Category Archives: News
Armenian, Jewish Communities to Screen ‘Denial’ to Commemorate Armenian Genocide, Holocaust
As Armenians and Jews around world will gather on April 24th to commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day and Yom HaShoah, which happen to fall on the same day this year, the local Boca Raton Armenian and Jewish communities are happy to announce a joint program of remembrance with a screening of the film ‘Denial’ at Congregation B’nai Isreal, 2200 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431 on Sunday, April 23rd at 6:00pm.
Based on the book Denial: Holocaust History on Trial, DENIAL recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s (Academy Award® winner Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (BAFTA nominee Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof is on the defendant, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, led by Richard Rampton (Academy Award® nominee Tom Wilkinson), to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred.
The event is FREE and open to the public. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Brief remarks will be delivered by local Armenian and Jewish community leaders. The evening will conclude with a candlelit prayer service.
Please RSVP in advance by clicking on the image below.
About the organizers:
Armenian Genocide Commemoration, Inc (AGC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to observe and commemorate the Armenian Genocide of 1915 when the Ottoman Turkish Empire systematically annihilated 1.5 million Armenians through a campaign of ethnic cleansing, as well as raise public awareness of all genocides. AGC is responsible for planning and executing all Armenian Genocide related activities within Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Founded in 1989, Congregation B’Nai Israel is now considered one of the landmark reform congregations in the country. With nearly 1,000 families, a religious school serving over 600 students, and early childhood programs considered one of the finest in the nation, Congregation B’nai Israel, or CBI, is more than just a synagogue. It is a thriving and connected Jewish community, joyfully inspired by tradition and passionately committed to worship, study and repairing the world.
Vartanantz Day Celebrated in South Florida
Members of the Knights of Vartan, Hayasdan Lodge at St. David Armenian Church.
BOCA RATON, FL – Last month, the Knights of Vartan, Hayasdan Lodge, in collaboration with St. Mary & St. David Armenian Churches of South Florida, held their annual Vartanantz Day celebration. The celebration marks the anniversary of the historic Battle of Avarayr, where 10,000 Armenian troops battled 300,000 Persians in a fight to defend the Armenian homeland, the first Christian nation, from the invading Zoroastrian Persian army. Vartan Mamigonian, for whom the day and organization are named, was the prince of Armenia and military general who led the fight and died for his faith on the battlefield of Avarayr.
The Knights of Vartan program included a short video presentation about Vartanantz Day, remarks from John Kochkerian, dinner, desert, and singing of Armenian patriotic songs.
Taniel Koushakjian speaking to students at Palm Beach Central High School.
Earlier that day, Arsine Kaloustian, Chair of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration, Inc. and Editor of FLArmenians.com, and Taniel Koushakjian, Founder of FLArmenians.com, gave presentations on the Armenian Genocide and the importance of human rights education to students at Palm Beach Central High School.
Armenian Singer, Songwriter, and Cigar Mogul Avo Uvezian Dies at 91
Avo Uvezian, in his prime, photographed in the Dominican Republic in 1997. Photo Copyright Domingo Batista.
Armenian singer, songwriter, and cigar mogul Avo Uvezian passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017 at his home in Orlando, FL. He was 91.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Uvezian moved to New York City in 1947, and began a long musical career. However, Avo Uvezian made his name when he launched Avo cigars in 1988 after a distribution deal with Davidoff.
According to Cigar Afficianado, “Known in the cigar industry for his Avo brands and his sharp sense of style, Uvezian was long a vivacious part of the cigar industry, touring in support of his cigars even at 90 years old. A showman and cigar lover, it wasn’t uncommon to see Uvezian play piano at a cigar event while puffing on one of his cigars and waxing poetic about the joys of smoking.”
Avo Uvezian is survived by his wife, Nivia, his sons Robert, Jeffrey and Ronnie, and his daughter Karyn.
Florida Armenians 