November—December 2014 Registered by Australia Post: PP 255003/01519 Editor Sandy Matrai Email: Matrai@coasydney.org NEWSLETTER COA’s Krygier Centre 25 Rowe Street, Woollahra, 2025 NSW Tel: 9389 0035 AH: 0413 731 717 Fax: 9369 3535 Email: coa@coasydney.org Web:www.coasydney.org HEALTH, SELF EXPRESSION AND THE JOY OF CREATIVITY It has long been known that being creative is lifeenhancing and nourishing for the spirit. During the September school holidays our regular Monday art class sprouted a youth group! Now we know the benefits go beyond the spiritual: recent studies have demonstrated that even when all the other variables are the same, older adults who participate in art programs have fewer doctor visits use less medication, experience a lower rate of depression, and fewer risk factors for entering a nursing home. The class was Working on a project using the art of Gustav Klimt as inspiration, and the works they produced are spectacular featuring Klimt’s signature use gold and silver leaf. The experience of being part of an art or craft session has many benefits to the individual: Recreation—Creating artwork is a pleasurable way to spend leisure time. Self-expression— The act of creating is a powerful way to share our lives with others. Socialisation—Art is a way of introducing ourselves to others. Friendships grow during cooperative projects, or just from working side by side and discussing each other's creations. On the first day of the school holidays one of our regular participants brought her grandkids along and they settled in on their own table straight away, using paints, glue and gold leaf to produce their own artworks. It made for such a lovely experience,. Intellectual stimulation— Communication through art media exercises the brain and promotes memory health. Emotional well-being—Participation in the arts has been shown to decrease stress and depression. It also promotes enhanced self-esteem. Our Monday morning art class is a vibrant and lively group. To join contact us on 9389 0035. We encourage all our members to bring grandchildren along to COA during their school holidays to join in the activities, classes and groups we have on offer. Please join us on Tuesday 16th December 2014 at 12 noon NCJW Fanny Reading Hall, 111 Queen St, Woollahra Enjoy a great social day out with your friends Live Music, Catered Lunch, Raffles, Dancing Booking Essential. Your booking form is enclosed. Members $35, Non Members $40. Page 1 LUACH / HOLIDAYS NOV-DEC 2014 Chanukah Erev Day 1 Day 8 KRYGIER CENTRE HAPPENINGS Rosh Hashanah Tuesday December 16 Wednesday December 17 Wednesday December 24 Xmas Day Thursday Public Holiday - COA closed December 25 Boxing Day Friday Public Holiday - COA closed December 26 Sydney Acrobatic School presents Jamakaze An amazing performance mix of yoga and acrobatics There are many culinary traditions for Rosh Hashanah but the most well known is dipping apple slices into honey to express our hope for a sweet new year. For those who visit us at COA’s Krygier Centre we shared this custom together a few days before Rosh Hashanah. Uncle Velvel Lederman made this special celebration come to life, singing a variety of songs in English, Yiddish and Hebrew, and blowing the “Big” Shofar for us. In Our Succah One of the mitzvoth of this special time is to share food and drink in the Succah and every year we offer nibbles and a small glass of wine, as well as the opportunity to make brachot over the Lulav and Etrog Wednesday 5th November 12:45-1:45 Only $3 Per Person Bring your grandkids to this very special event Coming Up @ COA Wednesday 5 November : “Jamakaze” See advert above for details. $3 per person Monday 10 November : Mount Sinai Students will entertain us with dance and song. Free Wednesday 19 November : Yiddish Day See advert on opposite page for details. Free Monday 5 November : Concert from Meera Belle See advert on opposite page for details. Free Monday 1 December : “Magnificent Japan” Armchair Traveller by Michael Freeland. Free Wednesday 10 December : Tony Mazell Sings favourite songs from the past. Free Monday 15 December : Pam Stein Storyteller Chanukah and other stories. Free Wednesday 31 December : End of Year Party!! with Andy Ginsburg and Dawn Shapiro. $3 per person Please see pages 4 and 5 for detailed program Page 2 This year we made sure all those members visiting COA on Mondays enjoyed celebrating these mitzvoth with the generous help of Rivki Shuhat of JEMS who was supported by her mother in law, a student of JEMS and Rivki’s two youngest children. Not only did they help with Lulav and Etrog, they came with costumes, danced and sang. Thank you to all those who made our Succot so special for