Newspapers / The Charlotte Jewish News … / Dec. 1, 2007, edition 1 / Page 8
Part of The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
The Charlotte Jewish News -December 2007 - Page 8 The Hebrew Cemetery Association By Lorrie Klemons, Publicity It is painful to lose someone you love. It is even more painful to grieve by yourself, isolated and alone. One of the great things about being Jewish is our tradi tion. Just as there is a Jewish way of life, so too, is there a Jewish way of death. Our Judaism pro vides us with a pattern of practice and ritual for every aspect of death. Keenly sensitive to the needs of the bereaved, our tradi tions and rituals incorporate the utmost regard for the dying and the deepest concern for those left behind to mourn. When you lose someone you love you feel shock, despair, isola tion, anger, at times, even guilt. How does one cope with the bar rage of emotions that arise at such a catastrophic loss? How can one channel these emotions into posi tive and productive expressions of grief? Judaism teaches us to love life. That love is so much more pas sionate when we embrace the tra ditions and rituals that give it true meaning. When we embrace life in even the most mundane of activities, we bring ourselves to a higher spiritual level. In Judaism, our attitudes about death are shaped by our love of life.... for Judaism is a way life. So when we bury someone we love, our being takes on another whole existence as our Jewish rites of mourning become more for us the living than for the dead. Our Jewish practices of mourn ing serve to both honor the deceased and comfort the bereaved. While those who lay dying often lose their sense of identity, isolated by their very own American society, Jewish tradition recog nizes that death is part of everyday life and teaches us to face it with realism and hon esty. The tearing of a mourner’s garment or the wearing of a tom piece of black ribbon is a sign of the tear in our hearts as we pub licly confront the death of a loved one. We bury our dead in traditional white linen shrouds and plain pine coffins to remind us that death is the great equalizer. According to Rabbis Ron Isaacs and Kerry Olitzky, “In the democracy of Hebrew Cemetery Association death, all are equal, no matter what their social or economic sta tus.” It is the soul that ultimately defines the person, not the materi al possessions that one boasts. The Zohar states that “...That which con stitutes a real person is the soul, the rest being only garments which cover the inner essence.” As we celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah, we. remember the Divine intervention of our God and the miracles that He blessed us with ... particularly the Miracle of Light. At this sea son when we reflect on our histor ical victories over our oppressors, try and find a way to bring God into your life at a higher level to further elevate your soul. Allow Him to be both your Protector and your Partner as you face the mys teries and realities of living and ultimately of dying. Allow Him to be your rod and your staff as you seek the strength to overcome the challenges of life and the grief of death. Our Judaism teaches us to love God. At our times of greatest need, our faith can comfort and console. Your community can also offer you the strength you need. Find that strength by reaching out and joining hands with the other 700+ Charlottean Jews who together support the ideals of Jewish com munal life ... and death ... through their membership in the Hebrew Cemetery Association. Membership in the cemetery helps to elevate your soul by guarantee ing a holy and dignified resting place for all those who precede you in eternal life. For more infor mation about membership bene fits, graves, prepaid funeral costs, or endowment donations, call Cemetery Director Joe Kodsi at 704-364-4112. 0 Levine JCC Annual Meeting an Award- Filled Evening a(ak pyrncfci's SoulhPark Mall 6. Hie Arboretum . 704-366-7970 704-341 -1 t3B WWW rnm The Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center’s 21st annual meeting was held on October 9, 2007, and combined a review of past accomplishments with a bright vision for the future. Co-chaired by Linda Lepow and Anne Sinsheimer, the meeting opened with a D’var Torah by Larry Schwartz, Vice President of the LJCC. Outstanding LJCC volunteers were then honored with Leadership Appreciation Awards. Lori and Eric Sklut were honored with the President and Executive Director Award for their ongoing commitment, support, and invalu able advice to the LJCC. Larry Brown received the Volunteer of Simple Thoughts For A Happier New Year... Think freely. Practice patience. Smile ofien. Savor special moments, live God's message. Make new friends. Rediscover old ones. Tell those you love that you do. Feel deeply Forget trouble. Forpve an enemy Hope. Grow. Be crazy. Count your blessings. Observe miracles. Make them happen. Discard worry. Give. Give in. Trust enough to take. Pick some flowers. Share them. Keep a promise. Look for rainbows. Gaze at stars. See beauty everywhere. Work hard. Be wise. Try to understand. Take time for people. Make time for yourself Laugh heartily. Spread joy. Take a chance. Reach out. Let someone in. Try something new. Slow down. Be soft sometimes. Believe in yourself Trust others. See a sunrise. Listen to rain. Reminisce. Cry when you need to. Trust life. Have faith. Enjoy wonder. Comjvrt a jnend. Have good ideas. Make some mistakes. Learn from them. Celebrate life. Jan Michelson Si May your home be filled with happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year. If you are thinking about making a move this next year, please ^ve me a call. I can help you make a new beginning! Ord»n Rcider Spsctsli^ng In Since ISS5I 704.849.6654 704.904.7250'mAseo Dana Cohen, Lori Trapani, Larry Schwartz, and Terri Schoenhardt. the Year Award for all of the time, energy, and good humor he puts into coaching for Maccabi and youth athletics, as well as his com mitment to men’s softball. Program Service Awards were presented to Wilma Asrael for her work with the Arts Department, to Dana Cohen, Teri Schoenhardt, and Lori Trapani for the Aquatics Department, and to Lynn Edelstein, Steve Lepow, and Cheryl Slane for the Special Needs Department. Lauren Weiser received the “Next Generation” Award, and David Van Glish was acknowledged as the LJCC’s Leadership Charlotte Representative. Scott Menaker, Nominating Committee Chairperson, intro duced the new members of the Board of Directors: John Box, Kenny Kahn, Ellyn Gross, John Baron, and Stacey Slomka. The slate was elected as presented, including the Officers: Judy August - President, Larry Schwartz - Vice President, Michael Stier - Vice President, Michael Newman - Vice President, Peter Smul - Corresponding Secretary, Ken Colder - Recording Secretary, and Roni Fishkin - Past President. Out-going President Roni Fishkin spoke of the many accom plishments the LJCC leadership and staff have achieved, and thanked all involved for their efforts. She then introduced incoming President, Judy August. Judy thanked Roni for her leadership over the past two years and her ongoing commitment to the Organization. August spoke of her goals for the Center, where members contin ue to be dazzled by updated facili ties, where staff and lay leadership seek innovative programming ideas in order to reach out and Phil Berman. UCC Executive Director, Roni FLshkin, past president of UCC, and Eric and Lori Sklut. connect our entire Jewish popula tion, and where warm, personal customer service makes our mem bers feel genuinely valued. Executive Director Philip Berman spoke of the considerable invest ment the LJCC Board of Directors has made in our facilities this past year. Staff members Daphne Williams and Mark DiDonato were recognized for their LJCC service anniversaries, at 15 years and ten years, respectively. The entire LJCC staff was also recog nized by the Board for their out standing commitment and profes sionalism and the wonderful atmosphere they create on a daily basis.
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 1, 2007, edition 1
8
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75