Federation, JCC ink pact



The takeover of JCC Suncoast by the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties became official Thursday evening, June 13, when two documents were signed to place the JCC under control of the Federation. It was the culmination of months of discussions and in time officials expect new programs and services will be offered. But for the immediate future, most […]

‘Princesses’ joins the Bravo reality lineup – and boycott efforts begin



Princesses: Long Island, the new reality show on Bravo, appears to be as bad for the Jews as we had feared. Like some other cultural gems on the network, such as the Real Housewives franchise and Shahs of Sunset, the new offering centers on a few spunky, wealthy women who live to shop, date and throw tantrums. These princesses live […]

Karen Reich elected Federation president



Karen Reich of St. Petersburg has been elected as the new president of the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties. She will officially take over duties as president July 1 from Sheldon Scheinert, who will remain on the board and serve as chair of the nominating committee. At the new Federation Leadership Council meeting where she was elected, Reich […]

New Gulf Coast CEO heads here from Oregon



The new president/CEO of Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services was not looking for a job when the opportunity here came along, but she is glad to be coming on board. Tia Gray is already in the process of purchasing a home in St. Petersburg and will begin her new job on July 15. “I am thrilled to join […]

Menorah Manor junior-senior prom is one for the ages



A junior-senior prom is one of those milestone events that creates lifelong memories. Often, the girl feels giddy, excited to put on that special dress, have her hair done just right and add some nice jewelry – doing her best to impress her date. The guy is usually nervous but trying to hide that, wondering what to wear, what his […]

Just a nosh…



WHO okays Israeli-developed circumcision device that could help control AIDS The World Health Organization approved an Israelideveloped non-surgical circumcision device that could soon be used throughout Africa to help control AIDS. PrePex, a disposable and easy-to-use device made of rubber bands that obviates the need for anesthesia, stitches or a sterile setting, received WHO approval on Friday June 14, The […]

World’s oldest Jew, 113, dies in NYC



(JTA) — Evelyn Kozak, the world’s oldest Jewish person, died in New York at the age of 113. Kozak, who was also the world’s seventh oldest person, died June 11, a day after having a heart attack. She would have been 114 in August. She was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City in 1899, […]

Nearly 70 years after liberation, Holocaust memorials still proliferate



NEW YORK – No earth was moved last month at the groundbreaking of one of the nation’s newest Holocaust memorials. Instead, the gatherers stood silently, symbolic shovels in hand, on the immaculate lawn where the privately funded $400,000 monument will soon rise. A succession of speakers delivered somber homilies remembering one of the darkest chapters in human history. “It was […]

‘Bubbes & bubbelahs’ to come together for reading event June 23



Families in the community with children of all ages are invited to attend “Bubbes & Bubbelahs,” a reading program, at Philip Benjamin Tower in St. Petersburg on Sunday, June 23 from 1-3 p.m. The program will feature the reading of a special PJ Library book called Say Hello, Lily that teaches the Jewish value of v’hadarta p’nei zaken, or respect […]

Putin: Books transfer should put Lubavitch dispute to rest



Russian President Vladimir Putin said the transfer of Jewish texts claimed by the Chabad movement to a newly opened Jewish museum should put to rest a dispute with the movement and the United States. The move should “put an end to this problem once and for all.” the Reuters news agency quoted Putin as saying, while touring the new museum. […]