September Birthdays!
9/4 Nancy Rosenberg
9/6 Irene White
9/8 Diana Parnes
9/9 Benjamin Koser
9/10 Steve Smiley
9/12 Karen Lyon
9/12 Samuel Noah Zusmer
9/13 Gary Smiley
9/17 Andrew Green
9/19 Eileen Acanfora
9/19 Dorothy Cohen
9/4 Nancy Rosenberg
9/6 Irene White
9/8 Diana Parnes
9/9 Benjamin Koser
9/10 Steve Smiley
9/12 Karen Lyon
9/12 Samuel Noah Zusmer
9/13 Gary Smiley
9/17 Andrew Green
9/19 Eileen Acanfora
9/19 Dorothy Cohen
The name Spartanburg, South Carolina brings many things to mind. Some people may think of the large number of colleges we have, such as Wofford, Converse, and USC Upstate. Others may connect Spartanburg with its nickname, Hub City, which refers to the role the city played in the 19th century railroad network in this region of the state. But if there’s one man whose name is easily associated with Spartanburg, it’s most certainly Junie White.
Now in his third term as mayor, Junie is a native of Gaffney. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1957, he joined the Navy and was stationed at Virginia Beach. And a lucky thing that was, too. For it was there that he met Irene, a young Jewish Canadian wom- an, whom he married in 1961.
For just a few months, the couple remained in Montreal, the city of Irene’s birth. After returning to the Upstate with his bride, Junie accepted a job with a local insurance company. One day, while driving down the not-yet-finished interstate highway running just outside of town, he noticed a gas station located on a frontage road that had recently come up for sale. Junie bought the business, though at the time he knew little about fixing cars. But he hired the best mechanics he could find and learned whatever he needed to know directly from his em- ployees. Now in its third location on South Pine Street, Junie’s Exxon station is among the best-known businesses in Spartanburg and Junie White one of the city’s best-known business- men.
Sometime during the late 70s or early 80s, Rabbi Stauber stopped by the station and spoke with Junie about conversion. The idea seemed inviting, realizing as he did that one family should have one faith. But Junie didn’t merely become a member of the Spartanburg Jewish community; he assumed a leading role in the life of the temple, serving for many years on the board, as president, a very generous contributor, and as advisor-at-large to rabbis and congregants alike.
Those of us who have lived in Spartanburg for more than just a few years can remem- ber when it was small and sleepy with a quiet downtown, and not much else. But during Junie’s tenure as mayor, we have seen the city develop in ways that few of us could have im- agined. Morgan Square now bustles with restaurants, clubs, boutiques and other kinds of businesses that earlier, we would have needed to go to Greenville to see. Spartanburg has changed socially in very positive ways, too. Junie is extremely proud of the city’s welcoming culture, making it a place where people of all races, religions, creeds and orientations easily find themselves at home. Much of the credit belongs to Mayor Junie, whose openness, energy and leadership have enabled Spartanburg to grow into what he rightfully says is “one of the finer cities in the South.”
But when asked just what role he played in the Spartanburg Renaissance, Junie replied as one might expect of a man who learns from his employees and makes his wife’s people his own: “I’m just a little part of that.”
Photo Credit: Spartanburg Herald Journal
I am pleased to announce the birth of a new member of our congregation. Raphael was born to Mauro and Susi Wilk.
Raphael Wilk
Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz
Mazel Tov to our August Mensch of the Month, Cheryl August! If you do not know her (which seems impossible) please meet Cheryl in her own words!
I was born outside of Rochester, NY. I worked over the years as an administrative assistant in the legal and real estate fields. I met Barry when he was transferred to the Rochester area by the Veterans Administration. Because of his job we have lived in San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston area, and Vermont before retiring to North Carolina to be near family.
I was not born Jewish but after meeting Barry and going to services with him, I realized that I had found the spiritual home I was looking for. After a year of meeting weekly with a Rabbi, I had my mikvah a month before our wedding.
After moving here we did not find a congregation that we felt comfortable with. We then heard about Congregation B’nai Israel shortly before the High Holidays. We attended a Friday service and everyone was so friendly and welcoming that we knew we had found a home. Plus, we both really liked Rabbi Liebowitz.
For me I feel that the congregation is like a cherished friend to me. I am so grateful to the support everyone gave to me after Barry passed away, especially Rabbi Liebowitz. I really appreciate that so many call to check on me whenever I have been absent from services or if I am sick.
A funny story – Several years back I visited Ireland for two weeks. I had forgotten to remind anyone that I was going to be gone. The day after my return my doorbell rang and there was the sheriff checking on me. It seems that the Rabbi as well as many other members were concerned they had not seen me in a while and had called the sheriff. It gave me a warm feeling to know others cared.
I got involved in the Temple several months after Barry passed away when they put a notice in Temple Topics for a volunteer for financial secretary. I felt I needed something to keep me busy and volunteered. I also became more involved at that time in Sisterhood which was a great experience learning so much about the history of Sisterhood and the Temple from all the older members. I eventually became the Treasurer and am currently the President of Sisterhood. I am so grateful to all the women in Sisterhood and the wonderful work we do on the bake sale to support the Temple.
I am grateful to have found this congregation and the sense of community that is here. I wish to be able to do whatever I can to keep the Temple as not only a place of worship, but as a community of caring individuals.