Getting ready for life and living after COVID

As much as we know that our members are aching to attend functions at each of our CJSA Centres, I assure you that the social workers and auxiliary staff are as keen to be able to welcome everyone back, so that we can restore some sort of normalcy.

We recently hosted the JCC AGM which showcased how each of the seven welfare organisations have coped and risen to the challenge during the whole pandemic period; and how magnificently the less fortunate and vulnerable have been cared for. We can truly be proud, and I for one think that our Cape Town Community are really fantastic. For those who missed the AGM, you can log onto the CJSA Facebook page where this special event can be viewed. We are justly proud that social worker Monique Nieuwenhuys was presented with the Professional Service Award. Mazaltov and richly deserved to her.

The professional team have gotten together for the first time in nearly 20 months. It was so wonderful to see each other face-to-face, and we spent a productive couple of hours planning the programme for the opening periods. Obviously we are going to observe all COVID-19 protocols when opening and we will have strict guidelines as to who and how many may attend at any one time. Zoom participation has become the norm, and this will continue, so that those who are unable to attend in person will still be part of the community.

We will begin contacting all the wonderful volunteers who used to add life to years with their passion and expertise in many different fields. Hopefully they will be happy to continue supporting us and providing much-needed stimulating entertainment. There will be new additions to the programme and the much-loved outings will begin immediately.

We’ve been providing our Shabbat Meal Service since the beginning of lockdown. It has become apparent that many of our recipients are now getting out and about and therefore this project will be downsizing to those who really are house-bound and in need. As this has been a very long, hard year for our staff we are going to take a well-earned break at the end of December, so that when we re-open in January everyone will feel refreshed and raring to go.

We end the year on a positive note, in anticipation of 2022 being a wonderful year that offers every opportunity to renew friendships, and to see the world with a new appreciation.

The Positive Side of Life

• Living on Earth is expensive but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.
• How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you’re on.
• Birthdays are good for you – the more you have, the longer you live.
• Happiness comes through doors you didn’t know you’d left open.
• Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?
• Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
• If Pick n Pay is lowering prices every day, how come nothing’s free yet?
• You may not be the only person in the world – but you may also be the world to one person.
• Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
• Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
• We could learn a lot from crayons – some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull and some have weird names and all are different colours…but they exist very nicely in the same box.
• A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
• Know that someone who thinks you’re great has thought about you today.
• Never look down on anybody, unless you’re helping them up.
• Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

Remember… Hold on tight to the ones you love!

Diana Sochen – Executive Director

Hashem won’t ask what kind of car you drove.
He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.
Hashem won’t ask the square footage of your house.
He’ll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
Hashem won’t ask about the clothes you had in your closet.
He’ll ask how many people you helped to clothe.
Hashem won’t ask what your highest salary was.
He’ll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
Hashem won’t ask what your job title was.
He’ll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
Hashem won’t ask how many friends you had.
He’ll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
Hashem won’t ask in what heighbourhood you lived.
He’ll ask how you treated your neighbours.
Hashem won’t ask about your appearance.
He’ll ask about the content of your character.
Hashem won’t ask why it took you so long to seek forgiveness.
He’ll ask why you didn’t forgive those who wronged you.

Social and Personal

We congratulate our members who have celebrated joyous occasions during the last month.

Births
Rabbi and Rebbetsen Green — grandson
Wilfred Mirkin — grandson
Michele Pietersen — grandson
Charlotte Schachat — grandson
Ronnie and Rose Stein — granddaughter
Rita Wagenheim — great-grandson

Barmitzvah/ Batmitzvah
Harry and Debbie Epstein — grandson
Henny, Roy and Vonny Bernstein — grandson and great-grandson

Engagement
Mervyn and Judy Bloom — granddaughter
Golda Sher — Twin granddaughters

Marriage and Wedding Anniversary
Harriet Baitz — granddaughter
Barbara Sandler — grandson
Marge Gurwitz to Jeremy Kavnat
Dennis and Nesta Shorkend — 60th Anniversary

Special Birthday wishes:
Jeny Dinsdale — 80th, Muriel Levin — 85th, Cyril Jacobson — 80th, Ben Surdut — 80th, Estelle Tait — 79th

Our thoughts and condolences to family members of CJSA members who have recently passed away:
Eve Berman, Bernice Katz, Barney Len, Doreen Levin

Our thoughts and wishes of Long Life to members who have recently lost loved ones:
Ruth Katzeff on the passing of her sister, Bernice Katz
Shirley Waldman on the passing of her husband, Hymie

Cape Jewish Seniors Association
Director: Diana Sochen, 021 434 9691, director@cjsa.org.za
Admin: Amanda, 021 434 9691, admin@cjsa.org.za
CJSA on Facebook

• Published in the PDF edition of the December 2021/January 2022 issue – Click here to get it.

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