Archive for the ‘People’ Category
Posted on August 19, 2010 - by admin
Dallas Doings
MitzvahFest to welcome families planning for simchas
In its fourth year, MitzvahFest will be held this Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center Hilton, located at the southeast corner of LBJ and the North Dallas Tollway. For years, families who are in the planning stages of their b’nai mitzvah or wedding have found MitzvahFest an indispensable resource for their simcha. Absolutely the best of the best vendors will be in attendance, from party planners to party starters. The entrance fee of $10 per family will be donated to Jewish Family Service. MitzvahFest is not to be missed.
‘Party on the Plaza: Celebrate Israel’
After MitzvahFest, you can hop on the Tollway and head toward Victory Plaza for an afternoon to “Celebrate Israel.” Event organizers have assured the community that in addition to putting together a myriad of engaging activities, they are prepared for hot weather with cooling facilities and equipment, water and shading by tents and large umbrellas.
Dr. Mark Goldberg becomes UTSW neurology chair
Dr. Mark Goldberg, formerly of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has become chairman of neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Goldberg, who holds the Linda and Mitch Hart Distinguished Chair in Neurology at UT Southwestern, succeeds Dr. Steven Cannon, who was named associate dean for undergraduate education in June.
Dr. Goldberg was the founding director of Washington University’s Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, a campus-wide initiative promoting research on brain diseases of children and adults. At the Hope Center, he brought together researchers and clinicians from many specialties to work on complex nervous-system disorders. He plans to take the same interdisciplinary approach at UT Southwestern.
“I’m most interested in developing new treatments for neurological diseases,” Dr. Goldberg said. “Doctors and patients often think that conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease are untreatable. We need to recognize neurology as a discipline that improves the lives of our patients.
“UT Southwestern has long been a pioneering institution for brain science,” he said. “We have the opportunity to develop collaborative research initiatives that move these advances to patient care.”
At Washington University, Dr. Goldberg served as professor of neurology, neurobiology and biomedical engineering. He also was co-head of the Cerebrovascular Disease Section and was director of a Web education project that deals with stroke.
Dr. Goldberg’s research focuses on injury to the brain’s “white matter,” which contains the long “arms” by which nerves reach other areas of the brain. White matter gets its color from the insulating fatty coating that makes nerve cells more efficient. Several diseases and injuries, including stroke, trauma and multiple sclerosis, can damage this coating.
He also studies how nerve cells can form new connections to neighboring nerve cells after injury.
“He was identified as the best candidate for this position based on his exceptional accomplishments as a physician, scientist and teacher,” said Dr. J. Gregory Fitz, dean of the medical school, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at UT Southwestern. “Dr. Goldberg brings these considerable skills to UT Southwestern to focus on the continual development of multidisciplinary programs in neurology and neurosciences.”
Dr. Goldberg earned his medical degree from Columbia University after graduating from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He completed his neurology residency at Stanford University, where he also was a postdoctoral research fellow. He has received numerous awards from organizations including the Academy of Neurology, the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.
“Dr. Goldberg’s early high priorities,” Dr. Fitz said, “will be to build clinical and academic programs in stroke and research programs in cerebral ischemia through the new Beatrice Menne Haggerty Center for Research on Brain Injury and Repair in Stroke.”
JSI to bring Rabbi Joel Zeff to Dallas as scholar-in-residence
The Jewish Studies Initiative, under the leadership of Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, is bringing to Dallas an exemplary scholar-in-residence for five days of classes and talks. Rabbi Joel Zeff, most recently the head of Yeshivat Torat Yosef Hamivtar in Efrat, Israel, will be in town from Aug. 25 to 29.
On Wednesday evening, Aug. 25, Rabbi Zeff will be welcomed to Dallas at a private dinner. Thereafter, his schedule will be:
Friday, Aug. 27, noon–1 p.m. — Class at Congregation Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Ave. (in the Sardas Beit Midrash; includes lunch, $5):
“Why Learn Torah: A Radical Rambam, Right for Our Age.” What is the goal of learning Torah? Join an intellectual roller coaster ride and attempt to understand the Rambam’s theory of Torah education. Grapple with a difficult passage from the Mishneh Torah in which the Rambam seems to deviate from the Talmud. The key will lie in an ultra-controversial passage in his “Guide for the Perplexed” that was consigned to the flames by his detractors. If you never understood why the Rambam was controversial, you will now!
Shabbat, Aug. 27–28 –
Rabbi Zeff will be scholar-in-residence at Congregation Shaare Tefilla, 6131 Churchill Way.
