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The Chariotte Jewish News - November 20ii - Page 20 Strengthening Jewish Identity New Focus of Jewish Agency Hebrew Cemetery Association By Amy Krakovitz The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) has been around as long as,Zionism. Growing out of the organi zations created at the First Zionist Congress, the origi nal Jewish Agency for Palestine was created in 1921 in order to facilitate Jewish immigration to Palestine. It continued in that mission for years, bringing Holocaust sur- Wvors, Jews from the soviet Union, and the Falash Mura from Ethiopia to Israel. in Israel. 6) Serving as first responder to crises in Israel and around the Jewish world. How are these things evident in Charlotte? Our community schlicha, Mor Greene, and schlichim from past years, were sent to us through our relationship with the Jewish Agency. The sum mer trips that are taken by our teens that connect Risa Miller, Ira and Stacey Slomka, Alan Hoffman, direc- them to other teens in tor general of JAFI, Dusty Hurst, JAFI’s local Manager of Israel, who then come to Community and Donor Relations, and Rachael Levine, visit US in Charlotte, is a Even today, those wish- JFGC Director of Community Relations and Israel Affairs, project of the Jewish ing to make aliyah utilize the services of the Jewish Agency. But the Jewish Agency is much more than that. Director General Alan Hoffman visited Charlotte in September and explained the mis sion of the Jewish Agency. “To inspire Jews throughout the world to connect with their peo ple, their heritage and land, and empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and a strong Israel.” JAFI accomplishes these goals in several ways through several pro grams. 1) Forging strong connections to Israel through a sequence of Israel experiences for teens and young adults - from Birthright’s short visit to Israel, to Masa’s live and learn experience from five months to a year. 2) Facilitating aliyah for those who choose to make Israel their home. 3) Engaging young Jews from Israel and around the world in social activism, infusing them with Jewish purpose and connect ing them to one another, while addressing the needs of \oilnerable populations in Israel. 4) Reconnecting Jews from the former Soviet Union to their Jewish roots from which they were forcibly separated through out 70 years of communist rule. 5) Rescuing Jews from coun tries of distress and settling them Agency. The many Birthright trips that our youth have been able to make come through JAFI. Those who have made aliyah use the Jewish Agency to facilitate their journey. Today the Jewish Agency for Israel has a presence in Shalom Park. Dusty Heist, JAFI’s Manager of Community and Donor Relations, is here in Charlotte and can be reached at . 704-554-2052 or DustyH @jafi.org. Inspire - Connect - Empower. The Jewish Agency for Israel partners with us to create Jewish history. By Lorrie Klemons, publicity Each year the New Year season brings with it a renewal of pur pose. As I sat in shul praying dur ing High Holidays services this year, I wondered the same thought that I do every year at this time. What is it that draws so many Jews to the synagogue for the hol idays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? What is it about these 2 holidays that like a magnet, attracts hundreds of persons to synagogue who would otherwise not be in attendance? I believe the holiday draws forth the individual’s need for a communal sense of purpose. For in being part of a community, one is connected. In being part of a communal service, one finds meaning and significance as a connection to God, The Almighty, is created. In addition to this com munal sense of purpose, the holi days promote individual accounta bility, as each worshipper can’t help but think about his/her fami ly, friends, community, country, and world at some point during the hours spent at temple. While the Rabbis lead us through the prayers and the Cantors’ melodic tunes draw us into inner reflection, one can’t help but be caught up in the moment of piety and spirituality, causing us to reach higher and higher to a greater level of being and purpose. Hundreds of our fellow Jews reached a higher level on October 2 when they attended the Hebrew Cemetery’s Annual Memorial Day. What draws 300 people to the cemetery on the Sunday morn ing between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur each year? It is all about being part of a community. Being part of something bigger than oneself Remembering those that came before us. Reaching higher and higher to a level of being and purpose and to a deeper connection to God. It’s hard to believe that the high holidays are behind us already and that before we know it, the days will be grower darker and colder as the prevailing winter season preys upon us. Brighten that darki- ness and strengthen the bonds that connect all Jews, both alive or dead, by becoming a member of the Hebrew Cemetery Association of Charlotte today. For more information about the Steinberger Funeral Assistance Fund which helps to fund burials for the indigent in our community, membership benefits, graves, pre paid funeral costs, endowments, and/or including the cemetery in your estate planning, contact Cemetery Director, Sandra Goldman at 704-576-1859 or 704- 944-6854 or director@ hebrew- cemetery.org. Visit the cemetery website at www.hebrewceme- tery.org or just come visit the cemetery for a personal tour. WuklM^ um a Happy Thanksgiving! Ijr Charlotte Jewish Preschool LEARN • GROW . CONNECT Full day Programs Ages 1 to Pre-K Halfday Programs Ages 2 to Pre-K 2012/2013 Open Enrollment Begins OPEN HOUSE Friday, January 13 • Meet the Director at 9:30am • School tours begin at 10:00am cjpkids.org • info@cjpkids.org 704-944-6777 facebook.com/The-Charlotte-Jewish-Preschool CJP is a partnership of Temple Beth El, Temple Israel and the Levinejewish Community Center.
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Nov. 1, 2011, edition 1
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