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🌱 Patch AM: Meet the new rabbi shaping Jewish learning across Orlando neighborhoods

You won't want to miss Brunch Buffet with Santa & Mrs. Claus on the Orlando Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Orlando? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Meet the new rabbi shaping Jewish learning across Orlando neighborhoods
  • How much “wasteful” spending did state reviewers find in Orlando?
  • Why another Epic Universe coaster rider is now suing Universal Orlando

Also on today's calendar: Brunch Buffet with Santa & Mrs. Claus and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Variable cloudiness, with a high of 81 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Saturday: Sunny, nice and less humid, temps: high: 77, low: 58.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 79 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. JOIN welcomes Rabbi Sendy Freud as new Director of Impact (heritagefl.com) — Orlando’s Jewish community is welcoming Rabbi Sendy Freud as the new Director of Impact for the Jewish Outreach Initiative of Orlando, based on Edgewater Drive. He’ll help grow local learning programs, collaborate with Shalom Orlando on a January Q&A event, and support popular offerings like JOIN Orlando’s men’s programming and gatherings at the Orlando Torah Center.
   

2. Florida CFO wants local governments to show you the money—Here's How (wftv.com) — Orlando taxpayers are being told $22 million in local spending has been flagged as potentially wasteful, as Florida’s CFO pushes new transparency rules for city and county budgets. His plan would require easy-to-find online budgets, advance notice before votes, and annual lists of possible cuts, while banning DEI-based contract awards—changes that could significantly reshape how Orlando and Orange County share financial details with you.
   

3. New lawsuit alleges Epic Universe visitor injured on Stardust Racers roller coaster (clickorlando.com) — A North Carolina visitor is suing Universal Orlando’s parent company, claiming she suffered severe, lasting injuries after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe in Orlando during preview days. Her lawsuit comes shortly after investigators ruled a separate rider’s death on the same coaster accidental, and follows another injury claim that Universal quietly settled earlier this year.
   

4. Orlando firefighter accused of secretly tracking ex may face 2nd-degree felony under new Florida law (wftv.com) — An Orlando firefighter is on unpaid leave after being arrested in Cocoa, where police say he admitted placing a GPS tracker on an ex-girlfriend’s car, potentially violating Florida’s strengthened anti-stalking law. The case highlights new felony penalties for secretly tracking someone, especially in domestic violence situations, and follows an earlier, unrelated arrest involving the same firefighter.
   

5. Kimberley Mills to change plea in murder, abuse charges in 10-year-old son's death (fox35orlando.com) — Orlando-area readers should know a Lake County mother accused in her 10-year-old son’s death is scheduled to change her plea and be sentenced at a January 14 hearing. Court records outline severe abuse allegations investigated by Tavares police and handled in Lake County court, following the boy’s death at an area hospital earlier this year.
   

📸 Around Orlando

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Central Florida retail center sells for $18.1 million —Missy Hurley Read on Patch
  • Good morning and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who showed up/contributed to our Open House on December 13.
    Thank you so much everyone for making it a success - we raised over $1200 and are so grateful for the community's support. We know all of you have… (Nextdoor NE Lake Pickett Road)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A dog who went missing in Orlando, FL, has been safely reunited with their family after 33 minutes. Message from Finder: "Found dog, very friendly… (Nextdoor Kaley/Bumby)
  • NBC Universal posted a job opening for Assistant Manager, Facilities - Hotel & Water Quality - Universal Kids Resort in Orlando. Apply here.
  • Lockheed Martin Corporation posted a job opening for Electrical Mechanical Optical Tester / Orlando, FL / 2ndShift in Orlando. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Orlando here.

Ok Orlando! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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