COA’s members and friends. LEON SYMON - A PROFILE BY RUTH ROSEN Since its inception COA has always been about people helping people, seniors helping other seniors to live a full life, connected to community and getting services which help them stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Our primary service to the community is arranging home delivered kosher meals, delivered by a dedicated band of volunteers. For many years Leon Symon was one of those stalwart volunteers, delivering to our members rain, hail or shine, and bringing more than just a meal. home in Bondi where they brought up their three sons Julian, Michael and Philip. Always a keen sportsman, Leon played cricket for Sydney Judeans for 20 years. He started with Maccabi Club and he also umpired for Grade cricket, becoming a valued member of the NSW Cricket Umpires Association. He is also a life member of NAJEX. COA volunteer Leon Symon has been a man of many parts. He was born in Paddington in 1931, growing up Leon’s beloved Betty passed away in April 1994; not long after, Leon met Renee and they married in 1997. Bondi Junction and Coogee. He attended Waverley Since she passed away in 2004, Leon found a new Public School and later Cleveland Street High. partner in Sonia. They have been together for 8 years At age 15, Leon’s working life began in retail, and they love to travel. As Leon is now semi-retired, principally in Anthony Hordern’s and Ernie Lenn’s travel is high on their agenda. Disposal store in George Street in the City. He joined Leon came to COA after the loss of Renee and offered the Army Reserve in 1948 for five and a half years. to help in any capacity. He started with delivery of With all this experience, Leon opened his own Disposal Store right behind the Great Synagogue, and Kosher Meals, but he also provided huge assistance in obtaining funds for our cool-room, vital to the this was the start of Leon the businessman. operation of the Kosher Meals service. He later purchased Christies Umbrella store, and this Leon enjoyed driving and meeting new people and led Leon to another interesting business, making appreciated the time spent with COA. In return, COA military uniforms and designing medals for Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (now Vanuatu). has greatly appreciated and values Leon’s dedication to the COA on behalf of our frail and frail aged. His Leon met his wife to be Betty in 1953 and they retirement has created a gap in the ranks of COA married at the Great Synagogue. They made their volunteers that will be difficult to fill. Internationally Renowned Songstress Meera Belle Please join us for an exceptional free concert from “the Ruby Voice” Meera Belle as she presents The Magic of Doris Day Monday 24th November at 12:45 Page 3 Wednesday 19th November Lunch of “Yiddishe Favourites” at 12:00 Entertainment from 12:30 featuring Len Mahemoff MC and Talk: Yiddish Music With Shirley Politzer on Piano Esther Buncel Talk: 3 Famous Yiddish Writers Special Yiddish Language Screenings Seinfeld Episode A scene from Casablanca Page 4 COA MONDAY MONTH AT A GLANCE Lunch @ 12 TUESDAY Afternoon Tea @ 1:45 NOVEMBER 2014 WEDNESDAY Lunch @ 12 THURSDAY Afternoon Tea @ 1:45 FRIDAY 2 10-4 Table Tennis Book by Friday One more candle every night To remember the miracle of the oil To symbolise the precious frailty of the human condition To share our light with the world 3 Coffee Club/Art/Games 10-11 11-4:30 Table Tennis 11-11:45 Torah Shiur 11:30-12 Exercises 12:45 Movie Presentation: Highly acclaimed Isreali film with English subtitles “The Other Son” 4 10 10-11 11-4:30 11-11:45 11:30-12 11-11:45 12:45 11 Coffee Club/Art/Games Table Tennis Torah Shiur Exercises Torah Shiur Mount Sinai College Dancers and Singers 17 Coffee Club/Art/Games 10-11 11-4:30 Table Tennis 11-11:45 Torah Shiur 11:30-12 Exercises 12:45 The Lively 1920’s with Pete’s Pocket Orchestra 24 10-11 11-4:30 11-11:45 11:30-12 12:45 Coffee Club/Art/Games Table Tennis Torah Shiur Exercises Meera Belle presents “The Magic of Doris Day” 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group 18 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group 6pm Volunteer Thank You 25 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group SUNDAY Table Tennis Book by Friday 12 noon 5 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Yiddish Club 11 11:30-12 Exercise 12:45 Nick Djumin brings us Lively Favourites on violin French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 6 11-12 Exercise 12:30-5 Table Tennis 2-3 Current Affairs Discussion group 7 10-1 Rummy 9 10-4 Table Tennis Tiles Book by Friday 10-1 Bridge $5 1:30-4 Chess Club Instruction for 1:00-4:00 MOVIE $5 