Winner of Bobba/Zaida trip announced
JOBURG - This year, the Union of Jewish Woman (UJW) Johannesburg is focused on sending a deserving Bobba or Zaida, grandfather or grandmother, overseas to see a child or meet a grandchild who they have not met or seen for many years due to financial constraints.
On 24 June at the weekly UJW Friendship Club lunch, Elaine Katz, convenor of the project, announced the winner.
Esther Gecelter, a regular attendee of the Friendship Club lunch, won the prize and received a round trip to visit family anywhere in the world. The trip was sponsored by an anonymous donor. Gecelter will be also be given spending money, luggage, shoes and clothing for the trip.
The overwhelmed Gecelter has not seen her granddaughters for 12 years and spoke lovingly of them with tears in her eyes. “I last saw them when they were toddlers and have missed them so much as they have grown into lovely young women now,” said Gecelter.
Heartwarming letters from the family were read out and there was barely a dry eye among those present.
In her address, Katz described the reality of many elderly members of the community whose family members have emigrated and left them behind.
The UJW initiated the Bobba/Zaida project and each year invites applicants from the community to participate.
