The Charlotte Jewish News - February 2006 - Page 15
In Celebration of Our Land
By Janice Bernstein, President,
Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah
The loss of beaches and water
fronts, the contamination of water,
soil and air throughout many parts
of the country, particularly in
recent months, reminds us once
again of our immense responsibil
ity to the land. Before the hurri
canes and natural disasters across
the nation and, to be sure around
the globe, it was easy to lose sight
of the ongoing loss of trees and
forests in our national parks and
the decline of flora and fauna
which help balance nature. As
Americans, and as Jews, these
conditions demand our attention;
we cannot become complacent;
we are obligated to concentrate on
the preservation of our natural
resources.
While Americans may view
ecology and the protection of our
environment as a modem phe
nomenon, Jews have focused on
ecology since the days of the
Bible. We have a love affair with
the land and the rabbis understood
and taught us that the integrity of
the land must always be protected
and preserved. Our holidays and
celebrations are tied to the land -
the fruits and bounty of the land
provide a spiritual link for all our
observances.
With the advent of the modem
Zionist movement, one of the first
acts of the Zionist Congress was
to establish a Jewish National
Fund. The frind purchased land
and reclaimed it in order to restore
it to its natural beauty. Hadassah
became the largest contributor to
and supporter of JNF. Even our
name is rooted in the soil of Israel,
for the “hadas” is the myrtle that
grows abundantly throughout
Israel.
As we celebrate the Jewish hoi-
HA
DAS
B’Shevat on Monday, Febmary
13, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the home
of Drs. Joyce LiBethe and Gary
Raflo. Guest speaker, Jeff Knight,
a master beekeeper, will tell us all
about bees and the health benefits
of honey - and will offer a taste of
various kinds of honey.
Refreshments will include deli
cious foods made with honey and
there’ll be recipes for you to take
home. Please bring your Blue Box
or a check made out to Hadassah.
All proceeds will be given to the
Jewish National Fund. Call Joyce
at 704-544-0003 for information
and directions.
iday of Tu B’Shevat, the New
Year for the Trees, we accept the
responsibility to continue to
restore the land of Israel. At the
same time, we are equally cog
nizant that here in America, we
have an obligation to continue to
advocate for the protection and
preservation of our natural
resources so that we may be
blessed for having provided our
children and grandchildren a
healthy and beautiful world, root
ed in Jewish tradition, in which
they will grow and thrive.
The Charlotte Chapter of
Hadassah will be celebrating Tu
Assisted Living In Your Own Home
Affordable Non-Medical, In-Home Care
- Companionship Care - Transportation (Doctor, etc.)
- Personal Care Services - Light Housekeeping
- Meal Preparation - 24/7 Care Available
- Errand/Grocery Shopping
Screened,
Bonded &
Insured
For a FREE In-Home Consultation, Call Us!
Comfort 704-543-8220
Keopors www.comfortkeepers.com
Comforting Solutions for In-Home Care''’'^
Book Club Discusses “Weeping Susannah”
THE ONLY SERVICE
YOU’LL FIND BETTER...
IS ON FRIDAY NIGHT
The Women of Reform
Judaism at Temple Beth El
held their second book club
meeting for 5766 on
Wednesday, January 4 at 7:00
PM.
We thank the Levine-Sklut
Judaic Library and Resource
Center for hosting us that
evening.
Amalia Warshenbrot shared
some knowledge and insights
with us on the subject of
Israeli literature, followed by a
book discussion of Weeping
Susannah, written by Alonah
Kimhi, translated by Dalya Bilu,
and led by our own Gail Fagan.
Our third selection for the year,
Joanne Jagodinski, Lynne Cojac, Gail
Fagan, Maggie De Leon, and Amalia
Warshenbrot.
Fateless by Imre Kertesz, is on the
subject of the Holocaust.
This highly recommended book
will be discussed on Sunday,
April 23 at 3 PM in the Temple’s
Silverman Social Hall during the
season when we remember and
commemorate Yom HaShoah.
Our reviewer for Fateless will be
Maggie De Leon. Also of interest
is that a movie. Fateless, is being
released nationwide in February
2006 is based on this novel [See
www.thinkfilmcompany.com for
details.]
Please plan to join us April 23
and feel free to bring fnends. No
RSVP is needed but you can con
tact Lynne Cojac with any ques
tions at LCojac@aol.com or 704-
541-3358.
Andrew Steinberg
Broker/Realtor^
704-737-5552
Adam T. Miller
Broker/Realtor®
704-651-1444
adamandandy@carolina.rr.com
Ask about our
‘Sell and Buy Special
Jewish Family Services
JFS Celebrates in
December
Jewish Family Services had
plenty to celebrate in December.
Although 2005 marked the
25th year in operation for Jewish
Family Services, it also marked
the first year as an independent
agency. In honor of these mile
stones, JFS held its 1st Annual
Meeting for board members and xhere was a big crowd at the
the general community m early Hanukkah Party
December. After a two-year term,
Amy Mullen passed on the Director Aree Skolnik was also
responsibilities of Board Chair to recognized for ’ producing the
Karen Knoble. The evening agency’s first Annual Report.
And for the third year, JFS
hosted its annual Hanukkah
Party at Temple Israel, sponsored
by Norman Steinberger.
Approximately 80 senior guests
from assisted living facilities
came to the event to enjoy a spe-
■cial luncheon, music, sing-alongs
and door prizes. “Each year, I
hear such wonderful things from
those who attend our party,” said
JFS Executive Director Penny
Wagner-Schuster. “Everyone
loves the camaraderie, and they
truly appreciate the chance to cel
ebrate the holiday with lots of
other Jewish people in a festive
setting. It means so much to them,
and for everyone at JFS, it’s a
great way to end the year.”
cs
Sue Worrel, Executive Director of
Federation, Jill Newman, past pres
ident of Federation, and Dana
Meiselman, board member of JFS,
chat at the Annual Meeting.
included recognition of Volunteer
of the Year Nancy Bernstein, who
works many long hours assem
bling JFS Mitzvah Baskets for
special events. JFS Marketing
r You’ll Have Warm Heat At r
** Your House Tonight!® *'
“Use these coupons with my
compliments any time you
need service.”
704-357-0484
>79
Safety Check
Catch a small problem
before it becomes a large one.
Save on heating bills.
Here’s What You Get
• Check Rame Rollout ♦Check For Gas Leaks
• Check Catbon Monoxide • Check For Overheating
• Check Thermostat • Check Fan Motor
• Check Air Filters • Check Safety Controls
704-357-0484
May not be combined with other offers.
Coupon must be presented at time of service,
>20 OFF
Any Repair
Air Conditioners • Heat Pumps • Furnaces
We Service All Brands
704-357-0484
May not be combined with other offers.
Coupon must be presented at time of service.