Sunday, Aug. 29, 9:45 a.m.–12:10 p.m. — High Holy Day ReJEWvenation! A morning of camaraderie, study and preparation for the High Holy Days season at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road:
9:45–10 a.m., registration, bagels and coffee. 10–11 a.m., Rabbi Joel Zeff: “We Were as Dreamers: Dreams as a Tool for Teshuva.” Dreams constitute a major theme in the Bible, as well as the Talmud, yet few of us take our dreams seriously. Discover just how serious dreams can be and how they can be a profound tool for personal renewal during this lead-up to the High Holy Day season. 11:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m., Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger: “Cosmic Evolution and Personal Improvement.” The way we understand the world may be a key to the ability to accomplish our personal goals. Too many of us see ourselves as fighting against natural tendencies and inborn instincts which we think are holding us back from becoming what we wish to become. But there may be another way: Look deeper and discover the inherent Godliness of everything around us and the grand movement of the universe and of nature toward God and toward betterment. All we then need do is to plug ourselves into this nature movement and ride on its wave. In this way we may help ourselves to evolve into more of what we know we can be.
Sunday, Aug. 29, 4–6 p.m. — High Holy Days Seminar at Congregation Adat Chaverim, 6300 Independence Way, Suite A, Plano:
4–5 p.m. Rabbi Joel Zeff: “Life After Life: Jewish Perspectives on Death and the Afterlife.” In this pre-High Holy Days season of introspection, Jews revisit ultimate issues and ask ourselves hard questions about how we are using our limited time on this earth. A serious examination of the issues of death and the afterlife will help refocus on the meaning of life and redirect our energies in the most fruitful manner possible. 5–5:45 p.m.: Choice of sessions. Session with Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger: “Will the Real Rosh Hashanah Please Stand Up?” This presentation will debunk the myth that Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and will try to explain why many have adopted this mistaken notion. The truth is that the Passover season in the spring actually marks the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is something else entirely. Come discover how to focus your prayers on Rosh Hashanah by learning what the holiday is really about! Session with Rabbi Wendy Pein: “Why We Wear a Tallit During Kol Nidre and Other Rituals and Historical Facts About This Powerful Prayer.” Come learn the background and meaning of Kol Nidre and why it evokes such powerful emotions within us.
Sunday, Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. — Class at the Intown Chabad, 2723 Routh St.:
“Life After Life: Jewish Perspectives on Death and the Afterlife” (see above).
All programs are open to the public and are free of charge. For more information, please contact Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger at 214-789-7241 or ravhanan@sbcglobal.net or contact the co-sponsoring institution.
Posted on August 19, 2010 - by admin
Around the Town with Rene
Ahavath Sholom Film Series will open with a bang
And you thought Congregation Ahavath Sholom’s movies were good last season? Wait till you see “Waltz with Bashir” on Sunday, Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m. at CAS. You will be waiting with bated breath for more of what’s going to be the best season yet.
“Waltz with Bashir” is a fabulous film and shouldn’t be missed. It is a 2008 Israeli animated documentary written and directed by Ari Folman. It depicts Folman in search of his lost memories from the 1982 Lebanon War. This movie, among the first Israeli animated feature-length films, premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival where it entered the competition for the Palme d’Or, and since then has won and been nominated for many additional important awards while receiving wide acclaim from critics.
The film goes back to 1982 when Ari Folman was a 19-year-old infantry soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In 2006 he meets with a friend from his army service period, who tells him of the nightmares connected to his experiences from the Lebanon War. Folman is surprised to find that he does not remember a thing from that period. Later that night he has a vision from the night of the Sabra and Shatila massacre, the reality of which he is unable to tell. In his memory, he and his soldier friends are bathing at night by the seaside in Beirut under the light of flares descending over the city. Folman rushes off to meet another friend from his army service, who advises him to discuss it with other people who were in Beirut at the same time in order to understand what happened there and to revive his own memories. Folman converses with friends, a psychologist and a reporter who was in Beirut at the time. The film ends with animation dissolving into actual footage of the aftermath of the Sabra and Shatila massacre.
This is an important Israeli film and to view it is to help understand an Israeli view of conflict, among individuals as well as nations.
Remember, at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, the movies are free. Popcorn and lemonade are free as well. Cold drinks and candy bars are on sale with the proceeds going to the Shul’s United Synagogue Youth organization. The next film will be “Ajami,” showing on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m.
CAS thanks the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County for generously funding its film series. Stay tuned to enjoy and be a part of Congregation Ahavath Sholom’s ‘Til 120 and Beyond experience.
Thanks go to the Shul Film Committee for working on this project and when you see Batya Brand, Elizabeth Cohen, Phyllis Gordon, Suzie Herman, Etty Horowitz, Shoshana Howard, Stuart Isgur, Garry Kahalnik, Peter Lederman, Walter Listig, Alex Nason, Marla Owen, Debby Rice, Naomi Rosenfield, Nancy Sheinberg, Nancy Spiegel and Jim Stansbury, tell them how much you enjoy their work. And please keep coming!
