Newspapers / The Charlotte Jewish News … / May 1, 1986, edition 1 / Page 5
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Page 5-THE NEWS-May, 1986 Jewish Social Services Bobbl Bernstein Honored By JSS % Thoughts From Adrienne Bobbi Bernstein holding carica ture of herself. On March 9, the members of the Social Services Commit tees met at the Marriott on Tyvola for a delicious lunch, good fellowship and to honor one of their own, Bobbi Bern stein. Bobbi retired as Chairper son of the Social Services Committee after spending 4Vt years in that position. During her tenure, the Committee be came known for its forward- going programs, with em phasis on the needs of the elderly, and for helping those people displaced from jobs to sharpen up their job-seeking skills. The Committee’s work has made a definite difference in the community. I Bobbi was honored with let ters of commendation, song and poetry, and presented with a caricature of herself. The caricature is the work of Gene Pajme, Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist with The Charlotte Observer. It is an excellent likeness, showing Bobbi’s success at raising money, her hobbies and, most of all, her smile that warms the hearts of those who see it. Bobbi was congratulated on her expertise as Chairperson by all present, and she, in turn, thanked those on the Commit tee who worked with her dur ing the past 4*/a years. it was a heart-warming afternoon and, obviously, the honoree was delighted with the proceedings. By Adrienne Rosenberg JSS Director Although it was not my place of birth, the majority of my childhood and college years was spent in a South Georgia community where segregation of races was still intact. Being Jewish and a member of the Conservative synagogue in town, meemt liv ing as a minority. The con gregation consist^ of approx imately 125 families, some from outlying conmiunities. There were three of us the same age: Harold Landey, Martin Miller and myself. We were in Hebrew School, public school, and Young Judea to gether. When I was in high school, there were never more than six Jewish students in the entire school. Each day began with the pledge of allegiance and a prayer over the public address system. When I was in high school (1957-61), students took turns giving the daily devo tional; on Fridays there were assemblies where clergy (never the Rabbi) would lead us in prayer. And it was not uncom mon when a revival was in town that the visiting minister would be invited to preach to the student body. Yes, I can tell you first hand what it meant to grow up in the Bible Belt of the “old” South. The isolation of being Jew ish in a non-Jewish environ ment was ever present. It is not that I experienced direct or overt anti-Semitism. On the contrary, although there were sometimes questions by my NOTE THIS — When Jewish Social Services moves into the new facili ty in mid-May, we will lose our 364-6594 phone number. There will be a main switchboard which will answer the Jewish Center at the phone number of 366-5007, current ly the Federation number. I hope this causes little confu sion for anyone. To ensure confidentiality, I ask you to please ask directly for the person you want to speak to; in that way the S^ial Services or Federation secretaries can take your message if Elaine and I are busy. — Adrienne Rosenberg ROBERTS TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. Telephone Services For Residence & Business. New Jacks A wiring. Key systems moved & installed. Additions & maintenance to existing systems, all maices. 16 Years Experience 847-5541 nedaioBt Adf nitment Bureaii, Inc. Licensed & Bonded Credit Collections 704/825-9388 Shelton S. Goidstein President P.O. Box 287 33 N Main Street Beimont.NC. 28012 .. If /t’ I ' V , Thom Powell “A Aftisrum of Gifts' 120 Perrin Place (Just off Providence Road) Free Gift Wrap and City Wide Delivery Phone 376-6501 peers, there were more anti- Catholic feelings than anti- Jewish ones. But, I would always be aware of growing up as a minority where my heritage and beliefs were essentially ig nored. I especisdly sensed this when I visited my relatives in New York City or attended Jewish conventions or camps. Then I realized there were en vironments which encouraged and accepted openly that Jewishness was vital. It wasn’t that the community I grew up in purposely down played Judaism; it was rather they put blinders on that another way of thinking existed. I am reminded of these ex periences when I think of a segment of our Jewish com- muriity, mainly the 13 Jewish persons residing in 6 non- Jewish nursing homes in Charlotte. Their average age is 77; only 2 of them can be classified as confused or senile. Only one is on the waiting list of the Blumenthal Jewish Home. The others will remain here because they and their families are not comfortable with the Blumenthal Home be ing 90 miles away. If these patients lived at the Blumenthal home, their Jew ishness would be accepted and acknowledged. The older one gets, the more one’s back ground sometimes has mean ing for him, although he would say he is not religious. There fore, because they are a minority where they reside, they need to rely on the Charlotte Jewish community to acknowledge who they are culturally. Unfortunately, we have a problem when it comes to these 13 persons and our Jewish community. Many of these persons were active in Jewish organizations when well; now, they are not a popular group for most people to visit and are further isolated because they can not leave where they reside to come to the Jewish conunun- ity. It is true they have family visits, and HaLailah gives them baskets at key Jewish holiday times; but on a regular basis, they are often forgotten. Because they are here and not at the Blumenthal Home, they are exposed to daily church programming and songs and a lack of understanding on the part of staff of their heritage and background. They are tru ly a minority where they are. We now have friendly visit ors for many of the home- bound; Rabbis and their vol unteers visit the sick and grieving. Rabbi Wilson goes to the Blumenthal Home each week to see our community members who are there. But I wish there were those who would regularly visit those in the nursing homes here. Many of you who read this may say to yourselves, “but it is so depressing,” ignoring the fact they may be in the same position someday. Many of you will say to yourselves how busy you are, so I can't mean YOU should volunttmr Iimob for this group. But, I AM ap pealing to all of you to let these older persons and their families know they count as Jewish persons in our com munity dspite the fact they are isolated from the broader community and its activities because of the aging process. We all need human contact and to know “who we are” counts. Otherwise, there is in dependence and segregation. Call me at 364-6594 or 366-5007 to volunteer some time. "Personal Care" can mean a lot of things... Has illness changed your life? Do you need some assistance with your own care or that of a loved one or friend? Professional Health Services, Inc. has the "Personal Touch" and the professional services. We provide nursing help to hospitals, nursing facilities, and private patients in their homes (short term or long term). We specialize in the care of the elderly and offer a SENIOR CmZENS DISCOUNT. Mention this ad and receive a FREE HOME VISIT to discuss the ways to make it easier to provide care in the home. For Information Call (704) 372-7438 24 Hours A Day Professional Health Services, Inc. Hawthorne Medicad Center Charlotte, North Carolina
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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May 1, 1986, edition 1
5
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