congregation Ohev Shalom resoundingly approved the Board of Trust- ees’ recommendation to make Rabbi David Kay their religious leader, in a vote at the COS annual meeting. Rabbi Kay, who came to COS as assistant rabbi in 2004, had been serving as interim rabbi since Rabbi Aaron D. Rubinger decided last fall to semi-retire as Rabbi Emeri- tus. The April vote confirmed the congregation’s support for Rabbi Kay’s continuing as rabbi of COS. Rabbi Kay began his rab- binical training when he Rabbi David Kay was 40, an unusual path to the rabbinate at a time when a synagogue for the deaf in most of his classmates were suburban Chicago. He soon Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 recent college graduates. was asked to perform at a cof- Jared Kushner speaking while U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman looks on at the opening ceremony of the U.S. However, he saw his exten- fee house for deaf and hearing embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018. sive real-world experiences young adults, where he met as an advantage in shaping a member of the synagogue’s his responses as clergy. As a signing choir named Joanne very engaged Jewish youth Goldman—and they were At US embassy dedication, growing up in Chicago, he married five months later. had been determined to be a When the couple’s son, rabbi, but his path after col- Jonah, was a toddler, the a day for marking history lege took him first to a career family moved to New York as a musician and a position for Rabbi Kay to begin rab- By Sam Sokol paraded the national colors and Treasury Gaza, where at least 50 Palestinians died at an animal welfare organiza- binical training at Jewish Secretary Steve Mnuchin and First during violent clashes with the Israeli tion. He reconnected to the Theological Seminary. Two JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israeli leaders Daughter Ivanka Trump unveiled the military along the border. organized Jewish community and citizens responded with euphoria building’s seal carved into an outer wall. The West Bank and East Jerusalem when he was introduced to Kay on page 15A as the Trump administration moved the The crowd, which included both Chief were mostly quiet on Monday; outside U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem on Monday, Rabbis, the IDF Chief of Staff, the mayor the new embassy, dozens of demonstra- designating a pre-existing consular of Jerusalem and the head of the Jewish tors, including several Arab members of building as the official U.S. diplomatic Agency, stood and applauded for at least Knesset, held up signs calling Jerusalem Congratulations to mission to the Jewish State. half a minute after U.S. Ambassador to the capital of Palestine. Fourteen protest- Hundreds of revelers, many wearing Israel David Friedman welcomed them, in ers were arrested following skirmishes Trump’s signature red baseball caps com- a booming voice, “to the dedication and with police. Evan Dvorchik memorating the move, sat on bleachers opening of the United States Embassy in At the ceremony itself, meanwhile, outside the new embassy in Jerusalem’s Jerusalem, Israel.” local politicians vied with each other to Arnona neighborhood on Monday after- Inevitably, perhaps, the images of noon as an honor guard of U.S. Marines pageantry vied with darker news out of Embassy on page 14A Experiencing Shabbat in Crown Heights A few weeks ago a group Institute. This same time of 13 Central Floridians one year ago, Orlando resi- went to Crown Heights in dent Rhonda Des Islet went Brooklyn, New York, with on the trip and shared in Rabbi Yanky and Chanshy the Heritage that she was Majesky of The Chabad of grateful to experience the North Orlando to experience Crown Heights lifestyle by Shabbat in the Heights—a living among the Orthodox weekend trip sponsored by Jews for the weekend. the Rohr Jewish Learning “I have to admit, it felt good walking to and from the religious places that Shabbat weekend,” Des Islet wrote in Evan Dvorchik with UCF Coach Nick Toth. the article. “It reminded me of my ancestors and grandpar- By Christine DeSouza a long distance, typically ents who did the same thing Shown here (l-r): Arnie and Happy Frank and Susan and around 15 yards during punts, in Russia and Chicago.” Jerry Lewin light candles during the musical Havdalah Evan Dvorchik, son of Keith and 7–8 yards during field This trip was no different ceremony on Saturday night in the Ohelei Torah Ballroom. and Alison Dvorchik, has goals and extra point at- for those who immersed committed to the University tempts. themselves in life among their Labs, the offices of