beginners Oklahoma! — A Rogers 6pm and Hammerstein musical Bondi Shule spectacular 12 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Yiddish Club 11 11:30-12 Exercise 12:45 “Beautiful Memories” with Ross Hamilton French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 13 11-12 Exercise 12:30-5 Table Tennis 2-3 Current Affairs Discussion group 14 10-1 Rummy YIDDISH DAY!! 19 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Yiddish Club 11 11:30-12 Exercise 12:00 Special Yiddish Lunch 12:30 Music, Talks, Yiddish Language Video (advert on pg3) French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 20 11-12 Exercise 12:30-5 Table Tennis 2-3 Current Affairs Discussion group 21 10-1 Rummy 26 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Yiddish Club 11 11:30-12 Exercise 12:45 Lively Favourites 20’s-50’s with Ron & Ros French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 27 11-12 Exercise 12:30-5 Table Tennis 2-3 Current Affairs Discussion group 16 10-4 Tiles 10-1 Bridge $5 Table Tennis Book by Friday Instruction for beginners 23 10-4 Table Tennis Book by Friday 10-1 Bridge $5 1:30-4 Chess Club Instruction for 1:00-4:00 MOVIE $5 beginners The American President 26 Featuring Michael Douglas Tiles and Annette Benning 28 10-1 Rummy Tiles 10-1 Bridge $5 Instruction for beginners 30 10-4 Table Tennis Book by Friday Page 5 COA MONDAY MONTH AT A GLANCE Lunch @ 12 TUESDAY Afternoon Tea @ 1:45 1 Coffee Club/Art/Games 10-11 10-4:30 Table Tennis 11-11:45 Torah Shiur 11:30-12 Exercises 12:45 Armchair Traveller: Michael Freeland shares his travels to “Magnificent Japan” 2 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group 8 10-11 10-4:30 11:30-12 12:45 9 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group Coffee Club/Art/Games Table Tennis Exercises Bingo & Bagels 15 Coffee Club/Art/Games 10-11 10-4:30 Table Tennis 11:30-12 Exercises 12:45 Pam Stein brings us Chanukah and Other Stories 16 First Night Chanukah 22 Coffee Club/Art/Games 10-11 10-4:30 Table Tennis 11-11:45 Torah Shiur 11:30-12 Exercises 12:45 Chanukiah with Rabbi Ingram and Chanukah Music with Miri Orden 23 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group 29 Coffee Club/Art/Games 10-11 10-4:30 Table Tennis 11-11:45 Torah Shiur 11:30-12 Exercises 12:45 Armchair Traveller: Sandy Matrai shares her photos from “Timeless Kakadu” 30 9:45-1:30 Bus Outing $3 10-1:30 Table Tennis 10-1 Bridge 2-4 Knitting Group DECEMBER 2014 WEDNESDAY Lunch @ 12 THURSDAY Afternoon Tea @ 1:45 3 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Yiddish Club 11 11:33-12 Exercise 12:45 European Musical Tour With the fabulous Mercedes French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 4 11-12 Exercise 12:30-5 Table Tennis 2-3 Current Affairs Discussion group 10 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Yiddish Club 11 11:33-12 Exercise 12:45 Great Songs of the Past with Tony Mazell French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 11 11-12 Exercise 12:30-5 Table Tennis 2-3 Current Affairs Discussion group 17 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games COA’s Annual Yiddish Club 11 Chanukah Luncheon 11:33-12 Exercise 12:45 The wonderful Ladies Choir Concert from the North Shore Shul At NCJW. Book your seat or The Singing Treatts make up a table of friends French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 2-3 Dominic Sepe French / Tai Chi $3 31 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Yiddish Club 11 11:33-12 Exercise 12:45 End of Year Party!! Featuring Andy Ginsburg and Dawn Schapiro $3 per person French / Tai Chi $3 2-3 SUNDAY Table Tennis Book by Friday 12 noon 5 10-1 Rummy 7 10-4 Tiles 10-1 Bridge $5 Table Tennis Book by Friday Instruction for beginners 6pm Bondi Shule 12 10-1 Rummy Tiles 10-1 Bridge $5 Instruction for beginners 14 10-4 Table Tennis Book by Friday 1:30-4 Chess Club 1:00-4:00 MOVIE $5 The Red Shoes—Ballet, love and jealousy in this well loved cinema classic 18 11-12 Exercise 12:30-5 Table Tennis 2-3 Current Affairs Discussion group 24 25 10-11 Coffee Club/ Board Games Xmas Day Yiddish Club 11 Public Holiday 11:33-12 Exercise COA Closed 12:45 Chanukiah with Rabbi Ingram and talented Italian Singer Pianist FRIDAY 19 10-1 Rummy 21 10-4 Tiles 10-1 Bridge $5 Table Tennis Book by Friday Instruction for beginners 26 Boxing Day Public Holiday COA Closed 28 10-4 Table Tennis Book by Friday 1:30-4 Chess Club 1:00-4:00 OPERETTA $5 The Court Jester— Starring the inimitable Danny Kaye TABLEY ABESHOUSE - IN MEMORIUM It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of humour. In her own words of one of our stalwart volunteers—Tabley Abeshouse. from 1999 “It’s being so cheerful that keeps