Our most constant interaction at the JC is with other terrific service volunteers. [See Sept. '10 posts on "Hosting," "Carillon Bells" & "Church Service," Dec. '10 posts, incl. "Yearend Holidays," Feb. '11 "Valentine's Day - Israel Phil. Orch.," May '11 "Easter in Israel"].
Two other service couples helped us do hosting. John & Christine Jackson (far left), both MD's, handled student food, housing & personal needs. Shari & Mike Ohman (on our left) oversaw all music events. Mike was the organ master. Shari handled concerts & exhibits. Kent Jackson (far rt.) was student Academic Director.
Carl & Melanie Harris handled all Church, hosting & humanitarian matters in the Galilee Branch (Tiberias). They made every visitor welcome & useful. They also helped with hosting at JC when others were away on long field trips with the students. After the Becksteads left, they traveled to Haifa every week for duties there.
Merrill & Nanette Beckstead (far left, next to her sisters) coordinated local membership support and outreach efforts with in Haifa. They gave great service to the Filipino caregivers there. Also, as the District YM and YW Presidents.On 11/11/10, we joined a farewell dinner for the Becksteads in Caeseria-by-the-Sea. All senior couples attended. Next to us are the Ohmans, Becksteads, Jacksons and Harrises (plus Ann Killian, Fall Term '10 nursing director)
In May '11, the Harrises left for home in Utah and were sorely missed in Galilee.
Ray & Bobbie Graham. In July '11, they came to replace the Harrises in Galilee. She is sister of BYU V.P. John Tanner, descended from Anson B. Call. They both speak & have taught Spanish -- a dire necessity in their branch.
The Ohmans.
We all admired Shari Ohman's view of the front entry patio and fountain.
She supported Neomi Weinstein with concerts and art exhibits.
No one knew the organ better than Mike. He helped install it in 1987, then tuned it up in 2004. He played it for church mtgs. and for all tours.
He also cleaned, tuned & adjusted all 3,113 pipes & other elements -- including these unique Spanish Trumpets. He was a BYU professor emeritus in music.
For Halloween 2011 and again in Feb. '12, he played non-stop 1-1/2 hours for silent movies -- Phantom of the Opera and The Freshman (Harold Lloyd). [See Dec. '10 post, Yearend Holidays]
We served longer -- and did more outside of the JC -- with Mike & Shari than anyone else during our 18 months.
On 1/30/12 we took them to Focacia -- one of our favorites off Hillel Street. They loved burgers -- but this time ordered pasta or seafood.
The JC threw its usual farewell dinner for them on 2/2/12. Eran asked me to give the tribute to Mike and Neomi gave it to Shari.
John & Christine Jackson. How often are both spouses medical doctors (certified for Family Practice, no less)? They care for the health of students & the JC itself -- over all food, housing & special needs. John is the District Presidency 1st Counselor and we work closely together on all things financial. Christine is District Relief Society Pres. Earlier this year, she feared a relapse of her brain tumor and so returned to Utah. After all tests proved negative & some adjustments were done, our prayers were answered and she came back to us. They have been great friends. (Also, subtle but powerful and effective leaders.) These 3 wives also know all the best places to shop!
On 7/13/11 we enjoyed dinner with them at the Lebanese Restaurant in Abu Ghosh (en route to Tel Aviv). On 7/20/11 we all took them out to dinner at a German Colony restaurant.
Then on 7/26/11 Marilyn was put in charge of table arrangements for their farewell dinner. She did her usual elegant best.
All seniors, faculty & spouses and many staff members came to honor them.
Jim Kearl and Pres. Gary Player were even there.
These wives really missed Christine.
Students also came to bid farewell.
Then it was time for them to say goodbye.
The Chapmans. Replacing John & Christine were Val & Arlene Chapman from VA. There, Val was both a farmer (the last 15 yrs.) and practicing M.D. They both had extensive Church leadership & were terrific additions to our team. Both served the youth for many years & have a flair for the dramatic.
They join us for concerts and games -- like "Hand & Foot." On 8/24/11 (in the large Ohman apt.), we played as couples. Each of us won one round!
All Senior Couples: On 1/28/12, we had this pic shot after our Jordan trip while the Grahams were still at the JC. (L-R: Grahams, Chapmans, Bentleys & Ohmans.) In Feb. '12, replacements arrived for both us & the Ohmans.
He was a CPA but was trained on the organ by Alexander Schreiner and has played most of his life. Both Norm & Dorene were very willing and friendly.
Bob & Elisabeth Schafer. This able couple arrived on 2/23/12 to replace us over Hosting & Humanitarian Services. Like Ted Okiishi, he was a stake president and professor (Sociology) at Iowa State Univ. Retired in 2002, they moved to Seattle -- her home town. They too were friendly and open. He was installed as the Jerusalem Branch President on 2/25/12.
With the Schafers, we visited 18 charities in Jerusalem and Bethany on 2/26 - 28/12.
Some also came to bid farewell at the JC.
Our Farewell. [See last entry below.]
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A Day at the Beach. [ See Nov. '10 post, Jordan Confs. & Tel Aviv.]
