Lifestyle/Community
Happy birthday to our little sister
Not many families can boast a constructive and co-operative “sibling” relationship spanning 121 years. But Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society (JWBS), which is five years younger than the Chev, has been a great little sister to the Chev – no quarrels, no rivalry!
MICHAEL SIEFF
From its earliest days, when Jewish immigrants were arriving in South Africa, the organisation worked side by side with the Chev, contributing towards financial relief: providing needy families (concentrating their efforts mostly on women and children) with clothing and household items; helping Jewish students and supporting senior citizens.
Today, our relationship with JWBS remains firmly intact.
For starters, their offices are located within Sandringham Gardens and they have their clothing depot (their first one was established in 1904) on our campus. The depot is run by voluntary workers and open three mornings a week.
Chev welfare recipients are given clothing requisitions to enable them to “shop” there while the rest of their needs are provided directly by the Chev.
JWBS also has representation at our weekly Chev Case Committee meetings where welfare distributions and client support are presented for approval.
Their 55 Club was established, coincidentally, about 55 years ago to provide companionship and entertainment for senior citizens. It still meets every Tuesday and Thursday for a three-course luncheon in our succah at Sandringham Gardens.
About 50 senior citizens attend these events and a guest speaker, or other form of entertainment, is invariably arranged. We sponsor and host several members of the 55 Club at Sandringham Gardens for Rosh Hashanah and Pesach.
Working closely with the Chev’s Community Social Services division, JWBS’s Befrienders Group consists of volunteers who render important personal services to lonely and homebound people. These Befrienders offer companionship and assist people with shopping, transport to hospitals and other kindnesses.
As JWBS approaches their 121st AGM this month, we celebrate their remarkable milestone and congratulate them! We also acknowledge them – with respect and appreciation – for their dedicated hard work and commitment to the community.
Way to go Sis!
May our partnership continue to thrive!