Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 43, NO. 22 FEBRUARY 1, 2019 26 SH’VAT, 5779 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ JNF Tree of Life Gala Feb. 19 Roz Fuchs Thad Seymour, Jr. Jewish National Fund will also held leadership roles with host the annual Tree of Life™ AIPAC, Congregation Ohev Award Gala at Congregation Shalom, and Jewish Family Ohev Shalom on Tuesday, Services. As founding chair Feb. 19, to honor Roz Fuchs and volunteer staff of the Je- and Thad Seymour, Jr. with rome J. Bornstein Leadership Tree of Life™ Awards for their Program, Fuchs mentored a dedication to the Orlando generation of leaders in the Christine DeSouza community, JNF, and Israel. area. She has received the Fifth-grade students pose with the olive tree before planting it in the center of the Gan Shel Chesed. The annual gala, will begin Byron Selber Young Leader- at 6 p.m. and feature heavy ship Award, Harriet Ginsburg hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and Woman of Choice Award, Isra- dessert. el Bonds Freedom Award, and A garden of kindness for all to enjoy “Both Roz and Thad are the Heritage Human Service incredible individuals and Award. An “idea person” with On the coldest morning of the year, Jan. the garden with herbs, bushes, trees and After the tree planting, fifth-grade have done so much for the Or- the skill and determination to 21, Jewish Academy of Orlando students, flowers following a blueprint designed by student Maya, told Heritage that even lando community,” said JNF carry them out, she most re- teachers, staff and parents braved the Paquet, who chose specific plants that though all the values brought forth were Orlando Board Co-President cently chaired the exhibition weather to attend the groundbreaking will provide a peaceful space for anyone great ideas, “the most important thing Ed Milgrim. “We are proud Kehillah: A History of Jewish ceremony for the Gan Shel Chesed, the who walks into the garden. There is even is to bring people together.” to honor them with The Tree Life in Greater Orlando. Kindness Garden. a “buddy bench” where friends can sit. Maya also pointed out that Tu B’ Sh’vat of Life™ Award at our annual “It is very special being The fifth grade class—under the guid- “This garden represents values to prac- and Martin Luther King Day were on Gala.” honored by JNF,” said Fuchs. ance of their teacher, Emily Watson, and tice: How to treat one another, remember the same day this year. The fact that Tu The Tree of Life™ Award is “From purchasing land and art teacher Penny Goldstein—chose to do to be kind and practice compassion,” B’Sh’vat and MLK Day were on the day a humanitarian award given planting trees to developing this project as their legacy to the school. said a fifth grader during the ceremony. of the dedication was not lost on any of in recognition of outstand- clean water solutions; from In the center of the garden, the fifth “We must learn to take care of this the students. “Darkness cannot drive ing community involvement, agricultural innovations to graders planted an olive tree—the tree garden like we must take care of each out darkness; only light can do that. dedication to the cause of sponsoring Team Israel in the of peace. The other grades also planted other,” stated one student. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love American-Israeli friendship, World Baseball Classic; from trees along the sidewalk for a total of Another student reminded all the can do that,” said King. This is exactly and devotion to the peace and providing an outstanding seven trees. school students that they are caretakers, the point the students wanted to make security of human life. Zionist learning experience at Within the next few weeks Colette not owners of this garden as it grows and with their garden. Honoree Fuchs was born AMHSI to preserving Israel’s Paquet Landscapers will finish planting provides beauty for future JAO students. See additional photo on page 8A. and raised in Orlando and she modern history through the has been dedicated to the Jew- heritage sites projects; Jewish ish community throughout National Fund’s vision and the her adult life. A past president number of lives touched and IAC is bridging two communities, of the Hebrew Day School and Jewish Federation, she has on page 15A bringing more Israeli culture to Orlando JNF By Christine DeSouza know Idit Lotringer very well. The Jewish Academy said She is the type of person who is they still needed her here, so New Sefer Torah Many people in the Central liked immediately because of arrangements were made for Florida Jewish community her energy, openness, friendli- the Lotringers