me going”. Tabley was one of our longest serving volunteers and As a volunteer Tabley was working with us well into her late 80’s. She was was generous, caring and paired with driver Simon Judah and together these indefatigable. two very tall people would fold themselves into a tiny We have a great love and car and travel around the Eastern suburbs delivering respect for Tabley and her meals to our members. many years of work with us. These two never missed a shift! When Simon stopped Although she has not been a driving, Tabley continued her volunteer role in the volunteer with us for some time we will not forget her kosher meals office helping with clerical work. passionate commitment to the community and to our Tabley had an amazing attitude, and a delicious sense organisation. OUR FIRST MEAL IN THE COA’S CAFÉ On the first day of spring we enjoyed our first lunch in the Café. It was so pleasant to be out in the sunshine. Rabbi Ingram was with us for his Monday morning Shiur and helped us by leading a rousing Shehechiyanu! Since its unofficial opening we have been taking every opportunity to enjoy the Café, gathering there for lunch, games, coffee and our daily stretching. Kol Ha’Kavod to our president George Freund for his hard work creating this lovely out-door space for all our members to enjoy. OUR CEO JULIA’S HOLIDAY : PART 1 - THE JEWISH GHETTO IN VENICE From September to October I took a month to visit relatives and tour around Europe. Part of the trip was spent in Venice, where I visited to the very first Jewish ghetto. numerous bridges and surrounded by canals. When Napoleon arrived in 1797 the ghetto was disbanded and Jews were allowed to live freely anywhere in Venice. There are now approximately 400 Jews living in Venice, located in the old ghetto area are two As a port city, Venice was host Synagogues (Ashkenazi and Sephardi), a kosher to many Jewish traders since restaurant named the earliest days of the city. Gam Gam and a However, in 1516 the Jews of Jewish Home for Venice were forced into the the Aged world’s very first ghetto. The (pictured here). area was formerly a foundry that produced cannons, and Unfortunately I “geto” is the name for a couldn’t enjoy a foundry in the old Venetian meal in the dialect. restaurant as it was closed the The ghetto is situated on its own island in Venice, which is really a series of man made islands joined by day I visited. Page 6 FOR YOUR BODY AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND WHAT M AKES A KOSHER CHANUKIAH?? Regular exercise can help you stay independent as you age, promotes faster recovery from illness, reduced risk of chronic disease and management of conditions such as osteoarthritis. Before you design an exercise routine consider the following points. The Chanukiah is a Menorah which is used exclusively at Chanukah, and therefore differs just a little from the average Menorah. Choose activities you find interesting and manageable. You are more likely to stick to an exercise routine if it’s fun. Check with your doctor before you start a new exercise routine. Some activities may not be appropriate if you have been sedentary for a long time or suffer from a chronic illness. Make exercise a social event. Do your exercise in a public spot like a park or beach and invite friends to join you, or sign up for a class so you can meet new people while getting fit. Improve your flexibility. Try yoga, stretching classes, lawn bowls or dancing. The basic element of the Chanukiah is that it has spaces for nine candles (rather than the usual seven), that is eight candle holders in a row, and one more set higher or lower than the rest for the Shamash (attendant) candle. The eight candle holders should ideally be in a straight line, even if the line is at an angle, so that the Shamash stands out clearly. The Chanukiah should also be “beautiful”. So yes, you can go for a traditional silver candelabra style Chanukiah, something more modern, or something whimsical, or you can enjoy making a Chanukiah yourself which the family can decorate together. Wishing you all a delightful “festival of lights”. Look after your bones. Weight-bearing exercise reduces your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis. Improve your heart and lung fitness. As a general rule, aim for activity that means you breathe hard but are not left feeling breathless. Reduce your risk of falls. Include some balance and coordination exercises in your weekly exercise routine. Good options include tai chi, balancing on one leg and heel to toe stands. Build exercise into your daily routine. Walk to the shops or bus, spend more time in the garden or offer to walk a neighbour’s dog. Don’t forget to