This year CJSA members were really able reconnect and enjoy socialising while visiting interesting places on outings, experiencing fabulous restaurants, and being in the company of others.
We had a wonderful three night stay at the upgraded hot water Goudini Springs in Rawsonville. Members came from each of our branches and some had never met. But, by the end of the three days they had new friends. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Opstal Winery and some
did a wine tasting. The highlights of the stay were the beautiful baths and the special braai arranged by the Worcester Lions on the last night. We are already being asked when the next break will be organised.
We had many good things this year. The CJSA volunteers are exceptional, presenting about their specialities or interests, teaching art, mosaics, exercise, knitting, yoga or acting as receptionists, librarians or drivers. We value each and every one of you; CJSA would certainly be poorer without you. We hope all of you will join us for our special thank you lunch.
There are many special things that members have participated in and enjoyed during the year. Music is popular. It is wonderful to have talented people entertain our groups, like Cantor Ivor Joffe, who performed two special concerts for us. Abe Gordon and Lester Braun have entertained at two lunchtime events; the Singing Policeman gave a concert in Milnerton; and in Sea Point we were entertained by Asher Woolf on guitar, with members joining in with tunes that they knew.
Healthy ageing is an important topic. We have had health talks on diabetes awareness and engaged in regular chair yoga exercises with Leina, Ageless Grace with Cathy, and Chair exercises with Elaine. We host a special programme in Sea Point for our members who are frail, and we hold a vital weekly reminiscence session which is enjoyed by all. Representatives of CSO have engaged with members, providing necessary information. We thank them for the incredible service they give to our entire community every single day.
Members have enjoyed current affairs, and have participated in online and in-person yoga, with our special teachers, Rochelle and Veronica. We were saddened by the untimely passing of the third member of the Yiddish team, Sybil Castle, who will be remembered with love.
Talented members enjoy watercolour painting with artist Glynnis in Sea Point, acrylics with Karen Cohen in Milnerton, and Mosaics with Yvette Polovin in Sea Point. Knitting as an outreach project is enjoyed at all three centres.
As regards outings, this year we have been to the Aquarium, Alpaca Farm, SA National Art Gallery, Santam Art Gallery, exhibitions at the SA Jewish Museum and Holocaust Museum. We also visited various restaurants and other places of interest, too many to list. Each branch has one special outing every week. We enjoyed the tour of the Peninsula as an interbranch morning on the Red Bus and the boat trip on the canals in the V&A Waterfront. We also enjoyed Shabbat Suppers, twilight suppers, and a variety of lunches, including an interbranch one honouring Eric Samson z’’l.
Stimulation of our minds happens weekly with Bridge, Kalooki, Scrabble, and the new favourite, Majong.
From this, one can see what we offer at each of our branches. In addition to the activities, members have the opportunity to be heard by our social workers and psychological counsellor. Members can make appointments to see social workers in a safe environment where their concerns are confidentially addressed. Ageing isn’t easy: it is the time in life when you still have something on the ball, but you may be too tired to bounce it!
When Parents Grow Old!
Let them grow old with the same love that they let you grow. Let them speak and tell repeated stories with the same patience and interest they showed to yours as a child… Let them overcome, like so many times when they let you win… Let them enjoy their friends just as they let you… Let them enjoy the talks with their grandchildren because they see you in them… Let them enjoy living among the objects dear to them because they suffer when they feel that pieces of their lives are taken away… Let them be wrong like you’ve been so many times but didn’t embarrass you by correcting you… LET THEM LIVE and try to make them happy on the last stretch of the path they have left to go. Give them your hand, just like they gave you their hand when you started your path!
We look forward to welcoming many new members in 2024 and renewing current memberships so that we can enjoy a special year together.
Diana Sochen, Executive Director
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
We congratulate our members who have had joyous occasions during the last month.
MARRIAGE:
Janice Bloch – Grandson
Helaine Gorin – Grandson
Steve and Jos Horwitz – Son
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY:
Miranda Bloch.
WELCOME to new members:
Carol Avinir
Barbara Friedman
Avril Rosen
Our wishes of strength to those who have recently lost loved ones: Lorraine Gurwitz – Sister
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 December 2023/January 2024 issue – Click here to start reading.
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