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A few years back, when Hillside accountant Alvin Levine learned that he had cancer, he began methodically settling his affairs. His beloved wife, Gertrude, had died in 2003, and they had no children. He decided to leave their three-bedroom house on a quiet street in Hillside to Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey.

Levine died on Oct. 14, 2010, at age 94. The house sold recently for close to $300,000, making it one of the largest gifts the agency has ever received.

JFS executive director Tom Beck said Levine’s offer came as a bittersweet surprise.

“He had been a donor for many years — not a major donor but a regular one — but we had never met him in person before,” said Beck. “We invited him to come to visit and showed him around our building. After that, he and I met a few times for lunch. He was a very nice man, still working, and still very sharp. He could walk faster than I did.”

Beck asked Levine if his generosity could be memorialized. Levine was adamant that he didn’t want that kind of publicity, but he did agree to have his wife honored. Recognizing how much the couple valued the home care services JFS provides to the frail elderly and those with disabilities, Beck arranged for a plaque to be installed designating “The Gertrude Levine Center for Home Health Services.

Source: New Jersey Jewish News

by onlinefashionguru

An assortment of jewish gifts is available at a judaica store. Whether the occasion is a marriage, a Brit Milah or a baby naming these presents are a good fit. They can also be given for holidays like Chanukah and as a reward for finding the Afikomen after the Passover meal Some common gifts are stars of David, items with Chai (the word for life) on them and Hamsa jewelry or décor like a tapestry or other artwork with the Hamsa on it.

A Hamsa in the Jewish tradition is a symbol of a hand with an eye in the center. It is also considered to be the hand of Miriam. One interesting tidbit is that some Jews say that the five fingers on the hand associated with the Hamsa are meant to remind people that they should use all five senses when serving God. The talisman is also considered to be a way to keep the evil eye away and to welcome positive energy in a person’s life or in a household. There are many other aspects to the Hamsa like it bringing good luck, wealth/prosperity, health and joy. It is necessary to explain some terms before sharing the different types of jewish gifts one could find in a judaica store. The definition of Brit Milah is the ceremony for a circumcision, whereas a child celebrates entering adulthood during a Bar or Bat Mitzvah; usually this happens at the age of 12 or 13. On Passover there is a tradition of children needing to find the middle matzah (unleavened bread), called the Afikomen. The adults have hid the Afikomen earlier in the evening.. The meal cannot be completed until it has been found. There is a prize for whomever figures out where the Afikomen is....

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by tkahuna8

An assortment of jewish gifts is available at a judaica store. These gifts are appropriate for many occasions like the celebration of a baby naming, Brit Milah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or a wedding. They can also be given for holidays like Chanukah and as a reward for finding the Afikomen after the Passover meal Some common gifts are stars of David, items with Chai (the word for life) on them and Hamsa jewelry or décor like a tapestry or other artwork with the Hamsa on it.

A Hamsa in the Jewish tradition is a symbol of a hand with an eye in the center. It is also considered to be the hand of Miriam. An interesting piece of information is that there are some jewish people who state that the five fingers on the hand of the Hamsa serve to remind people of the need to involve all senses in service to God. This symbol is also meant to ward off the evil eye and to bring positive energy to a person or household. There are many other aspects to the Hamsa like it bringing good luck, wealth/prosperity, health and joy. It is necessary to explain some terms before sharing the different types of jewish gifts one could find in a judaica store. The definition of Brit Milah is the ceremony for a circumcision, whereas a child celebrates entering adulthood during a Bar or Bat Mitzvah; usually this happens at the age of 12 or 13. On Passover there is a tradition of children needing to find the middle matzah (unleavened bread), called the Afikomen. At a point earlier in the evening, adults have hidden the Afikomen.. The meal cannot be completed until it has been found. Whichever child finds the Afikomen gets a reward.

Read more...