OWN CORRESPONDENT
At its 124th AGM held in Johannesburg last Thursday, JWBS chairperson Maureen Disler, said the JWBS will move forward into the future while making a difference that matters. They will continue to look after the well-being and ease the plight of so many in the community “who are so much less fortunate than ourselves”.
Making a difference is not a simple feat, she pointed out. It requires the commitment of tireless and dedicated volunteers and considerable funding.
JWBS President Natalie Koren, received her 60-year award for long service, while June Berger and Rosa Barnett each received their 50 year awards. The contribution these three ladies have made to the community has been significant, Disler said.
These three epitomise the commitment of JWBS volunteers, their kindness, care and compassion always evident.
Disler added that raising funds in today’s economic climate is not easy and the JWBS is ever grateful for the generosity of their magnanimous sponsors.
“They have enabled us to host a variety of, innovative, worthwhile and exciting fundraisers, including a breakfast with Paulo Santo, wonderful chef and restaurateur; a breakfast with (political commentator and columnist) Justice Malala and a third poker evening held in October,” she said.
“These fundraisers have enabled us to meet our financial obligations. As stated by Michael Sieff, joint CEO of the Chevra Kadisha, ‘the Benevolent shares the care.’. Our goal is to continue doing so.”
Guest speaker for the morning, Bev Pokroy, social worker at Our Parents Home, spoke about “The Aged and Abuse of the Aged”, describing them as a marginalised community, vulnerable, yet full of wisdom.
She encouraged the audience to love older people and keep them active. She ended her talk with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”
As the JWBS moves into its 125th year, it pledged its intent on “moving with the times, continuing to make a difference to the community in a way that is progressive, inspiring and vital”.
