Sisterhood of Janina Spring, 2009 - Kehila Kedosha Janina

Sisterhood of Janina Spring, 2009
Dear Sisterhood Member,
We recently took a short hiatus in Florida (to get out of the cold!!!), to attend the
10 th Annual Pasha’s Florida Reunion…and, it was terrific! Many, many Sisterhood
members were there. It was great to see them enjoying dancing to Sasha’s music. Max
Nachmias does a wonderful job year after year, single-handedly putting this all
together!!!! Benvenuto’s staff is outstanding at accommodating our group…the food is
luscious, but more importantly is the camaraderie that permeates the room for those
hours…people linger over their goodbyes hardly wanting to leave. Thanks, Max – hope
you and Eve both continue doing this for many years to come, with the best of health!!
We’re now back here in chilly, New York and hoping for a quick spring break in the
weather (with no more snow in the forecast)!
May 3 rd will see the Pasha’s Annual Dinner Dance at the Oceanside Jewish
Center, with Mike Daniel supplying the best Greek dancing music for our dancing
pleasure. My father, of blessed memory, always said “Nobody throws a party like the
Pashas”, and he was so right! We wish the organization many more years to continue to
provide us with the “best parties”! Inshallah!
KKJ
Kehila Kedosha Janina, in its 82 nd year, continues to enrich our spiritual and
cultural senses. Our synagogue has never closed its doors since its inception in 1927, and,
even during our sanctuary renovations, we continued to hold services every Shabbat and
holiday. It is a testament to the dedication and devotion of Sol Kofinas, for single
handedly being there day after day supervising all the necessary work being done, and to
our congregants for bearing with us, that we have survived and persevered all these
years.
Events at KKJ included a March 1st pre-Pesach “Koula’s Kitchen” with some tried
and true, family recipes. Rachel Cohen presented “Rapanadas de Parida”, an interesting
Sephardic dish of mashed potatoes encrusted matza, dipped in eggs and fried; Koula
demonstrated and provided samples and her yummy recipe for Passover spinach pastel
(pie), and I offered the Marash/Capon family recipe for Bumuelos, or, the Sephardic
version of “Matza Brei”, but, of course, much different from theirs…(fried in the copper
clad pans that came from Greece.) We had approx. 45 guests who tasted the food we
cooked and enjoyed the afternoon’s offerings immensely. (for those with computer
access, recipes can be found on KKJ’s website kkjsm.org.)
March 9 th, Purim, was the reading of the Megillah, the story of Esther and
Mordecai who outwit Haman and saved the Jews. A delicious collation followed,
including traditional Hamantashen, which were enjoyed by all.
Then, of course, we have the March 21 st Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Marcus, son of
KKJ’s President Marvin Marcus. The celebration continues with a gala reception on
Sunday, March 22 nd at the Oceanside Jewish Center. We wish Marvin, Phyllis and older
brother Andrew, Mazal Tov.
SISTERHOOD

