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Chairman’s Message
Dear Friends,
As I write this article, there is a fragile ceasefire holding in the Middle East. It is good that Israelis are not having to run to shelters, but I don’t see any forthcoming resolution to the situation in the immediate future. However, our organisation is still holding excellent events, many of which are very well attended, and I hope that this will continue with the lectures and other events that we will be putting on in September and October. In addition, there will be one excellent tiyul, in early October.
Before I go into the events in the forthcoming two months, I must mention our Campaign, which has already commenced. In order that the organisation can continue to provide what our membership community needs, it is vitally important that our annual Campaign is successful. To that end, I urge you all to give generously, so that we can balance our accounts at the end of the year. Your co-operation in this will be much appreciated.
We start with Dr. Lisel Badach on September 6th (morning lecture) on the subject of Alternative or Conventional Medicines – Conflict or Co-Operation? How to Choose? This looks to be interesting and different.
Harvey Bordowitz returns on the evening of September 6th with another musical lecture, which is sure to be as stunning as always. This time it will be Strike Up the Band! Great Overtures. Frequently, overtures are just considered a minor introduction to the main musical performance. However, overtures are excellent musical productions in themselves, as I am certain Harvey will be explaining with Beethoven, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet and many other composers.
Our Rosh Hashana L’Chaim and Volunteer of the Year Award afternoon will be on September 8th. Everyone is invited to attend this event, which is always lively and exciting.
Our annual Memorial Service will be on the morning of September 15th. This is held between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur each year. It is a time for us to look back and remember those who are no longer with us, and at the same time, look forward to the coming year. I will be leading this and my good friend, Rabbi David Woolf, will then give a D’var Torah and lead a ceremony mentioning members and family members who have passed away during the past year.
Rami Sherman, who was actively involved in the Entebbe raid (he was on the mission itself), Operation Yonatan, will be talking to us on September 15th about the 50th anniversary of this rescue mission and how there are many connections to the October 7th Hamas infiltration and mega-atrocity. This will be a very important lecture, and I am hoping that there will be a very large attendance.
There will be an introductory meeting for the new academic year for the English Tutors in Netanya schools on the morning of September 22nd. If there are any members who would like to become involved with this excellent programme, please attend this meeting.
Come and join us at the YINN Sukkah on September 30th for a festive look about how cheese is made and be sure to taste a few samples, together with their wine pairings, at our Artisan Cheese Experience in the Sukkah with “Hanan Hagaban the Cheesemaker”.
Moving into October, and back by popular demand, we will once again be holding a four-week workshop, Keeping Your Memory Strong presented by Talia Gittler-Aronowitz on each of the four Mondays in October.
Our counsellor Yanina Musnikow will be informing us about Senior Discounts & Benefits on October 11th which will help the relevant age group save a few Shekels. This is a morning lecture and will also be available on Zoom.
Netanya AACI member Dr Roby Simons will be giving a lecture about the Abandoned Buildings in Netanya on October 11th. This is an unusual subject, and very intriguing.
Café Netanya will present the Stirling Austin Trio on October 18th. This will include “Acoustic Legends” – Iconic Singers and Classics of the 60s and 70s. We are expecting another spectacular concert.
Mark Gordon and David Harris will be giving a lecture on Travels, Tales & Take-Offs: Adventures from the Jerusalem Post Travel Podcast on October 25th. This will be an entertaining and inspiring journey around the world with two people with decades of international broadcasting and travel journalism experience.
Following the commencement of our new Chug, Bridge for Beginners, we will be holding a Bridge Tournament on October 26th. All levels are welcome. Good luck to you all!
Finally, on our Tiyul, which will be on October 21st, we will travel to the Gaza Border, Nova and Sderot. This will be a guided journey of remembrance. It was held last year and many members who were unable to participate asked for it to be run again. The date of this is as close as we could get to the anniversary of the tragic events of October 7th, 2023.
On behalf of the whole organisation, I wish you Shana Tova and well over the fast of Yom Kippur, and a very inspiring Sukkot, all of which are from mid-September through to early October. Have a healthy and happy New Year.
Personal Notes
I made aliya from London in 2008. I became Chairman of the organization in 2012 and completed my term in 2016. I was on the Executive of Netanya AACI continuously from 2010 until 2022, in the various roles – Vice Chair, Treasurer and Financial Secretary.
When Melissa Dubinsky and Paulette Woolf completed their four-year term as Co-Chairs in 2024, I was elected once again as Chairman.
We have a wonderful organization, a caring community centre for English speakers, and we cater to all the needs of the English-speaking community. One of our key facilities is the Library, with over 7,000 books. This is the most used department in Netanya AACI. We also have a mobile library for those members who can no longer visit the building.
We put on lectures, musical events, various chugim, exercise classes and tiyulim. We have a Counsellor who provides excellent advice to our members on a range of topics related to living in Israel.
We send out a weekly eNews with upcoming events, and we publish a magazine on a bi-monthly basis.
We also have an excellent website where you will find, and be able to book for, listings for programs, lectures, trips, exercise classes, social activities and much more.
Netanya AACI offers resources for both long-time members and new Olim, including those considering making Netanya their home.
So, the next time you’re in the area, I encourage you to stop in and visit with us. We’ll give you a cup of tea, introduce you to our wonderful volunteers and hopefully convince you to become involved with our warm community.
Kind regards,
Hilton Share