As International Day of Peace nears, we must not take what peace we have for granted

Peace. Love. Two words that are often thrown around without much thought. But it is more prevalent now, than at any other time in my life, that what the world needs now is more peace and love.

Today, on the 21st anniversary of 9/11, 2001, we Americans have been blessed to see yet another day without the sounds of bombs bursting around us. It wasn’t so on that day. Even now, I can still hear the evil sounds of the explosions as we watched, via television, as the planes flew into the Twin Towers in New York.

Who among us can forget that September morning; what we were doing, where we were going... I remember thinking, as we got word of the third plane flying into the Pentagon, “Well, Lord, this is it. We are at war.” Then I walked into the room where my invalid mother lay to hold her hand and pray. There was nowhere to hide.

This is the way it is today with many other fellow human beings on this planet Earth. People are fighting each other. Bombs are falling out of the sky, and people are dying. And there is nowhere to hide.

The peace that I, and many other Americans, are enjoying has afforded me the opportunity to be able to get up from my bed, have a warm shower with clean, running water in the privacy of my own home, and then being able to go to my refrigerator for something to eat. So many others in the world do not have this privilege. They are too busy dodging bullets and bombs.

While today many in the world are not living peacefully among their neighbors, we here in America, with all the turmoil and evil politics going on, continue to live as peacefully as possible. We must not take what peace we have for granted.

I am thinking so much about peace today because in a few days, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 21, the organization Ayuda will spearhead a commemoration of the International Day of Peace, with a ceremony to be held at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr. in Miami Beach.

According to information from Ayuda board member and community activist Marjorie York, who first conceived of the idea to have a permanent place to hold peace-related events, International Day of Peace was started in 1981 by the United Nations to strengthen the image of peace among nations.

York solicited the help of art teachers Winsome Bolt and Denise Marlow to create the “Peace Pole” in the botanical garden, where this year’s participants will speak on the theme, “End Racism. Build Peace.” Miami Beach Mayor Don Gelber will be the keynote speaker.

Other activities will include the presentations of city and county proclamations, a peace march led by school board member Lucia Baez-Geller, a youth dialogue, musical performances by Miami Beach Senior High School students, a display of peace drawings by students in all eight feeder schools in the Miami Beach area, and lunch.

Ayuda, the organizations which sponsors the International Peace Day celebration, was started in 1977 by Diane Susi to help improve the lives of children and families who are underserved and in need of education, life skills and training, and programs that support self-sufficiency. Deanne Connolly Graham serves as board chairwoman.

The event is free and open to the public.

2 events at Chabad in the Gables

To prepare the congregation for the Jewish New Year, Chabad in Coral Gables at 1827 Ponce de Leon Blvd. will host two events during the coming week:

At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, Chabad will host a women’s “Pre-Rosh Hashanah Challah Bake” with Chef Chany. Participants will learn to roll, knead and shape the challah dough and learn tips on braiding techniques. Participants will also learn the meaning of the traditional foods that are eaten on the New Year and get to taste them, too.

Then at 11 a.m. on Sept. 18, the Chabad will launch CKids Club, a new Jewish club for children. The first club meeting is entitled “Rosh Hashanah Road Trip.” Open to children ages 4-11, the club offers an opportunity for children to learn about their Jewish heritage in a fun and interactive way.

The “road trip” stops will include a visit to an apple orchard, a honey farm, and a stop at a visitor center to make Shana Tova postcards and new year resolution car fresheners. There will also be a stop at the Rosh Hashanah mini mart to make gourmet chocolate drizzled pomegranate seeds, and a stop at a tashlich pond for a fun fishing game.

Participating youngsters will be able to collect a road map and souvenirs from each stop. The cost is $20 per club meeting; $16 for members. To RSVP, go to ChabadGables.com/CKids or call 305-301-9460.

Mass to honor Trinidad & Tobago’s 60th independence anniversary

The Trinidad & Tobago community at Christ the King Catholic Church at 16000 SW 12th Ave. in Perrine invites the community to the Thanksgiving Mass and Healing Services to be held on Sept. 18, and 19, respectively.

The Mass of Thanksgiving will be at 10 a.m. on Sept. 18, and the Healing Service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19. The services are in honor of the twin-island nation’s 60th Independence Anniversary, which was on Aug. 31.

The Rev. Ako Walker, a priest in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, will be the celebrant. Walker is originally from Trinidad & Tobago and currently serves as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Patrick parishes in Baltimore, Maryland.

The community is invited to this Diamond Jubilee celebration.

Hialeah Woman’s Club turns 100

Congratulations to the women of the Hialeah Woman’s Club on its 100th anniversary. The organization celebrated with a brunch held on Aug. 27 at the historic Hialeah Park Track, which also turned 100. The club’s theme was “vintage,” and guests showed up dressed in outfits that dated back from the 1920.

Barbara Hassall is president of the organization.

Miami woman’s club installs officers

Congratulations also to the Miami Woman’s Club, which held its installation of board and officers on Aug. 24 in its newly renovated club house at 1737 N. Bayshore Dr. Built in 1925, the stately clubhouse was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1974.

The officers installed were Shirley Pardon, president; Metris Batts-Coley, first vice president; Clora Adkins, second vice president; Lynn Montero, recording secretary; Sharon Thompson, treasurer; Dr. Rose Martin, director of finance; Noreen Timoney, director of house; and Diane Stieber, director of library.

Elizabeth Fisher, a Greater Federation of Woman’s Club Florida State Executive Board Member, installed the officers, and newly installed President Pardon addressed the audience that included members from GFWC clubs from throughout Miami-Dade and Broward.

Bea L. Hines can be reached at bea.hines@gmail.com