On 8/21/11 we went to Tel Aviv with Shari & the Chapmans to buy furniture for the new faculty apts. The beach was fine, soft sand and the sea was warm!
Nearby was the Opera Tower & fountain where we went with Melissa & Dan on Tues. 4/16/11. It was very modern, both inside and out.
On the same street was another modern hotel with a rooftop swimming pool.
On a girls' day out on 9/2/11, these beach babies returned to Tel Aviv. Marilyn said it was the closest she could feel to Newport Beach's Big Corona.
Actually, it almost looked like Oahu's Diamondhead in Hawaii.
These guys were braving the surf with their long paddles. It looked like fun, so Arlene went out to get a better look.
She nearly got blasted by the waves. But she made it back safely -- with a smile.
They all seemed to have a good time -- even without their guys.
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Jim Kearl. He is the VP at BYU who approves and assigns each service volunteer. He has overseen all aspects of the JC for the past 20 years.
He comes at least twice per year to coordinate JC matters and interview seniors. In Dec. '10, he treated all of us to a nice dinner at the Courtyard (a converted water plant next to the "Super Deal" grocery store).
On 5/3/11, Jim and JC Director Eran Hayet lunched with the Bentleys at the Oasis, to prepare for our Humanitarian Conf. in Jordan, starting the next day.
Dining out - special occasions. For Marilyn's birthday, on 5/13/11 we and the Ohmans dined at the Cardo restaurant in East Jerusalem's Legacy Hotel. Parking was an issue, requiring us to circle many times to find their new lot.
I tried out my (2nd) new digital camera on their panoramic views.
On Marilyn's real birthday, 5/12/11, thoughtful students also pasted notes to her on our front door. Jill Judd also baked her a birthday cake. I supplied the ice cream. *******************************
Dining In. On 6/24/11, all three service couples + the Weinsteins treated our friend Judy Telman to a surprise party on her 80th birthday. For 10 years, Judy has hosted dinners for JC service couples. Now it is our turn!
The Ohmans hosted it on their apt. patio. Marilyn cooked most of the food. Salmon never tasted better, with Orzo pasta & stuffed tomatoes. Shari did stuffed-mushroom apetizers, Christine brought fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Neomi brought two great pies -- one honoring Judy's birthday No. 40 x 2.
In June 2012, Judy & Stewart Telman will celebrate wedding anniversary # 60. Congrats! As needed, they always happily help with hosting at JC concerts. Honestly, we have no nicer non-JC friends!
We were enchanted with this painting -- reminding us of our children & grandchildren when small. Also, note Stew's T-shirt: "The older I get, the better I was." (That's how I feel at times, now starting my 72nd year.)
Another farewell dinner for us and the Ohmans -- and a welcome dinner for Norm & Dorene Squires -- was held at the Weinsteins on Sat. 2/4/12. The Telmans also joined the fun.
After Andy & Janet Skinner arrived on 9/8/11, we hosted them & all senior couples at our apt. 206 for a customized pasta bar on 9/12/11. It was similar to Ritanga in Tel Aviv, where we ate while getting visas to Jordan.
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Our Departure. On Friday 2/17/12 we moved upstairs to Apt. #501 so that #206 could be prepared for the Schafers. It was smaller--but the bed was spacious.
Our JC Farewell Dinner was on our last night -- Wed. 2/29/12. All faculty & senior couples and most JC leaders came to send us off.
The Harpers and Huntsmans (faculty) had older children for babysitting.
Kent & Nancy Jackson were in high spirits. Tarek Safadi (head of security) was always in good humor. Kent (Acadamic Director) became a close friend.
In a brief program, these students sang to us (Sterling May & Amanda Greer -- Marcie Price, Piano).
Then Eran Hayet (Exec. Director) paid generous tributes to both of us. Tawfic Alawi (Assoc. Dir.) spoke less but was earnest. These Jewish and Palestinian Directors were the heart & soul of the JC.
Neomi Weinstein (curator and concert scheduler extraordinaire) also paid supreme tributes to Marilyn -- very much deserved.
Malak Sharaf (Office Mgr.) and Mona Hamuri (Tawfic's Admin. Asst.) rendered invaluable aid -- with unfailing good cheer. We did miss seeing other 7th Level friends: Nino Zohar (Eran's Admin. Asst. & my Hebrew translator) and Ghalib Nubani (Financial Accnt.). Each had other conflicts. (Ghalib's son was getting married the next day.)
We wish we could have spent more time with the Squires & Schafers.
But we certainly enjoyed our 6 months with the Chapmans. They will have a great time together this coming year.
Finally, Marilyn's two oldest YW (Rachel & Hannah) added to her joy.
To top off our last day & night, Marilyn had her first lesson -- on the JC organ.!
[See Sept. '10 post, YMCA Carillons & JC Organ.]
What a great way to conclude our Holy Land experience!
For sure, we will always feel like this:
This is a great post, Brother Bentley! It made me think about all of the wonderful memories of Jerusalem! I hope that you and Sister Bentley are doing well! I think about you two often!
ReplyDeleteLizzy Hawes