From the Editor 188

April 2020 February 2017 ESRA News

Our cover features local songwriter Loretta Weinberger who whilst on the ESRA bus trip home from Eilat heard from Pres. Donald Trump that he wanted to play her song "Gotta keep America singing" at his inauguration. Congratulations Loretta.

There are other stories of wonderful people: ESRA's 17 award-winning 2016 volunteers; 19-year old Guy Firer, a world skateboard champion; Cynthia Shapiro and her great contribution to our Raanana 2^nd hand bookstore; E.Z. Rinsky, a budding crime writer; Sonia Levy writing poetry at 89; the late Joseph Harmatz, once a partisan, who created outstanding educational institutions for Ort; remarkable cardiologist Ami Sheinfeld who volunteered weekly in Sderot traveling long hours (this was a film shown at ESRA's Cinema Club where you view moving Israeli true documentaries on a regular basis).

I love the stories uncovering our Jewish history. This magazine has glimpses into the Jews of Scotland, Algeria, the Far East, and Sicily. And, if we are looking back read about ESRA's beginnings in Modiin twenty years ago and life in Mitspe Ramon in the 1960's.

You are in for a treat with LOGON'S Annie, the Sharon Players' Sitting Pretty, Gil Shohat regaling us with his piano recital in Herzliya, and ESRA in Tel Aviv's new lecture series on The Virtual Armchair Tours of European Museums. For an uplifting experience go to a performance of Rana Choir where Arab and Jewish women sing together in harmony. Read about a festival of Jewish music and theater in Prague featuring the works of Czech Jewish composers many of whom perished in the Holocaust.

Other pleasures include visiting Bet Shearim in the Lower Galilee, Israel's latest Heritage site; an airforce base; and when in London The Foundling Museum which housed young orphans, including Charles Dickens; or go to Morocca with Eddie and ESRA on a kosher tour. For eating out you'll find a good Italian restaurant in The Ten Great Places of Gusto Italiano, or wonderful cocktails in Tel Aviv's bar list; and if you prefer entertaining at home bake for your guests Nitzan's Apple Pie Cookies.

Read about our annual ESRA Quiz and our fundraising event – this year was Achinoam Nini – to whet your appetites for these events next year. So many other ESRA events you can take part in all over the country – lectures, trips, hikes, get-togethers, book clubs, Nordic Walking, knitting groups – You'll find them in our Events pages and in reports throughout this magazine.

Share the saga of an American immigrant and his tribulations in acquiring an Israeli driving license; or how Barbara Grant coped with a broken leg; or with growing older with Donald Silverberg.

If you need guidance on US – Israel tax issues, there are two articles on this subject on what to do, and on the Israeli law.

A great easy idea to raise moneys for ESRA's community projects – an ESRA Tzedka box at your dinner parties for your guests to donate instead of bring you guests. Inge David did it very successfully at her Thanksgiving dinner.

Lots to offer you in ESRA – enjoy.

About the author

Merle Guttmann

Merle Guttmann was born and educated in Zimbabwe and immigrated to Israel in 1962. She is well-known in Israeli Anglophone circles and Israel’s social and volunteer fields. A social planner, writer, editor and active community leader, she has held tens of positions serving Israeli society.

Guttmann has an M.A. degree in Social Planning from Bar Ilan University, and a B.A. from Cape Town University. She has taught at the Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan Universities and worked in Israel for the National Insurance Institute, Maccabi Health Fund, Ministry of Defense, and other public bodies. She has authored many publications and articles.

For over forty years Ms. Guttmann has been actively involved in the world of volunteering in Israel. She has helped set up numerous nonprofit organizations and served on their board of directors. Her most recent position (2003–2009) was chairperson of ETZA – Israel Self Help Center. She has also served on the boards of the Center of Small Businesses in Raanana (Mati), the Center for Family Peace (Herzliya), the National Council of Voluntarism in Israel, Telfed – South African Zionist Federation, the United Jewish Israel Appeal, and is a former member of the Kfar Shmaryahu Local Council.

Guttmann was the founder and chairperson and is the Life President of ESRA – English Speaking Residents Association, a self help organization composed of volunteers assisting in the absorption of English speakers and a multitude of social and community welfare projects for immigrants from distressed countries, disadvantaged families and people with disabilities. She is also the Editor of the ESRA MAGAZINE which she initiated in 1979.

Guttmann is the recipient of many awards for her contribution to Israeli society including the Israel President’s Award for Voluntarism (1992), the Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Leadership (1999) and the Telfed Yakir Zion (2008).

Author's recent posts

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment