February 22, 2012   29 Sh'vat 5772



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 Pastoral Care Committee Report

        Sunshine and Pastoral Care Committee--Marilyn Stern RN (Retired), Ph. D.

 

Temple B’nai Sholem benefits from BJH Foundation for Senior Services

This year, BJH Foundation for Senior Services has awarded over $152,000 in grants to 17 different programs aimed at improving the lives of Jewish seniors in North and South Carolina. Over the past five years, BJH Foundation for Senior Services has awarded over $723,000 to qualifying non-profit organizations.

Based on an overwhelming need from this year’s applicants $110,000 was allocated to 8 programs that focus on health and well-being including: respite care for caregivers, day care for Jewish seniors, congregational nurse or social worker programs, home and community services, guardianship care, and care management.

“This is our 5th grant cycle, and we are pleased to be able to continue funding numerous programs that serve Jewish seniors with varying needs. BJH Foundation recognized the health and well being programs need additional funding to employ qualified professionals such as certified nurses and licensed professionals.” said Arthur Samet, President BJH Foundation for Senior Services.

Temple B’nai Sholem will use their funding for their “Pastoral Care” program which serves isolated Jewish seniors in a four-county area. The Pastoral Care program includes two nurses who perform blood pressure checks, discuss medications, help with referrals and monitor the elder’s health and safety status.

Additional programming includes counseling and friendly visits by volunteers. These visits offer the healing gift of a relationship. The Pastoral Care program will continue to collaborate with Bayt Shalom and other congregations to guide them in establishing and maintaining similar programs.

About BJH Foundation for Senior Services:

BJH Foundation for Senior Services, founded in 2006, provides grants to organizations that enhance the lives of Jewish seniors in North and South Carolina. Grants are awarded for activities, services and programs for the elderly in accordance with Jewish values and beliefs. For Information on donating to BJH Foundation for Senior Services call 336-854-8400 or please visit www.bjhfoundation.org. The next grant application deadline will be April 2012.

Publicity Committee

 

This fall our Temple will be participating in the “Ghost Walk” in New Bern and we’ll be open for tours on Friday October 28 from 5- 7 pm and on Saturday October 29 from 5-9 pm. Last year close to 100 persons stopped by…all for the first time…resulting in increased awareness for the Jewish presence in this community. We will need volunteers from the temple and Sisterhood to act as host/hostesses for two hour periods each night. Material on the temple will be provided so don’t fret if you are not an “expert” as your help will be needed. If you are able to assist call Larry Weiss .

 

TempleB’naiSholem's History and Archives

  by Marilyn Stern, Ph. D.

 

Some years ago I collected information and compiled a chronology of our Temple's history for our 2005 edition of our "handbook" for Temple members. A year or so later, we received a grant from the Zale Foundation, part of which was used to set up a Temple archive. With the permission of the Temple's Board of Directors and the New-Bern Public Library, this archive was turned over to the Kellenberger Room at the library on Johnson Street.  The archive is available to people interested in our history.  Furthermore, each and every member of our Temple is encouraged to add to the archive.  If you see a newspaper article about our Temple or one of our members, or you have a program or invitation from a Temple event, please take it to Victor Jones or John Green in the Kellenberger Room at the library.  If you have photographs of an event, please provide name, date and information about the photo and event. In addition to our Temple archives, the Kellenberger Room has a transcript of an interview with Elbert Lipman which describes a walk down Middle Street back in the days when nearly every business on Middle Street was owned by a Jewish citizen. You are encouraged to take an hour to visit our archives and to read the interview with Elbert. The Kellenberger Room also has resources for conducting Jewish genealogy.


Buildings & Grounds

A ctivityfor the period August - October 2011

Completed projects:

  • Replaced back door lock. Only method of opening old lock was with a key typically left in the door due to fire code requirement for emergency exit. The key was removed by someone and not replaced. New lock eliminates need for key to open door from inside
  • Hurricane damage and repairs
    1. Oak tree in back toppled and damaged eave and sanctuary window. The tree was removed by Baptist Men at no charge. Donation and thank you sent.
    2. Metal eave has been repaired. Molding under flashing still needs attention. Waiting on quote for molding replacement.
    3. Sanctuary window glass replaced. Still waiting on blue glass.
    4. Insurance settlement received by Myrna appears adequate to comer damage.

