Jewish Council
of North Central Florida

Yom HaShoah - April 7 at Congregation B'nai Israel

The annual Holocaust Remembrance Program sponsored by the Jewish Council of North Central Florida will be held April 7, at 7 p.m. at Congregation B’nai Israel in Gainesville. This year’s speaker is Dr. Walter Ziffer. Dr. Ziffer is a well-known biblical scholar, theologian, and Holocaust survivor.

This will be the third time in 11 years that Dr. Ziffer has been the featured speaker at our Holocaust program. Dr. Ziffer has very close ties to the Gainesville community. Nine members of his family reside here, including Elizabeth Ziffer and Philip Schwartz, long-time members of Congregation B’nai Israel. Dr. Ziffer is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Mars Hill College near Asheville, NC.

Please Click Here for more information.

Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day) - April 14 at Westside Park

It seems like just yesterday that our community gathered at the Museum of Science to celebrate Israel’s 60th Birthday and here we are about to celebrate the 65th! Lucky for us, Israel just keeps getting better with age and we never get tired of celebrating her!

The Jewish Council of North Central Florida is proud to host the annual Israeli Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day) event for the Jewish community of North Central Florida. On Sunday, April 14, come to Gainesville’s Westside Park from noon to 3 p.m.for an afternoon of Israeli food, music and fun!
Guests will be serenaded by the Klezmer Katzs while feasting on home-made falafel and a variety of delicious salads, cookies and brownies. 

Children can play in the bounce house and get their faces painted and teens can play a game of “gamal” on the basketball court or join the scavenger hunt. Adults can play Israeli Bingo or join the softball game. Guests are also encouraged to bring their favorite board game or mah jonng group.

A suggested donation of $5 per person covers food and participation in any of the activities.

Please Click Here to for more information or to register for the Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day)and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day) community celebration.