Marilyn Anthony
It was a very Happy Chanukah Monday night for the Jewish Friendship Group (JFG) as 93 people gathered for lighting the candles, playing with dreidels, eating chocolate gelt without the guilt, and spending time with old and new friends. Our mixed seating idea is really paying off, helping everyone feel welcome and included.
We enjoyed yummy potato latkes, brisket, and warm apple cobbler with homemade whipped cream. It was bittersweet saying goodbye and thanking the departing members of our board, Marilyn Anthony, Sue Berman and Sherry Marmorstein, for all their hard work. They did a great job and are much appreciated. Our new board, with Sandy Rosen and Eileen Zelmanov as co-presidents, was introduced.
Best of all was the generosity of our members bringing toys for the children at the Tucson Medical Center. The back of Sandy Rosen’s SUV was completely filled. Once again, it was overwhelming to see all the donations, and the JFG thanks all of you for your generosity.
The November Ladies Coffee was hosted by Hara Lipman, a relatively new member of the JFG. It was a lovely, intimate, indoor event with conversation not only in small groups, but as a single unit, which was most informative and interesting for all of us. Our thanks to Hara for opening her home and introducing us to the delicious baked goods of the new bakery in Catalina.
Our December Coffee was postponed until Dec. 27 at the home of Marilyn Anthony (and there will be a report next month on the rye bread!).
The December book club took place at the home of Rhoda Kaplan who presented a complex book, House on Troubled Waters, by Emuna Elon. Set in Amsterdam in the present, it jumps back and forth in time to untangle the life of the protagonist. The discussion was very wide ranging, both about the style of the book and the content, with almost unanimous praise for it.
The book for January was nonfiction The Last Kings of Shanghai, which documents the two main Jewish immigrant families to China and their impact on that country, while giving a wide-ranging historical picture of life there. The meeting took place on Jan. 12 at the home of Melanie Einbund, and the discussion was led by Sam Horowitz.
Jewish Trivia will return in the new year on Jan. 24 in the Vermillion Room of SaddleBrooke One. Watch for more details in the Bulletin, and start studying now!
Our spring (we hope!) Potluck is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, at the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center, so mark your calendars now for that well-attended event.
The JFG welcomes anyone interested in identifying with the Jewish community here in SaddleBrooke. For more information, please contact Marilyn Anthony at [email protected].