The Charlotte
5007 Providence Road
Chariotte. NC 28226
Address Correction Requested
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid .
Charlotte, NC
Permit No. 1208
JEWISH
Vol. 17No.11
Tishrei 5756 December 1995
CHARLOTTE
JEWISH
COMMUNITY
PILGRIMAGE TO
ISRAEL
The Shalom Park partners - Temple Beth El, Temple Israel, The Jew
ish Community Center and The Jewish Federation Of Greater Charlotte,
are pleased to announce their joint sponsorship of a Charlotte Jewish Com
munity Pilgrimage To Israel. This precedent setting venture marks the
first time all the Shalom Park partners have come together to jointly pro
mote an Israel trip. It indicates their commitment to, and understanding of
Israel as both a central and vital Jewish experience.
The Pilgrimage will be led by Rabbi James Bennett (Temple Beth
El), Rabbi Murray Ezring (Temple Israel) and Alan Feldman (JCC Ex
ecutive Director) and is scheduled to leave Charlotte on Sunday, June 9
and return on Thursday, June 20. Trip arrangements are being managed
by Charlotte’s own Mann Travels, with Israel coordination provided by
Da’at Travel Services (Jerusalem).
The trip is designed to reveal Israel as a vibrant center for the devel
opment of Jewish religion and culture and to provide opportunities for
families and individuals to personally touch the Land and the People of
Israel. The itinerary provides “connections” for l)oth the first time visitor
and for the those who have previously enjoyed the Israel experience. Some
trips “highlights” include:
• Shabbat at the Western Wall
• Family roots seminar at Beit Hat'futsot -
• The Museum of the Diaspora at Tel Aviv University
• Celebrations of Jerusalem 3CXX)
• Encounter the mystical city of Safed
• Study sessions with your own Rabbi
• Archaeological seminar in the Old City of Jerusalem
• Special programs with leaders of the Reform &’ Conservative religious
movements
• Dialogues with representatives of various political streams
in Israeli society
• Ascend Masada - understand its historical significance and its role as a
modem day symbol of Jewish defense.
• Travel the Golan Heights by jeep to gain first hand understanding
of the critical issues in peace talks between Israel and Syria
• Visit the ancient Roman amphitheater at Caesarea
• Special Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies at the Western Wall
• Visit Mount Scopus and Hebrew University campus
• Dig and uncover pottery from the Greek period, over 23(X) years ago
at Beit Guvrin Caves
• Travel to Haifa, Tiberias, the Dead Sea and more!
• Visit the ancient port city of Jaffa ^
•Experience the culture and night life of Tel Aviv, from the
Mediterranean beaches to Dizengoff Street
• Walk through the Banias Nature Reserve, one of the tributaries of the
Jordan River
• Visit Yemin Orde - a Youth Aliya Village
• A commemorative visit to Yad Vashem - the Museum and Menxnial of
the Holocaust
Please watch your mailbox for your full-color brochure about the
Charlotte Jewish Community Pilgrinuige to Israel. For more information
please contact either Alan Feldman at the JCC, 355-5007, or Shelly Mendel
or Maxine Silverstein at Mann Travels, 556-8311. Rabbis Bennett and
Ezring also invite you to speak with them.
1996 Federation
Campaign Goal Set At
$1.45 Million
The goal of the Jewish Federa
tion of Greater Charlotte’s 1996
campaign has been set at $1.45 mil
lion, the highest ever in the history
of the local community.
“It is an ambitious goal, more
than we’ve ever aimed for. But the
needs of Jews locally and through
out the world are greater than they
have ever been,” said Bill Gorelick,
campaign chair. “It is our responsi
bility to meet this challenge.”
The campaign’s theme - - “For
Ourselves, For Our Children, For Is
rael, Forever...” embodies our
hopes, goals, and dreams for Char
lotte, Israel and the worldwide Jew
ish community said Jill Newman,
campaign co-chair.
“Consistent with the Federation
mission, the money raised in 1996
will be allocated to a wick range of
services and programs which are
essential to support the continued
growth and demands of the Jewish
community here,and abroad,” she
said.
Among the more than 30 orga-
nizations and programs that re
ceived Federation funds last year
were the Jewish Community Cen
ter, The Blumenthal Jewish Home,
Jewish Family Services, and The
Anti-Defamation League.
“Campaign funds touch the
youngest to the oldest members of
our community and have a lasting
and positive impact on our lives as
Jews,” Gorelick said. “I hope that
everyone will take part in this all
important effort.”
The campaign calendar is be-
divisions almost completed the
telepledge divisions for the men will
begin their work in mid-December.
Women’s division activity will be
gin with the Lions Luncheon
($5,000 +) which is tentatively
scheduled for Thursday, January
4th. The Women’s Pacesetter
($1,250 - $3,999) and $365 event
Bill Gorelick, Campaign Chair and Jiti Newman, Campaign Co-Chair
ginning to take shape with several
key events scheduled for the up
coming months. With solicitations
in the Men’s Major Gifts ($10,(XX)
+) and Chazak ($3,600 - $9,999)
is planned for January 23rd.
The campaign will culminate
with Super Sunday which is sched
uled for Sunday, February 25th.
Temple
Israel
Celebrates
Centennial
Temple Israel, the oldest and
largest Conservative congregation
in the Carolinas, concluded the
year-long celebration of its l(X)th
anniversary in November. The
month’s celebrations were high
lighted by the Centennial Luski
Family Concert featuring TAMID,
Israeli Army performers. The con
cert, attended by hundreds of
Charlotteans, presented musical se
lections representing the best of
Jewish folk music, hazanut
(cantonal music), modem Israeli
music and Yiddish melodies. The
concert was greatly enjoyed by all
who attended.
Temple Israel’s Shabbat Gala
Weekend took place November 17
and 15. The Temple Israel family
was joined by dignitaries who rep
resent the major arms of the Con
servative Movement. Speakers for
the weekend included Mr. Justin
Weininger, President of the South
east Region of the United Syna
gogue, Rabbi Jerome Epstein, the
Executive Vice-President and
spokesperson for the United Syna
gogue of America; and Rabbi
Morton Leifman, Vice-Chancellor
of the Jewish Theological Seminary
of America, the central institution
of the Conservative Movement.
Shabbat services were attended
by local dignitaries and officials
including Lloyd Scher, County
Commissioner, and A1 Rousso, the
newly elected City Councilman.
During the course of services, proc
lamations were read from Represen
tative Sue Myrick, Governor James
Hunt aiKl President of the United
States, Bill Clinton, honoring
Temple Israel on this very special
Shabbat.
The weekend’s festivities be
gan with a l)eautiful Shabbat din
ner attended by more than 200
members of the Temple Israel fam-
See Temple Israel pagel4
Royal Insurance To
Sponsor "Celebrate
The Children”
Tom
Chapln-
In Concert
m
The Jewish Community Center of
Charlotte is proud to announce that
Royal Insurance will sponsor the
"Celebrate the Children" inaugural
event - Tom Chapin in Concert-
Januaiy 7. at Spirit Square.
See story on page 20