“L’dor v’dor,” from generation to generation, is part of all that takes place at the Aaron Family JCC, and the Jan. 24 Front Entry and Lobby Dedication was another example of this. In 2000, when asked why they chose to designate their Capital Campaign gift to the JCC, Carol and Steve Aaron responded, “The Jewish Community Center is for everybody, regardless of age, gender or affiliation. Most people who have been a part of the Dallas Jewish Community have, in some way, been part of the JCC. The JCC has touched everyone — whether you or your children grew up at the JCC, whether you’ve attended a class, performance or meeting or whether your parents have come to depend upon the JCC.”
Akiba dad Darryl Lazarow z”l was a man of great character and purpose and an avid supporter of Akiba Academy and its sports programs. He enthusiastically enjoyed watching and coaching Akiba athletics, especially soccer. Tragically, Darryl passed away too soon in December 2006, at the young age of 42.
The sky was blue, with long, high wisps of white cloud. The air was clear. There was a bit of a breeze. It was the perfect day for many things. A funeral was not one of them. But then, there’s never a perfect day for a funeral, is there?
Dear Rabbi,
Could you please explain the custom of blessing the children on Friday night? I recently saw it for the first time and thought it was very beautiful; I wish I had done it with my children when they were growing up. Is it something all Orthodox Jews do?
Joan T.
Dear Families,
Today we are looking for the quick answer, the brand, the vision, the jingle that will tell us how to live our lives. “Just Do It” or “Have It Your Way” are great examples or slogans that we all remember. Our sages did the same thing! They gave all of us the message of how to live our lives. Let me paraphrase Genesis Rabbah 24:7 to show you the thought process:
Celebrating Tu B’Shevat this year on an alien moon called Pandora? Why not? As seen in “Avatar,” the 3-D, billion-dollar-grossing movie, it’s definitely a place where trees are revered. In the film, bluish people called Na’vi worship ancient trees. Here on earth, a Jewish people who have a navi or two of our own (“navi” in Hebrew means prophet) will celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees, on Friday night and Saturday, Jan. 29–30, expressing in song and seder a kind of tree love as well. Why? Trees represent a commitment; planting one is just the beginning of a long-term relationship. Isn’t this a kind of love?
Akiba dad Darryl Lazarow z”l was a man of great character and purpose and an avid supporter of Akiba Academy and its sports programs. He enthusiastically enjoyed watching and coaching Akiba athletics, especially soccer. Tragically, Darryl passed away too soon in December 2006, at the young age of 42.
Connecting with God always has been a driving force in Jewish tradition. Today we do it mostly through formal prayer and Torah study. Starting Nov. 2, Paula Joyce will teach a course open to the public at Congregation Shearith Israel that will help you see, feel and know God in your daily life.
Paula Joyce, Ph.D., [...]
By Susan Kandell Wilkofsky
Quick: Who won the very first Best Actress Emmy in history? I’ll give you a little assistance: The year was 1951. No one comes to mind? Here’s another clue: Eight years later she won a Tony Award as Best Actress (Dramatic) for “A Majority of One.” If you answered Gertrude Berg — [...]
By Dave Sorter
Ronald Gruen, who died on Sept. 7, 2009 at age 94, was more than simply a pillar of the Dallas Jewish community. He helped build the community, fostered its growth and had a profound effect on shuls that were not even gleams in the eye when he came to town.
Perhaps his greatest legacies [...]
By Ron Kampeas
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Does the mini-war under way between Israel and Hamas in and around the Gaza Strip present President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming administration with a crisis or an opportunity?
Israel’s aerial bombardment, the most intensive in the Gaza Strip in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has killed at least 320 people, most [...]
By Leslie Susser
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s retaliation against persistent Hamas mortar and rocket attacks on civilians in southern Israel was far more ferocious than anyone, including Hamas, expected.
The first three days of intensive Israel Air Force bombing in Gaza reduced hundreds of Hamas government buildings, military compounds, laboratories, metal workshops and supply tunnels to rubble [...]
