In 2012, Hava Aharoni and a few friends who were young seniors with common interests and who spoke Hebrew were looking for a place where they could meet over coffee or a light lunch. The site needed to have available meeting space and a cafeteria. The Betel Centre met their needs. They formed the CHAGAI group and planned special events, programs and local trips throughout the city. In 2019 the group dissolved and some members moved to the ETROG program which remains active today.
In addition to volunteering with the CHAGAI program, Hava took computer and exercise classes; went on trips and used the services of the Chiropody department. She generously supported and participated in many of the fundraising activities including the Mosaic Festival in 2016 and Open House and Treasure Sale events.
In April 2015, she was asked to join the Members Council and the following year became Chair of the committee. In the fall of the same year, she was elected to the Board of Directors, representing the Members Council and the members. More recently, Hava is a member of the Return to Work Committee and since the start of the pandemic has provided her insight and knowledge to help create and implement our COVID-19 health and safety protocols and procedures.
This year she will be recognized for reaching the 10 year milestone level of volunteer service.
Hava brings many skills to her volunteer roles. She speaks English, Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish and some French. For 38 years, she worked at York University where her final position before retirement was as Coordinator of the Scott Library Access Services Department. She managed a full time staff of 15 people responsible for providing various services to library users.
When she retired, she had time to learn Maj Jong and Canasta; joined a choir and participated in a study group. She was busy with many social activities. During her career, she never had the opportunity to volunteer. Her focus was on raising her 2 children and concentrating on her career.
Hava is always the first to give thanks to others and has readily supported and recognized the contributions of all Betel volunteers and staff. It is easy for her to see the good in others. She recognizes these strengths because they are her strengths.
This is what makes Hava such a great leader and role model. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, she has been able to keep the Council members connected and engaged. She takes the time to keep in touch with the Council members between meetings just to see how they were doing and have a friendly chat.
When Hava was asked to take leadership of the Members Council, the committee was in a stage of renewal and needed new blood and fresh ideas. Hava was available at the right time. Although she says she was “coaxed” to take on the role of Chair, she was open and willing to take on the task. Members who have actively participated in the Betel programs and services and want to contribute are welcome to apply to join the Members Council however they need another unique skill. “They need to have heart”, Hava explains.
She thinks back to the first time she visited the centre. It was with her father. Hava remembers feeling the warmth, could see the connection among the members and understood why people describe the centre as their second home. Years before she became a member, the Betel Centre had a very special place in her heart.
In 1992, 2 years after her mother passed, Hava convinced her father to move to Canada from Israel. Hava was working full time and wanted to find activities for her father during the day. He joined the Betel Centre and participated in the woodworking program where he developed his “hidden artistic talent.” He enjoyed playing cards going on trips as well as attending the parties. Hava says, “The last 16 years of his life, were some of the best. He was happy at Betel and enjoyed an active life.”
Hava feels that she has gained so much and has met many nice people at the centre. She is grateful for everything and takes nothing for granted in life. She admits that she has learned from the pandemic but it has stretched on too long. She shares that she needs people around her and misses coming to the centre. “It is a wonderful feeling when people know who you are, they know your name and you feel you belong.”
For those who know Hava, you appreciate her special and unique flair. She may have some of her father’s artistic style but as she says, “I am not wild. I am more conservative and follow rules and procedures.” We are thankful for Hava and all the talents, skills and spirit she brings to our Betel community.
The message she shared at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet in June 2016, illustrates the heart and soul of this kind and unassuming woman.
“PEOPLE ARE OFTEN SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT I AM A COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER. THEY OFTEN COMMENT THAT IF THEY ARE TO DO ANY WORK, THEY WOULD WANT TO GET MONEY FOR THEIR WORK. WHAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF IS THAT WE ACTUALLY ARE BEING COMPENSATED. IT MAY NOT BE WITH MONEY, BUT RATHER WITH GREAT SATISFACTION, GRATIFICATION, AND PLEASURE. WE SERVE THE COMMUNITY, THE PEOPLE AND ‘HELP THE CAUSE’. THESE ARE THINGS THAT MONEY CANNOT BUY.”
This story was originally posted on the February 2022 E-Newsletter