  • Completed monthly fire extinguisher inspection.
  • Replaced burned out light bulbs.

Upcoming:

  • Bathroom sink is slow to drain. Needs attention.
  • Investigate possible water leaks in attic causing staining and peeling of sanctuary ceiling. Repair any leaks and unseen water damage in roof.
  • Ceiling plaster repairs and repaint.
  • Get tuck point project underway.
  • Continue to work with Sisterhood on possible Oneg Room improvements.

       

      Social Action and Community Relations Committee

      Thanks to our small but mighty community for participating recently in two worthwhile efforts!

      On the afternoon of Sunday, October 2, a handful of us walked 3 miles in the New Bern CROP Walk to raise awareness of hunger locally and throughout the world, Thanks in particular go to Fay Zerbo, John Brady, LarryWeiss and Sue Rosenfield for their participation. Not only did they support a worthy cause, but they also got to enjoy being outside on a spectacular October afternoon.

      Throughout the High Holiday period our congregation brought many bundles of clothing and household items for donation to the Hurricane Irene survivors in Pamlico County. Carla Byrnes cheerfully transported carloads of items on a couple occasions to the Relief Center in Bayboro, and I also filled my car trunk and made the drive twice. Each time I walked into the Relief Center and was told how important our donations were, I felt such pride and appreciation for all of you and your generous spirits!

      CathyWeiss, Chair

       

      Commemorative Brick Program

       

      Engraved bricks can still be purchased for installation in our new front walkway. Thanks to the Men’s Clubs effort and the support of the community, 100% of the cost for this needed repair was covered at no expense to the temple. If you have not yet participated the High Holy Days are a perfect time to honor a loved one or celebrate a milestone event. If you are interested, please call Bill Siegendorf.

       

       

      Memorial Plaques

       

      Several new memorial plaques were installed during the summer. Spaces on our existing boards are dwindling and when it is gone there is little chance we will add new spaces. If you are considering the purchase of a memorial plaque to honor a loved one, you should consider acting before the spaces are gone. Call Bill Siegendorf for pricing.

       

       
      Committee Descriptions  
       

      Education and Library

      Temple B'nai Sholem began offering basic Hebrew instruction to adults in 1994, and reestablished a Religious School for children in 1995. An adult Torah study group was begun in 1995. Dates, times and places of study sessions are published in The Shofar.  Persons interested in conversion classes should contact our Outreach Chair. The Temple maintains a small library of Judaica. Books are loaned on an honor system.

       

      Social Committee

      Onegs following worship services are coordinated by the Sisterhood. The Temple’s Social Committee coordinates refreshments for the annual meeting, a Break-Fast after Yom Kippur services and a summer picnic or cook-out. The Ritual Committee and the Sisterhood coordinate a community Passover seder which is held at a local restaurant.

       

      Community Relations

      Since the late 1960s, our Temple has made an annual contribution for membership in New Bern's Religious Community Services (RCS), which operates a soup kitchen and shelter. The Sisterhood makes annual contributions to the local newspaper's Empty Stocking Fund. Many of our members are active in Civitan and community service organizations.  Adult and children's Sunday School groups from area churches frequently visit our worship services. Schools and community groups frequently  invite one of our officers or other members to speak to them about Hanukkah, the Holocaust, or to team-teach a Bible study program. When invited, we  participate in appropriate interfaith services. Our Temple participates in the annual tour of homes and houses of worship in New Bern's Historic District each April with Temple and/or Sisterhood members serving as tour guides.

       

      Social Action Tikkun Olam                                                         

      The Chairman of the Social Action Committee contributes articles to The Shofar.  The Committee maintains communications with UAHC, the Anti-Defamation League and the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Temple members are encouraged to make regular donations to national Jewish charities, charities which benefit Israel, and other worthwhile causes. If you experience or are aware of anti-Semitic activity,  please notify the Chairman of the Social Action Committee. Three congregational members who reside in Craven County are to be appointed to seek and make common cause with organizations such as NAACP, ADL, ACLU.

             

      Chevra Kadisha and Cemetery

      A Chevra Kadisha Committee was formed in 2000 to assist Jews in keeping Jewish traditions surrounding dying, death, burial and mourning. The Committee has established working relationships with area hospices, hospitals, funeral homes and cemeteries. It has developed a “planning form” that it encourages members to use. These forms are maintained in a confidential file and may be revised as needed.

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