a Sofer (a who described her personal of Central Florida’s Knights Not only are Dvorchik’s fellow Jewish brothers and Scribe writing Torahs and Jewish journey in becoming football team as a long snap- standings as a long snapper sisters in the Heights. Tefilin), a tour of the Mikvah Shabbos observant; greetings per center. superior, so are his academic The Shabbaton brought and the gallery of local Chas- by Rabbi Lazar, Chief Rabbi of In January 2017, Heritage rankings: He is 33rd in his together several hundred sidic artist Michael Muchnick. Russia; and of course a deli- ran an article about Dvorchik class at Lake Mary Prep; has people from Chabad com- The Orlando group had the cious dinner. being named a top performer a GPA of 4.2; and an SAT/ACT munities around the world privilege to meet privately Dr. Daniel Layish was at the Rubio Long Snapping score of 1400. for an uplifting and genuine with the Rebbe’s personal sec- amazed on “so many levels” by Camp in Georgia. Dvorchik In a tweet, Dvorchik wrote, Shabbos experience. retary, Rabbi Leibel Groner, this first-time experience: “To was a junior in high school. “First of all, I want to thank The trip included a tour using the opportunity to walk down the street and say His trainer, Chris Rubio, my parents for their constant of 770—Chabad world head- get first-hand insight on the ‘Good Shabbos’ to everyone stated at that time that Evan quarters, and the choice to Rebbe’s life and teachings. you pass... to have so many op- was “snapping with a ton of Dvorchik on page 15A visit the world’s only Jewish One of the highlights of the tions for Kosher restaurants confidence as his ball hits children’s museum with ex- Shabbaton was the Saturday and so many Judaica stores... under .77 consistently.” hibits such as the six days of night Havdalah and concert to explore your spirituality... A long snapper is not a creation, Noah’s ark and all by the Belsofsky brothers fol- to share Shabbat Services and large alligator. The term re- the Jewish holidays coming to lowed by a lecture by former fers to a football center who life, a visit to the OK Kosher NBC producer Molly Resnick, Shabbat on page 15A can snap the football over PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, MAY 18, 2018 Art Night at Jewish Academy of Orlando our incredible faculty offered. The school was also excited to have author, illustrator, and animator Peter Raymundo in attendance. Children (and their parents!) learned to draw seahorses, hammerhead sharks, and even jellyfish. Many families spent a por- tion of the night helping to design our new mosaic mural that will decorate our hall to celebrate Jewish Academy of Orlando’s 40th anniver- sary. The mosaic mural was designed and inspired by South Florida glass artist and current grandmother in the school, Holly Odess. She was assisted by art teacher Penny Goldstein. The mosaic mural, made out of colored and textured glass Jewish Academy of Orlando students working on the new mosaic mural. and tiles, features five circles, each representing one of the The finished mosaic mural. Oh, what a night! Jewish made new friends. Then, it of an insect, crafting paper school’s core values—Jewish Academy of Orlando’s Spring was off to learn why art is such flowers to identify parts, Values, Academic Excellence, school and will also remember For more information Family Learning Night fo- an important part of learn- learning about non-New- Leadership, Focus on the that they took part in creat- about Jewish Academy of cused on Art Education, and ing-- it teaches motor skills, tonian fluids and polymers Whole Child, and Caring ing this beautiful piece of art. Orlando or to arrange a visit families from its community builds confidence, fosters by mixing slime, designing Community. Students, fami- The Family Learning Night to our school, please contact joined us for a myriad of ac- creativity, teaches persever- infinity tiles, or even paper lies and friends of the Jewish was well attended by current Amy Polacek, admissions tivities. The event started ance, and so much more! quilling as they did in Co- Academy of Orlando will be and future Jewish Academy coordinator, at apolacek@ with a pizza picnic on the Whether it was creating clay lonial times, everyone was reminded of these core values families and enjoyed by all in myjao.org or call 407-647- playground, where everyone bugs to identify the sections engaged in the experiences each time they walk in our attendance. 0713. Touro yearlong Learning Series comes to Greater Orlando The inaugural lecture, are so excited about our pursuing graduate, profes- tral Florida community.