To Honor and Comfort: Panel to Discuss Jewish Choices In End-of-Life Planning
Havurat Tikvah is sponsoring a panel discussion, “To Honor and Comfort: A Jewish Response to Death and Grief,” on Jan. 12, 2014, 4 p.m., at Avondale Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, 2821 Park Road, home to Havurat Tikvah.
It’s the one certain event most people avoid planning for: the death of a family member or oneself. Adding to that reluctance, one might not know enough about Jewish funeral and mourning practices or who to turn to for help in making decisions.
Led by three experienced professionals, attendees will be able to expand their knowledge base about Jewish customs and practices surrounding end-of-life issues.
Rabbi Jonathan Freirich, associate rabbi at Temple Beth El and a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, will give an overview of traditional laws and customs regarding death and bereavement, as well as liberal Jewish practices. Both communal and individual obligations will be considered.
Sandra Goldman, director of the Hebrew Cemetery Association of Greater Charlotte, will talk about traditional grave sites and new options at the historic cemetery, including the nearly-completed chapel/memorial building.
Joel Blady, who is Jewish and a funeral director at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, will cover funeral home services that enable families to observe Jewish practices.
A question and answer session will follow the panel’s presentations. All attending are invited to refreshments immediately afterward.
The program is free and Charlotte’s Jewish community, including unaffiliated Jews, is invited to attend.
Parking is available in the church lot off Lilac Road.
Teen aids schools
Brooke Feinglass is doing her part in providing support to her mother’s native land.
This industrious sophomore in the IB program at Myers Park High School is gathering school supplies for donation to public schools in the Central American country of Hondurus. During a time of research, she discovered that the educational system in that country was below standard. The main reason for this is due to the lack of school supplies.
So, Feinglass is collecting anything that a school-aged person would need to become more successful. She is looking for notebooks, paper, pencils, etc., and will donate them to the school system in Hondurus when she has completed her contributions’ gathering.
For more information or to make arrangements for supply pickup, email bjfeind1@gmail.com.
Holiday social action project slated
Havurat Tikvah will again participate in Friendship Trays on Dec. 24.
Members and friends will help the organization prepare, pack and deliver meals to clients of Friendship Trays.
To volunteer, email Volunteer Coordinator Lani Lawrence at llawrence@friendship trays.org or call 704.970.4842.
The organization is located at 2401-A Distribution St. off Remount Rd.
For more information and/or to alert the havurah coordinator, call Brian Feinglass at 704-737-2814 or email bcfein1@gmail.com.
Havurat Tikvah to participate in Room in the Inn
Havurat Tikvah will assist Avondale Presbyterian Church, 2821 Park Rd., with their Room in the Inn social action initiative on Jan. 28, Feb. 18 and March 18 in 2014.
Volunteer members will provide the evening meal preparation and service.
The congregation has been a steady volunteer since it began leasing from the church a couple of years ago.
Under Brian Feinglass’s leadership, members have helped to get the facility ready for visitors, as well as preparing dinner and bagged lunches and more.
To participate with Havurat Tikvah on its slated dates, call Brian at 704-737-2814 or email bcfein1@gmail.com.
Of course, there are more days to lend a hand. To sign up for additional slots, visit SignUpGenius.com/go/
Tabs to support Ronald’s house
Kate Kaplan is collecting pop top tabs to support the work of the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte located at 1613 E. Morehead St.
She has asked that members bring their tabs to Havurat Tikvah services and events so she can collect them. When enough are accumulated, she will ferry them over to the Charlotte house.
According to Ronald McDonald House, the tabs convert into cash. “The House takes tabs into local recycling centers and exchange the tabs for money for our guest family fund! Although it costs the House approximately $89 a night to shelter a family in medical crisis, families are invited to make only a small financial donation — many cannot afford to contribute anything at all. The money from pop tabs helps to ensure that we are able to accommodate every guest, regardless of their ability to pay,” the charity said.
Kaplan remarked that her experience with the charity was positive, saying “I can’t say enough good things about them.” Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte provides families with a safe, comfortable and supportive environment during their child’s medical treatment.
To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House, visit rmhofcharlotte.org.
Settle to mount exhibit
Member Marty Settle will showcase his works on April 5, 6-10 p.m., at Hart Witzen, 136 E. 36th St., as part of a free NoDa gallery crawl.
Settle’s sculpture and installation will feature 25 assemblages and seven electronic music/sound compositions by musician, Don Chamberlain.
His Decarates’ Dream is shown to the right and will be on display.