The Committee members will put their collective heads together to come up with
a unique Mother’s Day gift for the female residents of the Sephardic Home for our
annual “Monday after Mother’s Day at the Home”. I believe we can come up with the
perfect thing – great for both bed-bound and ambulatory residents. As you know, each
female resident of The Home receives a Mother’s Day gift, in addition to the donation we
present to Executive Director, Michael New for the general fund for all residents.
Sisterhood donated a new area rug for the bema at KKJ, which enhances the
beautifully recently, renovated sanctuary.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous response to the
Ioannina Cemetery plea. Our Sisterhood members are the salt of the earth and come
through for us every time they are asked, and this time is no exception. Following are the
names of those whose donations were received to date to help defray the Sisterhood
donation made to the Ioannina Cemetery Fund,: Kathy & Maurice Askinazi, Ralph
Battino, Annette Binder, Mollie Cohen, Rhoda Cohen, Rose Eskononts, Mae & Zino
Gabrielides, Sheila Gessula, Eley Moses-Gilman, Esther & Martin Golden, Marcia
Haddad-Ikonomopoulos, Litsy Eliasoff-Pinhas, Eleanor Weiser and Rae Yamali.
For the Ioannina Jewish Community, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
DONOR CARD PROGRAM
Our one constant revenue source, the Donor Card program, in addition to our annual
dues collection, is the backbone of Sisterhood’s income. Below are names of our
Sunshine Secretaries who are ready…just one phone call is what it takes, and they
will write out the appropriate card, be it “Get Well”, “In Honor Of/Congratulations” or
“In Memory Of”, naming you as the donor, seal, stamp and mail it, for the minimum
donation of $3.00 (of course we accept and welcome more). Please continue to
participate in our Donor Card Program and help keep Sisterhood running in the
“black”.
Thank You.
SUNSHINE SECRETARIES
Corrine Levy 3105 Avenue “V” #1D, Brooklyn, NY 11229 (718 769-3946
Stella Moses 3530 Henry Hudson Pkwy E #7K, Riverdale, NY 10463(718) 543-
8825
Judy Myones 6364 Overland Dr., Delray Beach, Fl 33484 (561) 499-
8244
CURRENT DONOR CARD SUPPORTERS
Fran & Dave Albahae, Kathy & Maurice Askinazi, Stemma Askinazi, Raanan & Michael
Baratz, Ralph Battino & Jackie Andros, Terry & Abe Battino, Esther & Murray Benjamin,
Annette Binder, Sherri & Larry Busch, Pearl Cantos, Mollie Cohen, Rhoda Cohen, Sue &
Nick Cokinos, Belle & Marty Davis, Rose Eskononts, Jean Fishman, Sandy & Barry Fox,
Mae & Zino Gabrielides, Sheila Gessula, Selma Gilberg, Irene Harris, Marcia
Ikonomopoulos, Gail Jenny, Esther Jeuda, Julie Jeuda, Mollie Kaplan, Koula & Sol
Kofinas, Olivia Koppel-Levy, Terry & Sol Lafazan, Corrine Levy, Olivia & Jesse Levy,
Marcelynne & Milton Luftig, Sarah Mandragona, Irene & Sol Matsil, Dora Mazza,
Eleanor Menachem, Shirley & Hy Menachem, Betty Miones, Stella Moses, Joe Myones,

Judy & Eli Myones, Stella Myones, Eva & Max Nachmias, Evelyn Negrin, Esther & Irving
Russo, Rose Salberg, Daisy & Ralph Schaeffer, Renee & Murray Seraita, Amelia Sobel,
Audrey Solomon, , Edith Solomon, Linda & David Solomon, Rita & Art Taub, Mimi &
Murray Vitoulis, Rae Yamali, Esther & Morris Yomtov, Raye & Hy Yomtov, Anita & Jack
Zaffos, Bea Zagha.
Thank you All
SISTERHOOD NEWS
~Sincerest Condolences to long-time member, Sue Cohen & Family on the passing of her husband,
Ben.
~Best Wishes for Good Health and a Speedy Recovery from Surgery to Rivkah (Betty) Nachmias.
~Deepest condolences to David and Danny Lebenstein and their respective families, on the
passing of their
mother, our long-time member, Mary Attas-Lebenstein.
~Sincerest Condolences to Esther Yomtov on the passing of her sister, Becky Candiotti, a long-time
resident
of The Sephardic Home.
~Get Well wishes to Anna (Teddy) Coffino. Wishing her a speedy recovery after her fall.
~Best Wishes for Good Health to Terri Battino. Hope she’s back to her “old” self soon.
~Congratulations to Ethan Marcus on his March 21 st Bar Mitzvah at KKJ, with a reception on March
22 nd at
the Oceanside J.C. Ethan is the son of KKJ’s president, Marvin & Phyllis Marcus and
younger brother to Andrew. Mazal Tov to all.
~Sincerest Condolences to David and Ashley Cohen and families on the passing of their beloved
Mom,
Anne Cohen, Sisterhood’s Corresponding and Recording Secretary for many years.
~ Belated Congratulations to Victoria Miles on this past November’s Bar Mitzvah of her Grandson,
Eric Myones, son of Victoria’s daughter, Annette & Irving Myones. Mazal Tov!
~Glad to hear that Selma Gilberg is doing well after surgery. Best Wishes for continued Good
Health.
~Best Wishes for Good Health to Nick Cokinos. Hope he’s fully healed after his fall.
~Best Wishes for Good Health to Shirlee Paganetti’s brother, Vic Cabilis,. Wishing him a speedy and
complete recovery from surgery.
Best Regards,
Rose Eskononts
We sadly note the passing of our long-time members, Mary Attas Lebenstein and our former
Corresponding and Recording Secretary, Anne Cohen. We extend our sincerest condolences
to Mary’s sister Sarina and sons David & Danny Lebenstein and their respective families.
Our deepest condolences go out to Anne’s sons David and Ashley Cohen and their respective
families. Anne and Mary will be sorely missed.