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The Charlotte Jewish News - October 2013 - Page 17 The Hebrew Cemetery Annual Memorial Service Honors the Past, Embraces the Future By Kelly Reed Keeling On the morning of Sunday, September 8, over 300 people gathered at the Hebrew Cemetery on Statesville Avenue for the An nual Memorial Service. During the Days of Awe, it is a long-held Jewish tradition to go to the ceme tery. This year’s memorial service reflected the spirit of the ceme tery’s mission to Honor, Cele brate, and Embrace both those who have passed and those who mourn the passing of loved ones. Hebrew Cemetery Association President, Brian Yesowitch, wel comed all to the cemetery, and shared his appreciation for the hard work put forth by the grounds and construction crews in preparation for the service. Board Member Lorrie Klemons chaired the planning of the service. Elyse Bodenheimer, a CJDS graduate and current high school junior, opened the service with a reading of her poem, “The Voice.” Our community’s Jewish Girl Scout Troop #1240 led by Deborah Leighton greeted guests with a cold bottle of water and assisted with the tzedakah collection. At the service, Karen Knoble shared a lovely tribute to her fa ther-in-law. Shelly Bobrow, as she told how the level of Jewish com munity support and rituals during his passing years ago were the im petus for her increased commit ment to Judaism. Ms. Knoble noted the uniqueness of the He brew Cemetery, which is “inde pendent of any single Temple, yet it receives halakhic guidance from Rabbis representing multiple Jew ish traditions.” Ms. Knoble and her husband, Barry Bobrow, cre ated a legacy gift for the Hebrew Cemetery because “we feel that it is important to play a role in cre ating and caring for this sacred ground.” Past-president Kevin Levine presented Honorary Life Appoint ments to Nat Roberts and Hilbert Fuerstman, who have given over 40 years of service to the ceme tery. Brian Yesowitch also ex pressed appreciation to Norman Steinberger for starting a funeral assistance fund. One of the reasons the Annual Memorial service is so special is that it is the only time in the year that all the area’s clergy gather to gether to conduct a joint service. Rabbi Groner of Congregation Ohr Ha Torah led this year’s serv ice. In his sermon, the rabbi shared the teaching of Rabbi Is rael Baal Shemtov regarding “how the fulfillment of each crea ture is to help another.” This sen timent was illustrated through a story of a leaf, which gently falls, and in so doing, protects a snail from the burning sun. Further more, Rabbi Groner shared with the attendees the significance of the phrase, “T’hci Nishmto Tzru- rah bitzror hachaim - May his or her soul be bound in the bond of eternal life.” This teaching, said Rabbi Groner, reminds us that “[o]ne does not need to wait for death to live eternal life. As Jews we have this opportunity and mandate in our life time and that is by engaging in a life of Torah Left to right: Lori Levine Sklut, Eric Sklut, and Barbara Sklut and mitzvot.” The community read the Mourners Kaddish after the area’s rabbis shared the names of com munity members and their loved ones who passed in 5773. The service celebrated the richness each of these persons added to the tapestry of our lives and to the well-being of the world. Another cause for celebration is the near completion of the cemetery’s Memorial Building. Prior to the service. Building Co- Chairs, Bill Gorelick and Marc Silverman commended cemetery director, Sandra Goldman, for her tremendous efforts at fundraising, public relations, event planning, and construction coordination during the past year. Marc Silverman emphasized that everyone’s help still is re quired to complete the Memorial Building’s construction and the expansion. As Charlotte’s oldest Jewish institution, the Hebrew Cemetery welcomes your support. You do not need to be a member to participate in the campaign, and pledges are payable over five years. For every $1000 you pledge, you may honor a loved one or couple, living or deceased, and yourself be recognized as the contributor on the Memorial Wall. Bill Gorelick announced plans to develop landscapes for the Sil verman Entry Circle, the Blumen- thal Garden, and other sitting areas. Mr. Gorelick highlighted that “[the cemetery’s] expansion Local cletgy at the annual Memorial Service.Left to right: Cantor Andrew Bernard, Rabbi Jonathan Freirich, Rabbi Judy Schindler, Rabbi Murray Ezring, Rabbi Noam Raucher, Rabbi Chanoch Op- penheim, Rabbi Dr. Barbara Thiede, Rabbi Yossi Groner. is more than a building, but also will add approximately 1500 gravesites” to the property. By October, the dome of the building will be installed. Following the service, guests had the opportunity to walk down the brick pathway and tour the building. The focal point of the Memo rial Building’s Mindy Ellen Levine Chapel is the recently in stalled Beth El marble ark. For more information about honoring loved ones on the Me morial Wall, or to learn more about preplanning and member ship, please contact Sandra Goldman at director® hebrew- cemetery.org or 704-576-1859. Hebrew Cemetery of Greater Charlotte You Deserve to look beautiful 704-542-8686 Ditesheim COSMETIC SURGERY EVENT: “YOU DESERVE SOMETHING NICE” DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2013 TIME: 5-7 PM RSVP: to Jan, limited specials SPECIAL Promotions (at event only) Botox: $10/unlt (30 unit min) Filler: 3 syringes: $1100 (save $1100) All surgeries: special fall pricing
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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