Newspapers / The Charlotte Jewish News … / March 1, 1991, edition 1 / Page 19
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Page 19-THE NEWS-March 1991 People Power Weekend Held at Temple Israel Rabbi Rachel Cowan was the 1991 Blumenthal Scholar-in- Residence at Temple Israel, Feb. 1-3 for the annual People Power Weekend. Rabbi Cowan is an expert in working with converts to Judaism and interfaith cou ples and has presented lectures and workshops widely across the country. She is coauthor of Mixed Blessings: Overcoming the Stumbling Blocks in an Interfaith Marriage, a book she and her husband Paul wrote together before his death three years ago. Even after one partner in a marriage has converted to Judaism, she emphasized, there are usually issues which become problematic within the marriage because of differences in each person’s religious and cultural background. Rabbi Cowan was welcomed to the community with Shabbat services Friday night. She talked about her experience as a con vert to Judaism and how she came to be a Jew by choice, and an enthusiastic one at that. Her husband described his own high ly assimilated family in his book. An Orphan in History. She related several stories from their early life together which showed that neither of them originally thought that Judaism would be so important as it came to be later in their lives. Early in their relationship Paul said he would be fasting for Yom Kippur as they both drove across the country. When they reached his sister’s house, she drolly in formed him that Yom Kippur wasn’t until the following week. They found it important to give their children a feeling of belonging and gradually added more Jewish content to their lives. The Sabbath and holidays became special family times. Rabbi Cowan also talked about her own strong interest in Jewish history and how much she want ed her children to understand their heritage. As she and Paul grew in their own love and appreciation for being Jewish, they passed it on and shared it with their children. Finally she came to feel that supporting her family Jewishly was not enough for her and she decided to convert. She studied and learned and felt that rabbinical school was Rabbi Cowan a way for her to both continue to study and also a way to put her Jewish knowledge into ac tion. She was ordained by He brew Union College and is associated with the conservative synagogue where she and Paul helped to develop a school when her children were young. On Saturday afternoon she led a discussion and workshop for those interested in the topic of interfaith marriage. At the Sunday morning dis cussion group Rabbi Cowan discussed many issues related to synagogue ritual and the need for increasing the level of famil iarity and comfort which partic ipants feel with Jewish liturgy and ritual. Women have partic ular concerns, as their experi ence with participation in Jewish religious life and their role in synagogue participation has been evolving and changing in recent years. Men also may not be as familiar with ritual as they might like to be. Young people also need opportunities to in crease their participation and enjoyment of their Jewishness. Knowledge, Rabbi Cowan emphasized, is power. If we as individuals and as congregations educate ourselves Jewishly, then we will be more effective in meeting the needs of all, includ ing those who are converts and those who are in intermarriages. The emphasis is on the journey each of us must make, and educating ourselves will help us to make our journey more mean ingful. The community is indeed fortunate that the Blumenthals sponsor this annual People Power Weekend. — Cynthia Chapman KITCHENS&BATHS^ YOU WAY! iStKJSA VISIT OUR SHOWROOM AT 216 IVERSON WAY SPECIALIZING IN; REMODELING & DESIGN OPEN SATURDAY 10-4 MON — FRI 9:00 — 6:00 523-2046 Airport Parking CdTn<sl 3145 Little Rock Rd. 394-6588 ONL Y 3-MINUTE SHUTTLE TO DOUGLAS AIRPORT Mon-Sat 5:30 a.m.-midnight Sun 7 a.m.-l a.m. Additional Services Available: • Car Wash • Brake Repair • State Inspection • Oil Change & Lubrication • Tune Up • Rotate Tires Periling $1.95 per day with this coupon nriHy,. Airport Parking • Charlotte, NO Call Hardy Spatz for your Permanent Discount Card Happy Passover The Knubies Jewish Singles 21-35 First Quarter Report By Darren Mond This is the 1991 first quarter business report on the Knubies. Being in the business of fun, the Knubies have had a successful and productive start for the year. The new year was heralded in with the normal pomp and circumstance at the Monds’ abode. Approximately 60 Knu bies celebrated to usher in the new year with a few die hards lasting until 4:30 a.m. We rec onvened later in January at the Monds’ house to cheer for the Bills and Giants in the Super Bowl. Pizza and beer seemed to be everywhere. February events started on the 20th with a movie night, fol lowed by a games night on the 24th. Many new faces were to be found and everyone felt quite at home with each other. March events planned are roller skating on the 3rd and dinner at Fridays followed by the Comedy Zone on the 24th. Thanks go to Mark Gruen- burg for editing our newsletter, “Knubies Knews,” which in forms our members of date changes, details on parties, and updates on ongoing programs such as our bowling league. By the way, we would also like to thank Robyn Drinnen for doing such a good job organizing and officiating the bowling league. If you would like to join us for upcoming events or want more information please contact Ro bert Gleiberman at 537-5625 or Darren Mond at 847-3959. Let us add you to our mailing list. Schedule of Events March 10 — Bowling League, Centennial Lanes, 7:00 p.m. March 24 — Dinner/Comedy; Fridays/Comedy Zone Local and Personalized Ages 21-101 M B| If Ijpt m finfl that 'anpnni snmpnnp ’ \f Call 1-800-442-9050 ALL DOIMESTIC SERVICES Maids • Butlers • Cooks • Nannies • Gardeners 563-6111 BABYSITTING CHARLOTTE Occasional Sitting Service 563-8406 T Qualified Instructc EACHERS InroRS Instructors for All Age Levels 563-8409 Licensed • Bonded • Insured 4037 E. Independence Blvd. Suite 740 Fax (704) 563-6113 The Leather Sale Save on Charlotte’s finest collection of leather furnishings for the home and office! • Over 200 styles of sofas, sectionals loveseats, chairs and ottomans • Designs from Himolla, Natuzzi, Emerson, and more! • Pay no interest for six months or use Visa and Mastercard 9315 Monroe Road • Charlotte, NC 28270 • (704) 847-5558
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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March 1, 1991, edition 1
19
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