The Charlotte Jewish News - February 2008 - Page 14
Newcomers
Welcome to the Raphaels
Andrew Raphael won
ders, “Why do people move
to South Florida when they
can move here?” When he
and his wife Christine were
teenagers, their parents
moved them to South
Florida from their respective
homes, Port Angeles, WA
for Christine and Queens for
Andrew. They met and mar
ried and established a life
there. Andrew had a very
well known and successful
house painting business
Christine was involved
Hebrew Cemetery Association
and
in the
equestrian community, where she
was able to ride many quality
Grand Prix dressage and jumper
horses as well as have access to
world-class trainers.
But when visiting some friends
who had moved to Charlotte, the
Raphaels were pleased to discover
the affordable cost of living and
the pleasant climate. “The people
are a lot friendlier,” Andrew says.
“And Florida’s seasons are cither
hot or really hot!” Although he
misses the Florida beaches, the
proximity to the mountains is an
advantage.
“The land here is so beautiful,”
Andrew and Christine Raphael
Christine, 28, sighs. “I really can’t
wait to take our new horse Obie
over the country side.” She feels
that with her experience in the
Florida equestrian world, she can
provide the local horse communi
ty with some valuable knowledge.
While it was difficult for
Andrew, 35, to leave his family
and friends, he looks forward to
meeting new people and establish
ing new relationships here.
When asked what they would
advise people wanting to move to
Charlotte, Christine can only say,
“It’s perfect!” But Andrew is more
hesitant. “I wouldn’t tell anyone
■anything,” he jokes. “I don’t want
to over-populate Charlotte!” O
J
Are you a newcomer to Charlotte?
Would you like to be featured in this new and growing section of The Charlotte
Jewish News? We are looking for people who have been here less than a year who
wouldn’t mind answering a few que.stions and sitting for a photograph.
Please call 704-944-6765 if you or someone you know would like to be our next
Newcomer feature family.
Are you the owner or propietor of a business
that would be of interest to newcomers?
Let them know who and where you are by advertising in the new
Newcomer’s Resources Guide.
r
By Lorrie Klemons, Publicity
On December 27 at 9:40 AM,
the Temple Israel family received
the long awaited joyful news of
the birth of Rabbi Faith and David
Cantor’s new baby daughter. An
email to its membership
announced that “Rabbi Faith and
David Cantor welcomed a baby
girl into their family on
Wednesday, December 26, 2007.
She weighed 7 lbs. and was 19-'/4”
long. Both mother and daughter
are fine.”
A mere five hours later, that joy
and happiness turned to heart
breaking grief and disbelief as
Rabbi Murray Ezring forwarded
the following email to his congre
gational family:
“In the words of Ecclesiastes:
‘“A time is set for everything,
A time for everything under the
heaven:
A time for dancing and a time
for wailing;
A time for birthing and a time
for dying;
A time for seeking and a time
for losing.’
“The first book of Samuel
reminds us that: ‘There is but one
step between me and death.’
“This morning, we notified the
congregation of our time of great
joy as Rabbi Faith and David
Cantor welcomed a beautiful,
healthy daughter into this world.
Unfortunately, the Cantor family
has also been forced to face a time
of pain and tragedy as they learned
of the untimely death of Rabbi
Cantor’s mother in a fatal automo
bile accident on her way here to
Charlotte. Today, our heartfelt
condolences go out to the Cantors
as we pray that God will grant
newcom:^s
Closest Hotel to Shalom Park
Hampton Inn & Suites
SoutfiPar£ at Pfiiffvps Tface
704-319-5700 • www.hamptongouthpark.com
SouthPark’s most prestigious hotel. Surrounded by retail shopping,
dinning, and entertainment venues. Features 124 beautifully
decorated guest rooms and suites. We offer special Bridal,
Shopping, and Couple’s Night Out Packages. Select rooms feature
balconies, patios, mini refrigerators, microwaves, whirlpools, and
garden bathtubs. Two room suites feature full refrigerators,
microwaves, sofa, recliner, end tables, and select suites have a
whirlpool spa and fireplace.
them comfort and solace during
this difficult time.”
I have been writing arti
cles for the Hebrew
Cemetery Association for
almost four years now. I
have written about death,
the process of dying,
mourning, bereavement,
9/11, the Virginia Tech
tragedy, and the fragility
of life in general. In the
face of today’s tragedy,
there are no words of comfort that
can ease Rabbi Cantor’s broken
heart. God willing, with the pas
sage of time, her faith and her
community’s support will help her
heal.
Ironically, as I write this article
on the very day of all of our sad
ness here in Charlotte (December
27, 2007), we join the rest of the
world in the mourning for
Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto who
was assassinated today as she
risked her life politicizing to bring
about peaceful order and democra
cy to the Middle East.
Life is short. And it is fragile
and unpredictable. Each one of us
should use these tragic events as a
wake up call to stop and smell the
roses. If there is someone you
haven’t hugged in a long
time...find the time to hug them.
If there is someone you owe an “I
love you” to ...tell them that you
Hebrew
Cemetery
Association
love them. If there is a friend
whose feelings you hurt, apolo
gize. If there’s a mitzvah
you keep putting off, do it
today. If there’s a charity
you’ve been meaning to
contribute to, sit down and
write that check. If there’s
a trip you’ve been dream
ing of, make your reserva
tion. If there’s a book you
just haven’t had time to
read...start reading it. If
you sense that the American way
of life is not what it used to be and
that there has to be a better way,
go see the movies “Kite Runner”
and “Charlie Wilson’s War” to
appreciate how good we have it
here in the USA.
Do something good with your
life. Let your actions of every day
living scream out to all who wit
ness your life that you are a men-
sch: a decent person who cares
about others, who cares about the
world. Because in the end, it’s
your good name that will become
your legacy.
For more information about
membership benefits, graves, pre
paid funeral costs, or endowment
donations, call Cemetery Director
Joe Kodsi at 704-364-4112 or
704-576-1859. Visit the website of
the Hebrew Cemetery Association
of Charlotte at www.hebrewceme-
tery.org. O
Annual Jewish Coffeehouse
Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 PM at
Izzy*s Cafe & Catering
5668-A International Dr.
There will be Jewish cuisine,
dancing, games, schmoozing, and
kibitzing. The entire Jewish com
munity is invited for a great fun
filled time of fellowship.
Chavurah without walls meets
the first Saturday of each month
for and Torah study without walls
meets the third Saturday of the
month. We have many other
impromptu small group get
togethers.
For more infonnation call 704-
236-6080.
Save the Date
30th Annual
Yiddish
Institute
August 14-17
Wildacres
Retreat
Celebrating 30
Years of Heimishe
Culture