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June 18, 2004
It's about aiding others
JWIC-BC lunch honors Boraks-Nemetz and Levitt.
JANNETTE EDMONDS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
It was all about the children and the less-than-fortunate at this
year's 14th annual Jewish Women International of Canada, B.C. Chapter
(JWIC-BC) Rainbow luncheon held recently at the Richmond Country
club.
From the beautifully decorated table centerpieces which were really
gift packages for the food bank, to the emphasis on the Noah's Ark
project, a program providing for the needs of newborns, it was all
about helping others.
No strangers to helping others were this year's two honorees, Gisella
(Gisi) Levitt and Lillian Boraks-Nemetz, who remarked on how inspired
she was by the JWIC-BC's focus on "repairing children's lives"
as "some children have nightmares when they are awake."
As a child survivor of the Holocaust, and now an award-winning author,
teacher and Holocaust educator, Boraks-Nemetz said she remembers
well a child's living nightmares – her own. "I can never
forget the loneliness, hunger, the brunt of abuse from strangers
and the fear that at any moment if I did anything wrong, I could
die."
She said she felt honored to be acknowledged by JWIC-BC as "a
society cannot function without people who are dedicated to helping
the needy, like the JWIC who have their many projects to help repair
children's lives."
One such project singled out for praise and recognition by guest
speaker Dr. Lynn Simpson, was Noah's Ark. "I have delivered
thousands of babies," she said, "and because of all that
I have seen, I am acutely aware that not all babies are born equal."
She thanked JWIC-BC for its work and cited examples of those who
have benefited from it – from addicted mothers who have given
birth to malnourished and addicted babies, to those working poor
who are just trying to make ends meet and are overjoyed to receive
a car seat, a crib or other essentials they are not able to provide
for themselves.
Caring for those in need is an important credo of the other honoree,
Gisi Levitt, who thanked her "very large family" as she
accepted the award. Over the years she has volunteered for many
organizations-the Jewish Federation, B.C. Holocaust Society, Hillel
and Shalom B.C. to name a few. She has also served in many capacities
for JWIC-BC where she has been a long-time member.
"Community defines us," she said. "Our mitzvot [are]
carried out to strengthen community. When we give of our time and
our resources, they make connective bonds that strengthen us all."
JWIC national president, Freda Gottesman-Brender was on hand from
Toronto to speak on behalf of the organization. She called it one
that is "driven by Jewish values, where we create an environment
for women to engage in learning and activism... We strive to end
the cycle of violence through education, advocacy and action."
She congratulated both honorees, calling them "role models."
A special presentation, not on the program for an obvious reason,
was the award given to a surprised Peter Dacher for more than 40
years of publishing and helping with the yearly programs, as well
as all his work for the community. Event organizer Sara Ciacci held
up a program Dacher had printed for their first luncheon and thanked
him for all his help over the years. "I don't even have to
go to his office anymore," she laughed. "He comes to my
house."
Rounding out the event was musical entertainment by local vocalists
Lisa Ehrlich and Alia Rosenstock, accompanied by Perry Ehrlich.
JWIC-BC is involved in many projects such as the food bank, a residential
treatment centre in Israel and the Noah's Ark project, which operates
out of St. Paul's Hospital and BC Women and Children's Hospital.
Through their Street Feet and Healthy Smiles for the Homeless projects,
socks and dental hygiene products are distributed to those in need.
For more information or to become involved, call 604-838-5567.
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