Page 6-THE NEWS-January, 1984
THE CHARLOTTE JEWISH NEWS
Published monthly by:
Charlotte Jewish Federation
Foundation of Charlotte Jewish Community Jewish Community Center
Marvin Bienstock, Director Martin Schneer, Director
Charlotte Helvew Academy
Eleanor Weinglass. Director
Editors Ann Langman & Rita Mond
Assoc. Editor Kevin Schwartz
Advertising Blanche Yarus
Copy deadline the 10th of each month
P.O. Box 220188, Charlotte, N.C. 28222
Thm mppmmrmmcm ot m4vmrttmimf la Thm JVmm *#• mat cammtHmtm m kMmkrmtk
From The Desk of Marty Schneer
— Executive Director
Editorial
Happy Birthday
CJN
This issue of the “CJN” marks the beginning of our 6th
year of publication. That’s 5 years of challenge, growth
and new experiences. That’s 55 issues to achieve what we
hope is the instrument to keep our community aware of
what is happening in the Jewish community not only in
Charlotte, but around the world. We think this has been
a successful attempt in that respect.
Glancing back to our first issue, all 8 pages of it, one
can readily see the improvement in format, information,
quality of photographs, etc. Subsidized by the Federation,
Jewish Community Center, Hebrew Academy, and later
The Foundation, the paper now has increased its adver
tising and it is hoped that eventually the revenue from
them will cover all expenses as long as there remains a
volunteer staff.
We have also been most fortunate to have been recogniz
ed by the GAF as an ‘'outstanding small city” newspaper
by having received 4 public relations awards. Our paper
has indeed grown in recognition. It ha? also grown in size
• in September it was 24 pages.
During the past 5 years we have reported both good and
bad news. Locally we wrote about the beginnings of the
Foundation; the many planning sessions, the votes of the
various institutions, the architectural plans, the ground
breaking. We will continue to keep you posted on the mon
thly building developments. We painfully reported about
the burning of the Jewish Community Center, along with
everything else the “CJN” lost all its files, countless
photos, equipment, etc. We have published class schedules
for the JCC, made announcements of musical, dramatic,
educational and other events. We have featured guest col
umnists, holiday information for young and old, and even
given space for book reviews and recipes. As they say
“something for everybody.”
This paper has been “our baby.” We have nurtured it
and seen it grow. Now that it celebrates its 5th birthday
it is no longer a “baby,” but a “young child.” And it will
continue to grow, as long as you, our readers, want it to
and as long as we get the continued support of our gracious
advertisers, our contributing writers, and hopefully, more
volunteers to serve on our staff.
Unsung Heroes
Generosity - fulfillment of the mitzvah of Tzedakah is
a relative concept. It is not the amount of the gift, but
the honest expression of sharing in proportion to one’s
means that define a donor’s generosity.
That large segment Of our community has come forward
to make “dreams come true” in so many ways during the
past months. The positives that have b^n derived are the
exhilarating groundbreaking for our new campus...the suc
cess of Super Sunday...the continued support of the JCC...a
successful Israel Bonds Drive...the outstanding Academy
Gala...the support of our synagogues...and the daily mitz-
vahs in our community that remain unsung (for the
greatest form of Tzedakah is the one that is anonymous).
It is you, the generous members of our community, who
truly give from your hearts to whom we are all forever in
debted. To all of you who have given, and all who are yet
to give...THANK YOU.
CANDLELIGHTING
Jan. 6 - 5:08 p.m.
Jan. 13 - 5:14 p.m.
H If ■
Jan. 20 - 5:21 p.m.
JL I
Jan. 27 - 5:28 p.m.
You will find in this issue’s
centerfold, a complete listing
of JCC winter classes and pro
grams. The schedule reflects
an outgrowth of ideas and
discussions held between staff
and our program committees.
Responding to the expressed
needs of our lay leadership we
have tried to initiate new pro
grams that will serve as a
springboard for future expan
sion. Dance and drama should
be singled out in this regard,
as well as Jewish family Life
Education which wiU com
mence in February.
The key to the success of
“J” programming is really
quite simple. Firstly, we need
your support in terms of par
ticipation, enabling us to slow
ly develop full-fledged depart
ments. For instance, in our
dance program our goal is to
offer various levels of instruc
tion so that a youngster or
adult can progress through
our program. TMs support will.
facilitate our attracting and
retaining qualified parttime
staff, who can be confident in
our ability to fill classes.