include COA when you plan your exercise routine. We offer a Tai Chi class on Wednesday, a Gentle Stretching class on Thursday, Chair based stretching exercises on Monday and Wednesday before lunch, and Table Tennis 6 days a week by appointment. For enquiries on any of our groups, or to book Table Tennis for yourself or a group of friends, call COA on 9389 0035 Page 7 Change Your Life in 2015 Join COA’s Volunteer Outreach Team We are seeking friendly, caring, outgoing people to join the volunteer teams providing: Kosher Meals Delivery Phone a Friend weekly telephone monitoring Tea for 2 visitors at home Hospital Visiting for members who are ill Candle Lighting for Jewish Residents at Non -denominational nursing homes  Shopping Program for those with mobility issues      Call us today to find out how you can get involved with your community—9389 0035 RACHEL’S BUCKET LIST BY RACHEL LAZAROV Being blind and a double amputee puts limits on the things I can do, but not many. One early morning in May, I had a wish come true. I had always wanted to go jet skiing at Bondi Beach. Say what you want, call me crazy, that’s what I wanted to do. Robbie, my friend, rang me the day before and asked me, “Are we really doing it?”. I had a few doubts about if I could physically do it. I was unsure if I should try it. I had so many questions, but I trusted him and knew I was in good hands. After all we did the city to surf together and Robby understands my need to try everything. So I thought for a second and said “Hell Yes”. Next day I found myself on Bondi Beach with my wheelchair and five good looking lifeguards. From my wheelchair I transferred to the beach wheelchair, then they pushed me across the sand to the water. Robbie took my hand and showed me the jet ski which was pretty high. Before I knew I was lifted onto the jet ski and was very comfortable between Jesse, the driver, and Robbie behind me. Sandwiched between two good looking guys. What else could you wish for?! Jesse said, “Hold me tight ” and off we went. I didn’t Genie Joke A lady rubbed a bottle and a genie popped out. “You have one wish” said the genie. “Hey” countered the lady “I thought I get three wishes?” “Not from me” said the genie “I’m not that powerful.” “OK” responded the lady taking out a map, “I am making a wish for peace between Israel and… .” The Genie interrupted “Look, hey, I’m really sorry, but I�m not that powerful.” “OK” said the lady, “instead I’ll have a cool, good looking, caring man, who loves children, and shopping and cooking and...“ The genie interrupted “Alright….. let me see that map again.” know what to expect. First we started slowly then I heard Jesse say, “Here comes the wave”. I was screaming and laughing at the same time. The salty water on my face reminded me that it had been 12 years since I’d been in the water. Tears were rolling down my cheek and Robbie asked if I was OK. I cry when I’m happy. It confuses people. “I’m very much OK”. I replied. I was just so very emotional and exited. Next thing I heard Robbie say we were in Bronte. so I said “it wasn’t rough enough.” So Jesse said “Hold on I’ll give you rough”. He spun us around and I found myself on top of a wave and I felt more water on me. I felt so confident that I told Jesse to leave me here so I could swim a bit and Jesse said “this is the ocean not a swimming pool”. So when I got back they took me off the jet ski and let me swim in the waves and that was difficult. I forgot to shut my mouth and I drank some salt water. He was right, it’s not a swimming pool. When I got back into my wheelchair Sheron, my caring friend, took me to the change room. I thought what can I do to let them know how much they had touched my life. So Robbie suggested a milkshake. We got some milkshakes and celebrated together. Jesse said that it was a pleasure to take me. I think, don’t let your disability stop you from fulfilling your dreams. Anything is possible, if you believe, you can do it. With the love & help of friends it is possible. In a Medical Emergency Call HATZOLAH 9371 2222 Shabbat Services at Krygier Centre First Friday of the Month from 6pm Run by Rabbi Mendel Kastel Next Services: September 5th October 24th as part of “the Shabbat Project” Everyone Welcome COA is Funded by: Department of Social Services (DSS and HACC); Claims Conference; Local Councils and Generous Individuals COA is a Member of: Jewish Communal Appeal’s Family of Organisations, Jewish Board of Deputies, NSW Meals on Wheels Association of NSW, Carers NSW Inc, Ethnic Communities Council NSW and Volunteering NSW COA Partners with: B’nai B’rith, Jewish House, Hatzolah, Jewish Care
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