The Charlotte Jewish News - February 2007 - Page 11
The Jewish Traveler
Hanukkah at Sea aboard The Pearl
Gary and I had a wonderful
experience this past Hanukkah. We
were invited to participate in the
inaugural sailing of Norwegian
Cruise Line’s new Norwegian
Pearl. After this initial sailing for
the travel industry, NCL invited us
to stay on this beautiful new ship.
Our four-night sailing cruised to
Key West and Cozumel, and also
had a full day at sea. This particu
lar cruise was during Hanukkah,
and 1 was very interested in seeing
what Hanukkah activities would
be onboard. I was not disappointed
at all.
Hanukkah was celebrated every
evening at sundown, and the atten
dance was amazing to me. There
was such a different assortment of
guests at every service - singles
and couples, young and old, and
lots of families with children. At
least fifty guests were there every
night for this delightful celebra
tion. Rabbi Ralph Kingsley, a
retired Reform rabbi from North
Miami Beach performed the
By Maxine Silverstein
'M-
m:
Rabbi Kingsley conducting Hanukkah services
The bowling alley on board
nightly Hanukkah service. All the
children in attendance were
involved. Rabbi Kingsley had dif
ferent prayers for each night. We
sang lots of different Hanukkah
songs. Afterwards potato latkes
and apple sauce were served. The
potato latkes were more like tater
tots but enjoyed by all. This was a
fantastic treat, and a great way to
celebrate Hanukkah aboard a fab
ulous cruise ship. What a wonder
ful way to combine Hanukkah
with a great family vacation at sea.
Your family can all be together for
this celebration and also enjoy an
incredible cruise experience.
Chances are you’ll treasure
everything about the Norwegian
Pearl. This big, new, beautiful ship
offers a world of amenities that
will wow you. Imagine twelve
unique restaurants, including
Asian dishes at Lotus Garden,
French at Le Bistro, tapas at
Mambos, steak and chops at
Cagney’s and so much more.
There’s even a bowling alley - the
very first one at sea with four
bowling lanes - and a rock climb
ing wall. We did not have a chance
to bowl, but all the guests that did
bowl thought it was lots of fun and
a very different cruise experience.
The entertainment is endless with
dazzling Broadway- and Vegas-
style shows onboard every night.
There is also an art gallery to help
you expand your horizons and an
Gary & Maxine at services
Internet cafe to help you keep in
touch. Whether you want to work
out or chill out there is also a great
health spa and fitness center with
the newest exercise equipment.
These new ships have something
for everyone and are like floating
mega hotels.
This turned out to be a wonder-
fiil relaxing vacation, and we also
got to experience fabulous nightly
Hanukkah services. This is a great
way to unite Hanukkah with a
cruise experience. It’s definitely
something I would like to do again
with my family.
^ Jewish Family Services ^
Fourth Annual Hanukkah Party
Jewish Family Services
celebrated Hanukkah with
Jewish residents of nurs
ing homes for the fourth
year in 2006. More than
75 people attended.
The Annual JFS
Hanukkah party means so
much to many of these
people. For some it is
among the few times they
leave their facilities when
they are not visiting a doc
tor’s office. For many oth
ers, it is one of only a
handful of opportunities
they have to be in a room
Bea Gibbs, Morris Kaye(z"l), and Jonathan
Carr light the candles on the Chanukah meno-
rah.
Jewish Family Services Annual Meetins
Standing Room Only
Lemer Hall was
filled to capacity and
beyond in honor of
Jewish Family
Services. Rabbi Ezring
formally dedicated the
new JFS space with a
mezuzah hanging cere
mony and community
members toured the
JFS space - inspecting
the enlarged Food
Pantry, offices and
Play Therapy space.
Karen Knoble, Board
President presided
over a brief Annual
Meeting, debuted JFS’ first video
and honored Alan Goldberg with a
“Lifetime Achievement Award”.
Next on the Agenda was Michael
Kahn, a Counselor, Life Coach
and Cinematherapist. Michael
guided guests through an interac
tive discussion on Jewish caretak
ing in films. He selected a wide
range of movies including:
surrounded by other Jewish peo
ple, celebrating a Jewish holiday
and eating Jewish food. All of the
guests enjoy reconnecting with
their Jewish roots and are so
appreciative of Bea Gibbs and the
Senior Outreach program at
Jewish Family Services.
Job Seekers
Support
Group
Temple Israel and Jewish
Family Services are co-sponsor-
ing a newly formed Job Seekers
Support Group, The first meeting
will be held on February 22 from
6-7:30. The group will meet in the
board room at Temple Israel. All
members of the Jewish communi
ty seeking employment or looking
to change jobs or careers are
invited to attend. >>
Life changes. Your » .-u t
insurance shouid keep up.
That’s our stand.
on
I can help you with your changing
insurance or financial needs.
(704) 846 9700
HOWARD EPSTEIN, MBA
10618-A PROVIDENCE RD
CHARLOTTE
howardepstein@aUstate.com
/lllstate.
You're in good henda
Subject to availabilit/ and qualifications. Insurance offered only with select companies.Allstate
Insurance Company, Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company,
and Allstate Life Insurance Company: Northbrook. Illinois 'C2006 Allstate Insurance Company.
Alan Goldberg, pictured here with his wife
Ruth, received the “Lifetime of Achievement
Award” at the JFS Annual Meeting.
Avalon, Keeping Up with the
Steins, Crossing Delancey, Life
is Beautiful and Driving Miss
Daisy. ^
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