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26 HASHALOM February
2017
February 2017
HASHALOM
27
Beth Shalom has enjoyed wonderful entertainment at the Home recently. We were very
blessed to have Cantor Areyah Leib Hurwitz come and entertain our residents with his
wonderful voice, which was thoroughly enjoyed.
The residents appreciated the UJW Mitzvah Day which was held on the 27TH November
2016. Wonderful entertainment was planned and everyone was rock and rolling to the
wonderful music being played. Our Beth Shalom staff sang under the supervision of Sr.
Winnie. Lovely treats and eats were enjoyed. Beth Shalom is also extremely grateful for the
lovely contribution of food items which were delivered to the Home from the community on
behalf of the UJW Mitzvah Day. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Members of Project Ten from Israel enjoyed interacting with our residents on the 23rd
November 2016 for a game of “Speed Dating”. This was so much fun and 20 of our residents
attended and had such fun with the youth. This was the topic of conversation for a few days
and everyone so enjoyed this activity. So we are hoping for more successful evenings with
the young group of ladies and men.
Residents (and I), did the Big Walk for Stroke Awareness which is run yearly by Tafta.
Unfortunately it was cancelled due to theweather. However a fewof the residents thoroughly
enjoyed the outing and we did our own walk and then went for a lovely tea at Circus Circus
and luckily for us the sun came out.
Beth Shalom held the Long Service Awards on the 23rd November. This was a lovely afternoon
where 10 staff members were presented with awards as well as Shirley Bell our Administrator,
who retired at the end of December 2016. We all wish her farewell and hope that she has a good
retirement. Shirley has been working at the Home for 33 years and has given loyal service to the
Organization. Connie Swart has taken over Shirley’s position as the Administrator at the Home.
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Sylvia Collins
By Norma Bloch
COMMUNITY NEWS
Eden College
The sweet melodious voices of the preschool pupils singing their repertoire of Hebrew songs wafted through the school on
the 23rd of November. The informal ring was attended by parents and grandparents who proudly watched and attentively
listened to their children. Well done to Mrs. Julie Levy for her dedication and commitment.
On the 2nd of December the Judaica prize givingwas held. The ceremony beganwith the primary school pupils demonstrating
how they celebrate Shabbat each week. The traditional songs were interspersed with songs and poems explaining each part
of the service. The pupils sang with gusto and enthusiasm and everyone enjoyed this happy display. This was followed by a
power point presentation from the high school pupils, outlining the functions of the festivals celebrated throughout the year.
Finally, the well deserving pupils received their awards and trophies.
Below are just a few of the awards presented:
• Head of Judaica and Union of Jewish Women Gemilut Chasadim award - Gabriel Marks
• KNZC award - Aidan Francis.
• DHSA award -Daniel Van Rooyen.
Residents : Josie Woolf, Olga, Audrey Levy, Avril Binks
Rhona Alexio, Sharon, Leah Maserow, Stella Abrahams
(a volunteer), Mavis and Dr Elaine Goldberg.
Residents enjoying tea at Circus Circus after the big walk
EULOGY FOR MR ERNEST AARON:
Ernie was a “larger than Life” character – a big man with a big heart and an off-beat kind of British humour. Born in Manchester, England on
the 21st May, 1922, he was 94 years old this year. He was the third child of 4. His eldest brother, with whom Ernie was very close, joined
up and was killed soon after in the world war. His sister lived to be 101 and died about 2 years ago and he was always very close to his
youngest brother, Joe, sister-in-law Celia and their family – all in Manchester. His brother is 86 and although quite well is no longer able to
travel unfortunately. Ernie joined the Royal Air Force when he was about 18 years of age, during the war and served throughout the war
years. He was sent to several countries and then during the latter years of the war, his unit were sent to guard the Cape in South Africa.
That’s when he fell in love with South Africa and decided to make this country his home after the war. He had an unsuccessful marriage
and subsequent divorce and then a good marriage to Daphne, his wife for 48 years. Having had “The Gift of the Gab” and good personality
– he spent most of his life in sales as a representative for clothing and specialised Footwear and even successfully designed some himself.
Ernie became a very good golfer and often organised Charity Days and weekends, regularly at the Swazi Spa and other upmarket venues.
Golf was his PASSION – he really loved the game. His wife Daphne became very ill and was confined to a wheelchair and they then moved
into Beth Shalom in about 2003 or 2004. The Late Myron Ponovka was very fond of Ernie and as Ernie could sing very beautifully, Myron
arranged Karaoke evenings once a year, where Ernie would take over as compere and singer and get everyone participating. Ernie was
by nature a jovial person, loved to make people smile or laugh – not everyone understood his wacky humour, but he could never stand
anything morbid and could not understand people who did not smile readily. Ernie had a great love of music and for the last 10 years he
played records at Beth Shalom, once a week, which he started mainly for the residents of frail care as he thought it would be therapeutic
and he often went up to frail care and sang his signature tune – “When You’re Smiling – When You’re Smiling The Whole World Smiles
with You …” and their faces would light up and often sing along with him. Ernie also had a soft and sensitive nature which he tried hard to
hide and was always very touched by any kindness shown towards him. He was always so grateful for all the kindness and care given to
him in Beth Shalom. After Ernie’s beloved wife passed away a few months prior to the passing of Audrey Levy’s beloved husband, Lenny’s
passing away – they met and a loving and inseparable friendship, deep sincere love and companionship developed for the last 10 years.
Ernie, although blind in one eye and only partial sight in the other he still read, with his old spectacles, the newspapers, Jewish Reports and
books of historical facts and the National Geographic Magazines. Ernie was always, the one to give a “Vote of Thanks for the Staff” for any
function at Beth Shalom or to announce a function.
You will be very sadly missed and fondly remembered – Ernie rest now in love and peace.