The Chevra Kadisha, founded in 1918, had this annual dinner for members at the home of Rabbi Morris Skop (standing in back, 4th from the right), 1942.
Organized by Morris Wittenstein, the group’s volunteers have fulfilled the sacred task of preparing a body for burial. It is considered a very righteous act since the person being helped cannot thank you. Families of the deceased often make a donation to the Chevra Kadisha, and the funds are distributed to charity. Today, the Chevra Kadisha has 20 members and Dean Faracchio serves as chairman.
Archives of Congregation Ohev Shalom
Leadership at a year-end gathering for Orlando men’s chapter of B’nai B’rith, c. 1955.
Founded in New York City in 1843, B’nai B’rith is the oldest Jewish service organization in the world, with men’s lodges, women’s chapters and youth affiliates throughout the world. It sponsors Jewish education, supports hospitals, provides vocational guidance, and carries on a multifaceted program of community service and welfare. Some organizations that have been spun off from B’nai B’rith are the Anti- Defamation League and Hillel. In Orlando, B’nai B’rith men’s chapter was organized in 1926 and sponsored an annual Christmas dinner for orphans in the Orange County Parental Home. During WWII, they sent packages overseas to GIs to raise morale. Front L-R: Barney Cohen, Arthur Pariser, Bernie Miller, Milton Bricklin, unknown, George Miller, Robert Geller, Sheldon Wittenstein; back L-R: Al Emoff, unknown, Sid Gluckman, unknown, Ben Glazer and Irv ”Bubba” Lippton
Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando
Jewish War Veterans Maurice Salamy, Hy Lieberman, Joe Skurow and Morris Ziebrak conduct the Memorial Day services at Ohev Shalom cemetery, 1990.
Another early local chapter of a national organization was the Jewish War Veterans. Orlando’s Jews have served to defend democracy and freedoms of the United States since the Spanish American War.In 1939, 16 Jewish War veterans began the Orlando JWV Post. In 1965, it was named the Harvey M. Albertson Post 759. Albertson was an active veteran who died at a young age. A Ladies Auxiliary has hosted breakfasts for Jewish Navy recruits.
Collections of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, originated by Marcia Jo Zerivitz, LHD, Founding Executive Director
Corene Bear (second from right with gavel) hands the gavel and Hadassah presidency over to Dorothy Morrell (second from left) as other Hadassah officers look on; others L-R: Ethel Bork, Ruth Esther Wittenstein, Dorothy Brenner, and Rose Grossman, May 1948.
The organizational meeting of Orlando Hadassah took place in 1943 in Rachel Skop’s backyard on Osceola Drive with 42 women attending. The first president was Edy Wolf and charter members included Mary Safer, Corene Bear and Dorothy Morrell. Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America was founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold and others to raise funds for community programs and health initiatives in Palestine (which became Israel in 1948), including the Hadassah Medical Center. Members are advocates on behalf of women’s rights, religious autonomy and US-Israel diplomacy.
Heritage Florida Jewish News
Incoming Hadassah board, 1996.
Now in its fourth generation of Jewish women philanthropists, Hadassah in Orlando maintains a strong presence. With a membership of more than 850, Orlando’s chapter is strongly committed to raising funds for the Hadassah Medical Organization. Led by Emily Rothenberg, theRishona Chaverot Chapter merged with the Sabra Chapter. They hold monthly meetings at Ohev Shalom and social Ima Dinners. A Cruise and Schmooze organized by longtime supporter Sheila Greenspoon was attended in 2016. Front L-R: Susan Livingstone, Judith Cohen, Melinda Helbraun, Janie Unger, Marcie Katzen, Sheila Greenspoon; back L-R: Installing officer and President Florida Central Region Betty Shalett, Susan Shapiro, Trish Cooper and Hilary Milman
Heritage Florida Jewish News
Dr. Albert Sabin (standing), developer of the oral polio vaccine, was the guest speaker for the Israel Bonds Medical Division Dinner when Dr. Mickey Shapiro (left) was honored by Israel Bonds. Wives Sylvia Sabin (second from left) and Marilyn Shapiro joined them, 1978.
Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds underwrites securities issued by the State of Israel in the United States. The Bonds enterprise, launched in 1951, ranks among Israel’s most valued economic and strategic resources. Orlando had a very early presence in Israel Bonds. Abe O. Wise became the chairman of the first Israel Bonds dinner held in Orlando in the 1950s. Proceeds from the sale of Israel bonds have played a decisive role in Israel’s rapid evolution into a groundbreaking, global leader in hightech, greentech and biotech.
Marcia Jo Zerivitz
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) socials include their spaghetti dinner, c. 1999.
For more than 80 years, BBYO has provided exceptional identity enrichment and leadership development experiences for hundreds of thousands of Jewish teens. Orlando’s Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) and B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG), both B’nai B’rith youth organizations, replaced the 101 Club established in 1934 by Orlando High School’s Jewish students who were often excluded from school social clubs. National leaders have risen from its ranks. The BBYO North Florida Region is based in Orlando today, serving Orlando, Naples, Sarasota and Tampa. L-R: Allison Peckett, Aly Kane, Erika Kane, Nick Farber and Lindsay Maizel; back: Lander Gold
BBYO Orlando
For the ORT DAY membership campaign, president Marcia Kerstein [Zerivitz], aided by Adele Ring, is on the ladder installing the “ORT Ave” sign as Altamonte Springs Mayor Norman Floyd (right) looks on, 1973.
In 1880, a group of Russian Jews started a fund called, “Obschestvo Remeslenovo zemledelcheskovo Truda,” which translates into the “Society for Trades and Agricultural Labor,” to provide employable skills to help lift Jews out of crushing poverty. Throughout its history, ORT’s trade schools have spanned more than 100countries, including the US and Israel. The first Orlando chapter started in 1964 and for a while had an office on Lee Road. The Florida Region, the largest of ORT America, is comprised of 5,500 ORTists and more than 30 chapters throughout the state that continue to raise funds to support the global vocational schools program.
Collections of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, originated by Marcia Jo Zerivitz, LHD, Founding Executive Director
Jewish National Fund (JNF) Young Leadership Missions to Israel educate how JNF funds are utilized and strengthen ties with Israel, 1997.
JNF began in 1901 to reestablish a homeland in Israel, collecting coins in iconic blue boxes and planting trees in Israel. Annual dinner events began in Orlando c. 1987. From 2000–2012, campaign consultant Lois Tannenbaum conducted a year-round program; she is succeeded by Laura Abramson. Orlando’s current support is highlighted by the volunteer leadership of Bruce Gould. JNF’s National Conference was held in Orlando in 2012. Two generations of two Orlando families were honored: Sy and Debra Israel with Mark and Caryn Israel and Dick and Louise Weiner with Ben and Maura Weiner. L-R: Bruce Gould, Jason Shrago, Sheryl Singer (Tampa), Barry Kalmanson and Jason Toll
Heritage Florida Jewish News