Starting the new year on a new foot
As we move into the new year we need to do so on the right foot with a good attitude and good intentions, so that this year will be the best year ever for us all.
CJSA proudly hosts a seminar every second year and the one that we have just held was a stimulating and thought provoking day for all participants. From the Keynote speaker, Dr Anastasia Tomson’s moving and extremely brave address on diversity, to Dr Leon Geffen’s sage advice on how to live and age well, to Adv. Joy Wilkin’s presentation on Curatorship and finally Prof JP van Niekerk‘s presentation on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, seminars like these give us tools to make the right choices so that we can all live our best lives as we age.
The seminar was geared for all — the man in the street who wants to stay abreast by hearing topics of interest that will allow our minds to stretch, as well as professionals who work in the community enabling them to use best practices when dealing and interacting with their clients.
VOLUNTEERISM
Volunteering is one of the most satisfying activities that anyone can participate in. We are always looking for new volunteers to give of their time and expertise to our members. As we begin a new year it would be wonderful to recruit some new volunteers to provide services. Should you have any skill or talent you are willing to share, please contact our office to offer your services — the bonus being that you become part of a caring and special group of people and you get a special invitation to attend our annual volunteer’s thank you day.
GOUDINI
Bookings are now open for our annual 3-night breakaway to Goudini Spa. Please book your place early so that we can organise a special time away for everyone. The dates are March 9 – 12 next year. There are individual rooms as well as double rooms for sharing. Apart from the wonderful therapeutic mineral baths, we also organise a special outing and lunch. All meals are included and the fellowship is really great. We urge you to book and join us for this special get away.
JOY PROGRAMME
The weekly interaction with the learners of Alon Ashel pre-primary school has been a unique experience for both our Seniors as well as the learners and their outstanding educators. Each week our seniors visit a different class and it has been wonderful to see how the members who attend really love the interaction and experience with each different age group. We rotate to new classes each week where the different age groups interact in different ways. It has been wonderful to watch the special way in which the children welcome our group and more importantly how our seniors look forward to the special Thursday mornings. There is always space for expansion so we would welcome new participants in the JOY programme which operates during term time only.
CARE FOR THE CARER
One of the single most debilitating functions for an individual is when you have to care for a loved one. Short term care is obviously far easier to endure, but when the care is unending and getting more demanding as the patient becomes progressively debilitated, it is of utmost importance for the carer to care for themselves. Burnout, as well as other problems, can and do occur if one does not care for one’s self. We host a Care for the Carer group every second Thursday morning where carers (often spouses) meet in a safe and confidential environment to spend time in reflection and expression. All are welcome.
TWILIGHT SUPPERS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Twilight suppers take place at three of our centres each month. This year we have enjoyed speakers of the highest calibre who have drawn large crowds at each event. Our special events, fundraisers and other once-off functions are really enjoyed and we are so happy that each function has been supported so well. In fact, there is usually a waiting list for events which highlights the need for CJSA in the community.
As we look to 2020, a leap year, I urge each one to look at engaging more, sharing your expertise and time as well as getting out of your comfort zone to experience new activities. Enjoy the festive time with family and friends and we hope that we our branches will be oversubscribed with waiting lists for each function on our calendar of events in 2020.
Diana Sochen Executive Director
Social and Personal
BIRTHS
Shirley Elvey — great grandson
Janice Bloch — great grandson
ENGAGEMENT
June Benjamin — grandson
SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS
Ettie Buch 99th
Ella Blumenthal
Polly Sacks 90th
Doreen Seidle 90th
We extend our best wishes to members who have not been well:
Shirley Greenstein
We extend our sincere condolences to members who have lost family members:
Henny Bernstein — brother
Ros Krawitz — sister
We extend condolences to the family of members who have recently passed away
Gayle Burnett — Mother Sarah Burnett
Family Marcus — Toonie
We welcome new members to the CJSA family:
Ann Ger, Bernice Kaplan, Marcia Orlin, Inge Williers, Leonia Kurgan
Special events for December, January & February
BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR ALL FUNCTIONS
OUTINGS NOVEMBER
Southern Suburbs
2 Dec Big Wheel at the Waterfront
8 Dec Visit the sculptures of Jean Doyle
6 Jan SA Jewish Museum Photograph Exhibition
13 Jan Polkadraai Strawberry Farm
20 Jan Hillcrest Berry Farm
27 Jan Hotel Verde
3 Feb Soet Emporium, Durbanville
10 Feb Babylonstoren
17 Feb Chart Farm
24 Feb Kalk Bay
18 Dec Clay Café, Hout Bay
8 Jan Chart Farm
15 Jan Polkadraai Strawberry Farm
22 Jan Photo Exhibition SA Jewish Museum
29 Jan Hotel Verde
12 Feb Soet Emporium, Durbanville
19 Feb Babylonstoren
26 Feb Little Stream
Milnerton
10 Dec Stellenbosch Botanical Garden
14 Jan Photo Exhibition SA Jewish Museum
28 Jan Polkadraai Strawberry Farm
11 Feb Hotel Verde
25 Feb Babylonstoren
West Coast
3 Dec Parliament
17 Dec SPCA
7 Jan Polkadraai Strawberry Farm
21 Jan SA Jewish Museum Photo Exhibition
4 Feb Hotel Verde
18 Feb Babylonstoren
MEN’S SCHMOOZE
Milnerton 7 Feb Chabad Bochrim
Southern Suburbs 11 Dec John Scott
22 Feb Rabbi Bryan Opert
Sea Point 10 Dec Con Travers
29 Jan Rael Kaimowitz
26 Feb Bryan Opert
SHABBAT SUPPERS
Southern Suburbs 31
January Clarewyn Shul
TWILIGHT SUPPERS
Southern Suburbs
11 Dec Joanne Jowell
15 Jan Daniel Silke
12 Feb Michael Bagraim
Sea Point
10 Dec Two Oceans Marathon
14 Jan Ant Katz
1 Feb Dave Stewart
Milnerton 19 Dec Social Dinner
30 Jan Nick Kairinos
27 Feb Dave Stewart
To read the editor’s column for December/January click here
To read or download the December/January issue of the Chronicle in PDF click here
To read the most read article of the November issue, click here
Portal to the Jewish Community: to see a list of all the Jewish organisations in Cape Town with links to their websites, click here
Featured organisation of the month: The Jewish Community Services’ (JCS) activities are centered on relief for the poor and distressed in the Jewish community. They provide a full range of preventative, educative and supportive counselling, statutory services as well as material relief. Visit http://www.jcs.org.za for more.
