Spring Forward With Hadassah

The Charlotte Jewish News, March 2023

By Aileen Greenberg-Kriner

In the Purim story, Haman, the evil advisor to King Ahasuerus of Persia, plots to kill all the Jews. Courageous Queen Esther (whose Hebrew name is Hadassah!), risks her life to tell the king about Haman’s intentions and saves the Jewish people from disaster. Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that commemorates this victory. We celebrate with hamantaschen, costumes, noisemakers, and the reading of the Scroll of Esther (Megillah) on the 14th of Adar, which corresponds this year to Monday night and Tuesday, March 6 and 7.

When Purim comes around each year, I know spring is on the way, which makes me very happy. While we celebrate our two new years, in the winter on January 1 and in the fall at Rosh Hashanah, for me it is spring when the year starts afresh. The flowers bloom, trees get new leaves (oh no -- pollen!), and I see neighbors who hibernated all winter. The world starts to bustle again and Hadassah women are busier than ever.

Our chapter has so many activities and events planned this spring. Keep up to date with our website, www.hadassahcltevents.org, which has details and registration links for our events. If you have questions, suggestions, or need a zoom link, email HadassahCLT@gmail.com or call our general phone number, (980) 553-1880. Your message will be forwarded promptly to the event contact person.

Hadassah’s Shabbat Zachor

On Friday, March 3, the Sabbath before Purim, we will celebrate Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembrance. Hadassah’s Shabbat Zachor service will take place at 7 p.m. with Temple Kol Ami at Philadelphia United Methodist Church in Fort Mill. The service will combine inspirational readings with the traditional Friday night service. Contact us if you would like to participate.

Passover

Our monthly Hadassah Wine & Schmooze at Vintner Wine Market (in Arboretum Shopping Center) will be extra-special this month. Come learn about Passover wines and stock up on vino for your seder on Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Remember, when you make a purchase at Vintner’s, please let them know you are a Hadassah member. Vintner’s donates a portion of their sales to our Charlotte Metro chapter. Thank you, Vintner’s, for supporting Hadassah for so many years!

Now that you have your wine, get your seder plate ready! After a two-year COVID hiatus, we’re hosting a Passover Tasting Lunch & Recipe Swap on Sunday, March 19 from noon-2 p.m. Bring a homemade dairy or pareve/vegetarian Passover appetizer, main course, or dessert to share. Email your recipe in advance (by March 5). All recipes will be available electronically after the event. This is a great program for new or prospective members. Check our website for details.

Join us for our Passover Shop, Sip & Schmooze on Wednesday, March 22. Enjoy wine and cheese while you shop at the Temple Beth El gift shop from 5:30-9 p.m. Get 10% off your total bill. 10% of sales will be donated to Hadassah.

Hadassah Directories

We still have some Hadassah Directories available. Purchase them on our website or call us to order. If you have moved, don’t forget to update your contact information in the online directory. You can do that on our website as well.

March Book Clubs

The Short Story Discussion Group continues to read stories from the book “Scenes fromVillage Life” by Amos Oz. On March 10 we will discuss the story, “Singing,” on page 225. On April 14, we will read the story, “In a Faraway Place at Another Time,” on page 255. We meet on Zoom at 11:45 a.m. on the second Friday of each month.

Hadassah BookTalk is reading books by authors who are participating in the CJE Jewish Book Festival. Zoom with us on Tuesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. when we discuss “The Thread Collectors,” by Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman. For your planning, our April book is “In Five Years,” by Rebecca Serle.

Learn about Hadassah

The next Hadassah Charlotte Metro Board meeting is Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m.

Membership keeps Hadassah strong. Learn about our chapter. Contact us at HadassahCLT@ gmail.com, call (980) 553-1880, or come to one of our events. We would love to meet you!

Follow us on social media: Facebook (Hadassah CLT Metro), Instagram (Hadassah Charlotte Metro) and Twitter (@HadassahCLT).