The interactive exhibit can be accessed online through smart phones, iPads, iPods, ear buds, etc. Listening stations will be provided as well.
Beverages, appetizers and snacks will be available.
Winegar art exhibit slated
Deborah Winegar will bring her artistic talent to the Queen City on March 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Centered Wellness, 1410 W. Morehead St., Suite 200.
Entitled “Extracts From My Soul,” her showcase is an exhibit of monoprints and gouache landscapes made with collage elements, and the gouache landscapes are painted “plein air” in North Carolina and Maine.
The artist says: “This body of work is created by me to discover where I am with the inside and outside world. My process involves trusting my unconscious to speak to me through humble materials.” She’ll share her insights into the creation of her work during the evening’s event.
Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information, visit yogaforlifecharlotte.com.
Bosley to retire
Long-time member Deborah Bosley is retiring from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in May after 24 years.
She will devote much of her new time to her company, The Plain Language Group. The company works closely with businesses to meet regulatory requirements and to gain and retain customers by giving them written information in language they understand and appreciate. To learn more, visit theplainlanguagegroup.com.
Bosley also plans to spend time relaxing and enjoying retirement from the academic environs.
Teen group expands its outreach, initiatives
Havurat Tikvah’s Mizvah in Action (MIA!) teen group has been undergoing a lot of changes and expansion since its inception two years ago.
As a way to maintain a stronger teen participation within congregational life, as well as a Jewish identity, MIA! decided to merge with the teens of Kol Ami to provide a broader approach. There was strength in numbers with both groups working as one. Kol Ami did not have an organized group, and welcomed the opportunity.
Carol LeBaron serves as the group’s advisor and has assisted in its expansion recently. Leaders include: Meara Waxman, youth leader; Sydney Feinglass, treasurer; Lea LeBaron historian and blogger; and Kayla Kaplan, book club coordinator.
The first merged meeting was held on Oct. 14, where MIA! set out to develop a calendar of activities, meetings and community service projects and outings. Included in these activities is a book club, which has already seen a great deal of success on the Havurat Tikvah side. They also had a bit of fun baking challot from dough contributed by Great Harvest Bread Company owners and Havurat Tikvah members Janet and Jeff Ganoung.
On the horizon, they plan on collecting gloves, scarves, socks and backpacks for Urban Ministry’s Room at the Inn. Collection boxes will be set up at all congregational services and events to accept donations. Additionally, they are coordinating a Hanukkah party with Kol Ami’s Torah Tots, a pizza and bowling social event, Hamentschen baking, as well as a trip to the Charlotte Children’s Theatre.
They will collectively volunteer their time at the Purim carnival at the Jewish Community Center in February, serving as floaters to shore up areas that need support instead of staffing a single booth.
Membership is $20 per year and is open to teens within the Charlotte metropolitan area.
For more information, email miateens@havurattikvah.org or visit mitzvahinaction.info.
Ongoing Tzedakah Projects
Havurat Tikvah is actively engaged in ongoing Tzedakah projects to benefit the community.
Currently, we are engaged in making blankets for Project Linus, collecting necessary items for Urban Ministries, as well as gathering used cellphones for Shalom Bayit-NC. We also hold regular drives for Jewish Family Services to augment their food and personal care pantries.
Join a “sewing bee” at one of our host homes to put together and create wonderful blankets for Project Linus. The national organization, with the help of hundreds of chapters and groups like ours, make, collect and distribute these handmade creations to seriously ill children and children who are in crisis or who have experienced trauma. To learn more about Project Linus, visit projectlinus.org.
Urban Ministry provides for the homeless by being a day center for those who may otherwise not have a place to gather to receive support, have a hot meal and have access to professional care needs as they arise. The center is also home to Room in the Inn, which provides overnight shelter during the winter months. We are happy to be able to assist Avondale Presyterian Church with their ongoing support of this important project. Currently, we are collecting seasonal clothes, eye glasses, toiletries and canned food. To learn more about Urban Ministry, visit urbanministrycenter.org.
Another recipient of our Tzedakah projects is Shalom Bayit-NC. They provide necessary support and education for those who experience domestic violence within the Jewish community. Right now, we are collecting old, used and unwanted cell phones which are reprogrammed to call 911. To learn more about Shalom Bayit-NC, visit shalombayit-nc.org.
Consider bringing requested items to services when you come or to any of our other programs throughout the year. Our social action committee will graciously deliver them to their ultimate destination.
Todah rabah (thank you) to everyone who continues to support these worthy endeavors.