40 Years of Caring

 

 

When Glendale opened its doors 40 years ago to six needy residents it was not envisaged the tremendous impact it would have on the Western Cape Community. Few realised the importance of establishing such a residential facility or to the extent it would be utilised in the years to come. Glendale had embarked on the unknown.

 

The Intellectually Disabled was an unknown factor. One of the reasons being they were not visible, and unknown to the general public, because of the stigma they had to endure, which has thankfully now been eliminated and they have taken their rightful place amongst their brothers and sisters.

 

One must subscribe to the fact, that  for a community to function adequately, two of the fundamental  and greatest tenets of Jewish teachings must be practised.         Tzedakah ( financial and material charity ) and  Gemilut Chassidim        ( deeds of loving kindness).

One cannot aportion importance to these two ideologies for each member of the community should take responsibility  and contribute accordingly in this regard .

 

The numeral forty has many synergies connected with Jewish history . The flood which lasted for forty days forced Noah to seek sanctuary on the Ark as the first Glendale residents did forty years ago when they entered the portals of their sanctuary.

Moses spent three periods of 40 days , on the mountain

and  on his decent provided mankind with the greatest gift ever , “The Torah,”

Glendale has spent forty fruitful years  and it is hoped the next two forty year periods will be as rewarding and  meaningful .

The roman letters for forty is  XL and this can be construed as an abbreviation of the word excellence which  relates to the service Glendale has successfully  provided these past forty years.

To celebrate this milestone which is one of great significance   Glendale will be hosting a gala dinner at the Arabella, Sheraton Hotel Cape Town on the 8th August  2006. For this event to be successful your support is urgently required . You can be assured of good food , good company , wonderful entertainment and an atmosphere filled with compassion. This will not be an ordinary function, but rather one of dedicated love and the  blessed satisfaction that you are helping to provide a better quality  of life for 63 residents who  have made Glendale their permanent Home. Your participation will allow you to express the true tenets of Jewish tradition, Tzadakah and Gemilut Chassidim.

In retrospect- “we are our brothers keeper.”