As we begin 2025 our team is planning a special year with new and special activities for our members, and outings to interest all. We hope to encourage participation and interaction with one another at each of our branches.
Reflecting on the last year, we are happy that we recruited many new members to each of our branches – with most of the new members helping to bring the average age down, which is so important for the organisation’s longevity. We ended the year with special functions to highlight the festive season, and most people were happy to have participated in our special events.
The annual special Shabbat hosted by the Rabinowitz family at the end of November – honouring Shirley and Bennie Rabinowitz – was enjoyed by every guest. These suppers indicate the need for Shabbat interaction, especially for those who live alone and are not regularly invited to share a Shabbat meal with a family.
Planning for a good year: some tips
Planning ahead is a good idea. But sometimes even good plans don’t materialise. However, forward-thinking is the best idea. Planning helps you to stay focused and be proactive. Before planning forward, reflect on what brought you joy last year and what you did not enjoy so that you can build on the good and ditch the rest.
Remember that there are only 24 hours each day and that you should be kind to yourself so that, when you plan goals, they are achievable, giving you both time to do things as well as rest sufficiently. When planning, always consider that there may be obstacles, and so back-up plans should be included from the start. Be realistic with the goals you plan so that there won’t be any disappointment at the end
of the year.
Creating a ‘Not to do’ list will free up time in your day for the more important things, allowing you to achieve your goals and improve your productivity. Those activities that give you joy and satisfaction should be prioritised because you will be more motivated to work on them.
Audit your life: Think carefully and be honest with yourself as to how things are going. Are you happy and successful, or frustrated and satisfied? Somehow life just happens and you end up where you never intended, or perhaps your life isn’t anything you hoped it would be by now. When you audit your life, you’re not only reviewing things that happened but analysing all areas of your life. We have only so much time and energy, and often we only manage to care for just one or two areas of our lives, while neglecting others.
When doing the audit you should consider all factors, including your health and fitness, emotional and mental well-being, finances and money habits, relationships and family, career and learning, spirituality and community. Focus on what you would like to keep or what you should change, based on your own preferences.
Make a bucket list of things you would like to do, places to visit, or foods you want to try. Is there anything you’ve been too scared to do? There are endless bucket list ideas to choose from when you think about your life audit.
Create New Habits: Did you know that your daily habits will either make or break the new year for you? Almost everything we do is dictated by our habits, for good or for bad. From the moment you wake up until you fall asleep, you’re running on routine and habit. Think about the things you do in the morning, how you spend your days, as well as your night-time routine. What habits are harmful, and which ones are helpful?
Learned behaviours include procrastination, impulse shopping/retail therapy, not exercising, watching too much TV, or bad eating and drinking habits. Try to change habits by replacing them with healthy habits – even if it is just one habit that you can improve. Choose one new successful habit that you can start. It’s easiest to add a habit when you wake up, before/after you eat, or right before you brush your teeth for bed.
Give yourself some spaceas life is unpredictable, and plans may falter, leading to overload. Prioritise self-care to be your best self. Your attitude shapes how you tackle tasks and interact with others. While you can’t control yearly outcomes, you can control your reactions. Setting goals and planning ahead will guide your decisions when changes arise. Planning for the year ahead is only as good as your ability to understand that things happen outside of your control. It’s about patience, consistency, and flexing your plan when necessary.
May 2025 bring you good health, much joy and good times and many opportunities to live life to the full, participating in our programmes whenever possible.
Diana Sochen, Executive Director
Your annual CJSA membership of R330 is due now and can be paid at any of our branches or via EFT. Please ensure that you pay your 2025 membership as soon as possible.
Social and Personal
We congratulate our members who have had joyous occasions during the last month.
Marriage: Lilian Sheldon – marriage of granddaughter Jody Sandra Sheinbar – marriage of grandson
Anniversary: 60th – Mazaltov to Liz and Selwyn Kantor
New Members: Jeffrey Katz, Barry Mosselson, Beth Levin, Erica Weiner, Alice Fortes, Marilyn Levin
Get Well wishes: Stella Kope, Lola Krafchik
Death: Doreen Fiansky – we mourn her passing and wish Long Life to her nephews.
Wishing Albert Glass and Merle Shapiro Long Life on the passing of their sister in Australia.
You have all been in our thoughts.





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