to get their ness and kindness. She is also green cards and stay. In fact, at Torah Academy a real go-getter and is the three months ago, the family Orlando regional manager of became American citizens On Sunday Feb. 10, in a will be set up for children to the Israeli American Council, and hold dual citizenship. community-wide celebration, decorate flags and other Torah which opened a chapter here Lotringer no longer teaches Orlando Torah Academy will themed projects. Children will last August. Hebrew and Judaic Studies, be welcoming a brand new then have fun participating in “There are 20 offices in the but she still holds the position Sefer Torah/Torah Scroll. This the spirited Torah marching United States and we are the of Hebrew and Judaic Studies monumental project began musical parade. The Orlando 18th office to open!” Lotringer coordinator for the school. almost a year ago and was Torah Academy students will proclaimed with a big smile. Now she has opened the door undertaken by Dean Rabbi entertain you with a choir, She wasn’t always involved to a larger dream. Avraham Wachsman to honor and an elegant smorgasbord with the Council, which was “I have a dream to bring this and perpetuate the memory will be enjoyed by all. All are founded in 2007 in Los An- community to a different level, of his father who passed away welcome to attend this event geles. Lotringer, who has a combining Israeli-Americans last February. on Sunday, Feb. 10, from 1-3 passion for teaching, was part with Jewish-Americans.” Idit Lotringer “My father dedicated his p.m. at Orlando Torah Acad- of a program in Israel that In the words of Israeli- life to teaching Torah and emy, 8651 Commodity Circle, sent her here 10 years ago to American Council CEO Sho- follow her passion through the beauty of a life of Torah. Orlando 32819. A special be a Hebrew-Judaic Studies ham Nicolet and the chairman the several programs already Writing a new Torah in his website, www.OrlandoSefer- teacher at the Jewish Academy of the board, Adam Milstein, initiated to teach entire fami- memory is a fitting tribute to Torah.com, has been set up of Orlando. The job was to be “[IAC is] bringing bold ideas lies Israeli culture. “We are the his memory and a perpetua- to be a partner in writing this for only three years. She and and game-changing solutions only new chapter with all the tion of his legacy,” said Rabbi new Torah. her family were to return to to engage Israeli-Americans programs,” Lotringer stated. Wachsman. Israel. But that didn’t happen. as a living bridge between the The programs for young The day will be full of fes- “There are truly quality Jewish American community people include Keshet (ages tivities, beginning with the people here. It is a welcom- and the Israeli people.” 0-12); Eitanim (teens ages scribe completing the last ing community,” she said, It’s the perfect niche for few lines of the Torah. A mini and she didn’t want to leave. Lotringer, who continues to IAC on page 15A Kidstivities popup station PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 1, 2019 New innovation to engage Jewish teens It is well known, that the are bringing local teens with adequate time to an- submit an answer, the teens ishly on a fun creative way, hardest demographic to in- a new innovation free of swer. immediately receive a re- where they are, this project volve in Jewish life are teens. charge, called JText. Here’s JText has featured a range sponse telling them if they does just that.” After bar/bat mitzvah many how it works: of questions from “Which are correct or not. “JText is a simple concept, feel they have completed Every Monday and Thurs- country had the earliest With teens being on rich with Jewish values and their Jewish education, not day at 7 p.m, a Jewish Trivia settlement of Jews?” to their phones approximately thought. It’s a real win-win- to mention the many after multiple-choice question is “Who were the first set of 1,440 minutes a day, JText win,” said Chanshy Majesky school programs and extra sent out. twins in the Torah?” to is a great way to meet them of Chabad North Orlando curricular activities mak- Each participant re- “Which location celebrates where they are. As one JText “We were looking for a pro- ing it increasingly difficult sponds with the number the longest Shabbat?” Fol- player, put it, “Teens can put gram that could attract the for high school students to they believe is correct. The lowing the question, the text their time on their phones broad spectrum of teens that join for classes and Jewish 7th person to answer cor- includes 4 multiple-choice to good use by learning we engage with, and this one social events.