Secondly, I want to reiterate
the importance of conmiittee
involvement in this process.
As our prime constituency,
you the JCC member must
provide the staff with ongoing
feedback. Our committee
structure encourages this
dialogue, and involves
members in the decision
making and planning process.
We have felt for some time
now that the “J” should begin
Marty Schneer
to progr^ activities for
young ti^s. Therefore, our
new Youth Director Dana
Klein, is forming a teen/tween
committee which will meet in
the next few weeks. We are
happy to report that Mike Van
Glish has agreed to chair our
new expanded Physical
Education Committee, which
is responsible for a mjrriad of
present and projected recrea
tional activities.
Again this month, I find
myself the purveyor of sad
news. Mary Hogan, longtime
Administrative Assistant and
Bookkeeper at the JCC retired
on December 15. In the short
time we have worked together,
it's become apparent how
much Mary has meant to the
“J” over the years. Her loyal
ty and dedication to the
Center stands as an example
worthy of our admiration,
respect and sincere apprecia
tion. Speaking on behc^ of the
Board and staff, I would like
to wish Mary all the very best
in the years to come.
Many of you who read the
Charlotte Jewish News are not
members of the JCC. In the
next few weeks some of you
will be contacted by JCC
volunteers asking that you
consider joining the Center.
We hope that you recognize
the role the “J” plays in
strengthening Jewish identity,
supporting Jewish family life,
and providing a full range of
conmiunity services. In these
ways the “Center” builds the
Jewish conmiunity. Here in
Charlotte we are in the midst
of that building process, isn't
it time you join^ us?
Between You and Me
By Boris Smolar
(Editor-in-chief emeritus, J.T.A.)
(Copyright 1983,)
(Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
ELECTION RESTRICTIONS:
Jewish non-profit organiza
tions which, like all non-profit
organizations, have tax ex
empt status, are forbidden by
Internal Revenue regulations
to influence election cam
paigns of candidates for Presi
dency or any political cam
paign on behalf of any can
didate for public office. An
organized group participating
or intervening, Meetly or in
directly, in a political cam
paign in behalf of, or in opposi
tion to, any candidate is liable
to lose its tax exempt status.
Jewish Federations, com-
mimity councils, and organiza
tions in the tax exempt
category scrupulously avoid
any activity in behalf of or in
opposition to any candidates
seeking nominations for the
Presidency. The prohibited ac
tivity includes, among other
things, the naming of awards
or giving citations to political
candidates during or im
mediately prior to a campaign
for public office. They also pro
scribe the holding of public
functions in honor of such can
didates; the use of the organi
zation’s mailing list in behalf
of a political candidate, or loan
of such lists; and the use of the
organization’s letterhead, fac
ilities, or fund-raising
machinery.
Jewish leaders, acting in
their organizational capacity,
past or present, usually refrain
from activity regarding any
candidate seeking public o^
fice. They wish to avoid giving
any impression that the
organization with which they
4600=6
are affiliated is committed to
a political party or candidate, i
However, neither they nor I
their organizations are re- J
stricted by Internal Revenue ■
Service from speakin£r or act- -
ing on public issues of concern
to the Jewish community,
even when such conduct may
be interpreted as approval or
criticism of positions of can
didates for political office.
JEWISH POLICY: As in the
past, major Jewish organiza
tions will continue in the
Presidential elections this year
their policy of abstaining fi-om
taking a position with regard
to candidates running for the
White House. This will apply":
also to the candidacy of Jesse
Jackson who has a record of
espousing positions and mak
ing statements on issues of
vital interest to the Jewish
community that many ober-
vers consider insensitive and
troubling, particularly his
reported statements on the
Middle East and on Black-
Jewish relations in the United
States.
Jackson did not hesitate to
meet with a group of Jewish
leaders soon after announcing
his candidacy last month as a
Democratic Party Presidential
hopeful. There was nothing
new about his pro-Arab stand.
It was displayed publicly in a
press photograph showing
him embracing PLO chief
Yasir Arafat during a visit to
the Middle East, when Arafat
was still the uncontested
leader of the PLO. Jackson
had been hanmiering for U.S.
recognition of the PLO
against the policy of President
Reagan and the State Depart
ment. He is remembered also
for his reported remark that he
is sick and tired of hearing
about the Holocaust.