Sol ז״ל & Janet ז״ל Jaffa
Since returning to Charlotte in 1952, Janet and I have witnessed many dramatic changes in the Charlotte Jewish community. I was born here and attended Sunday and Hebrew School at Temple Israel when it was the Hebrew United Brotherhood and located downtown on Seventh Street. Janet was from Brooklyn. We met in college and married in 1951. We were both raised in families with parents who were very active in Jewish life, so it was only natural that we developed strong feelings for Judaism, and realized that participation in Jewish activities is an essential part of our lives.
As children, my brother and I were part of a small group that I.D. Blumenthal picked up every Saturday to take to Temple. From Temple we went to the S&W for lunch and then to the movies. He made Judaism important to us.
When our daughter Wendy started kindergarten at Temple Israel, both of us became more active in our faith. Temple Israel has been a vital part of our lives. It is where our three daughters were named, educated, received their b’nai mitzvah and married. I served on the Board for over thirty years as a member and as President. Janet and I once served on the Board at the same time. I became chairman of the Building committee that oversaw the planning and construction of the current Temple Israel at Shalom Park. Our service opportunities were very important to us. Nothing can repay what Judaism and Temple Israel have given us.
Janet became active in the community when she arrived in Charlotte and has been president of Temple Israel’s Sisterhood and the Charlotte Chapter of B’nai Brith Women. She is a Life Member of that organization and Hadassah. She is also a member of the Torah Fund of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. As a hobby, Janet participated in clay modeling classes and programs at the Levine Jewish Community Center where she made a number of beautiful pieces.
Charlotte and the Jewish community are important to us. We have participated in many Jewish activities to help assure the continuity of our Jewish community. We do this in gratitude for what Judaism and the Jewish community have done for us, our children, and grandchildren. We want to see that it continues to serve others in the same way. For this reason, we have included Temple Israel in our estate plan. It is our way of helping our community and saying thank you.
ז״ל Of Blessed Memory
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