Working together to support our members:  Solel’s Mitzvah Committee and Women of Solel

As I reflect on the many volunteers, committees and groups that make Solel the valued community that we are, I want to acknowledge our huge appreciation for the work done by our Solel Mitzvah Committee*. I also want to acknowledge the recent collaborative initiative taken by Women of Solel** in supporting the work of the Mitzvah Committee.

Many of our Mitzvah Committee members are Solel seniors who have served on this committee for decades. Under the leadership of Marlene Tash, the Committee fosters connection and community at Solel, by:

• Making regular Shabbat calls to Solel members who are living alone, not well, or simply in a situation where they would appreciate a friendly telephone call,
• Sending Mazal tov letters for simchas and milestone 80th or 85th birthdays,
• Purchasing trees from the JNF to honour 90th birthdays or to commemorate the memory of a deceased member,
• Attending Shivas or funerals for community members, when possible, and
• Being available to provide other acts of kindness and caring.

Before COVID-19, the Committee typically met during the day as many of its members no longer drive at night. During the pandemic, they started meeting by Zoom, and kept in touch between meetings by phone. While more recently they have been able to resume periodic friendly get-togethers during the daytime, these have been more in the nature of social get-togethers as they are mindful about not using group situations to discuss members’ private information.

The Committee has also been challenged in their ability to make regular in-person visits and bring meals to people as they were able to do in the past. However, following the recent annual Women of Solel meeting, 15 individuals stayed back to bake rugelach and brownies in the Solel kitchen, which they then packaged with additional treats that some of the group prepared in advance. Five Women of Solel members*** then delivered 28 beautifully packed gift packages, each adorned with a lovely, personalized gift tag.

The group observed that we have several individuals who due to age and/or physical issues have felt very isolated over the past few years. COVID-19 certainly didn’t help, but the group will have further discussions with the Mitzvah committee to see if there are ways to match more active Solelniks with these individuals to provide some regular in-person contact. The Mitzvah committee heard from recipients how much they appreciated the kindness and concern. The Solel community appreciated the kindness as well. If you are reading this and have some time to help, please reach out to Marlene Tash or Women of Solel.

My personal thanks go to all who have been part of these initiatives, and we look forward to seeing you and hearing more about the work you do when we gather in person or over livestream for our Solel@50 Erev Shabbat service on March 1 to recognize all our invaluable Solel volunteers.

John

* Solel Mitzvah Committee: Ann Bobker, Bram Pagrach, Debby Bercovich, Diane Adler, Eva Romberg, Freya Kendal, Harold Portnoy, Harriet Kornbluth, Lea Haller, Marlene Tash (Chair), Nicole Coen and Shirley Evans. Our continued appreciation also goes to the recently deceased members: Gerry Willis and Marilyn Block.

* Solel Mitzvah Committee: Ann Bobker, Bram Pagrach, Debby Bercovich, Diane Adler, Eva Romberg, Freya Kendal, Harold Portnoy, Harriet Kornbluth, Lea Haller, Marlene Tash (Chair), Nicole Coen and Shirley Evans. Our continued appreciation also goes to the recently deceased members: Gerry Willis and Marilyn Block.

** Women of Solel:
President: Jayne Temple, Member at Large, Marcy Binsky (new), Vice President: Diane Farber (new), Bingo Liaison: Chris Hannon, Treasurer: Rita Halporn, Social Action: Andrea Galambos, Secretary: Jane Neveloff

*** Jayne Temple, Rita Halporn, Jane Neveloff, Andrea Galambos and Sherri Amar packaged and delivered the 28 packages. Miriam Schoeman designed the gift tag.

Filed under: President's Message

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