Big crowd is on hand for tailgate party and outdoor movie
A large, enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the first-ever Tarrant County community Outdoor Movie event on Saturday, Aug. 7. The successful evening was sponsored by B’nai B’rith Isadore Garsek Lodge No. 269.
Jewish families from all over Tarrant County brought their lawn chairs to the parking lot of Congregation Ahavath Sholom in Fort Worth and enjoyed a cartoon and a screening of “Bye Bye Birdie” on a giant inflatable outdoor movie screen. The event was preceded by a tailgate party with music, food and classic cars.
Dr. Stan Kurtz and wife Marcia displayed Stan’s recently purchased mint condition ‘57 two-door Chevy Bel Air aqua/white hardtop, a high-performance souped-up “muscle car.” Dr. Bruce Weiner and wife Hollace arrived in Bruce’s ‘67 Green Ford Mustang convertible. Bruce is the original owner and has been driving it for over 43 years. This Mustang was the first new car Bruce ever bought.
Concessions were handled by a contingent of BBYO teens who kept 100 percent of the profits, which they will use to subsidize some of their upcoming fall programs.
The event was chaired by Jim and Elaine Stanton and Rich and Terri Hollander. Dozens of B’nai B’rith members showed up to assist with parking, concession supervision and greeting the crowds.
The Tarrant County lodge is the largest in the Southwest and one of the most active in the United States. Lodge activities include sponsoring an annual Jewish Person of the Year Awards Dinner, scholarship awards, Passover seder and Thanksgiving dinner for seniors, Christmas breakfast, lunch and gift distribution for the homeless and dozens of other programs.
News and notes
Recently, Corrine Jacobson was the guest speaker at the Lions Club in Cleburne. She addressed the topics in her book, “A Handbook for Widows,” to the group, who were interested in her concepts.
Congregation Beth Shalom will hold a game night on Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. in the synagogue’s social hall. Admission is $3 per person and includes snacks.
Posted on July 8, 2010 - by admin
Dallas Doings
Beth Torah reaches out to interfaith families
Congregation Beth Torah, in the vanguard of Conservative Judaism’s effort to “welcome strangers into the tent,” has laid the foundation for a Greater Dallas Keruv group. “Keruv” means to come closer and that is the exact description of efforts to welcome interfaith families and actively include them in synagogue life.
Statistics tell the story. More than one-third of American Jews are married to non-Jews. Close to one-half of recent “Jewish” marriages are between a Jew and a non-Jew. Of all the Jews who are cohabiting today, over 80 percent of these partnerships include individuals of non-Jewish origin.
With nearly half of all Jews marrying a non-Jew, there are few people in Conservative congregations who do not have an intermarried family member. Yet until recently, the issues surrounding intermarriage were rarely acknowledged in Conservative synagogues. At Congregation Beth Torah, the Keruv programming provides opportunities for people to explore issues relating to intermarriage in a safe and supportive environment. Intermarried families are welcome to join a forum to discuss their concerns and emotions and are invited to cross the synagogue threshold to discover acceptance and support.
Couples searching to find a community both to support raising Jewish children and to help husbands and wives grow as intermarried couples can now explore what is available right on their doorsteps. Rather than imposing preset programming, it is by meeting one another, the congregation, rabbi and educators that the families themselves guide what they need in order to feel comfortable at, and a part of, Beth Torah.
Known for its warmth and inclusiveness, Congregation Beth Torah and its dynamic spiritual leader, Rabbi Adam Raskin, have set a major goal to provide opportunities for interfaith families to participate in specially designed programming with no pressure to convert, change or do anything different in their lives except to raise their children in a Jewish household and to observe Jewish rituals as best they are able.
All too often, interfaith living is a lonely state. By providing opportunities to meet one another and to be warmly included in greater synagogue life, it is the intention of the congregation to strengthen interfaith families by developing and deploying a spectrum of specifically designed programming that provides connections into the main synagogue offerings.
Liz Cox, one of the Keruv leaders, continues to experience the acceptance, the vibrancy, the bonds she and her non-Jewish husband have found at Congregation Beth Torah. “This shul is exceptional and unique in how non-traditional families can become integrated in and integral to synagogue life. That is why I am excited about us serving others who are searching for a religious home. In other times, the Jewish people grew by having children. Today we must supplement that growth by embracing those who have cast their lots with us, by embracing those who help raise our Jewish children with us.”
Congregation Beth Torah, located at 720 W. Lookout Drive in Richardson, invites all interested people to join them from 9 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 10 for a summer Keruv luau. The plan is to have fun and meet others with similar interests and needs over dessert and finger foods. Please RSVP to keruv@congregationbethtorah.org to find out the specific location in the Frankford-Hillcrest area or call Carren Carpenter at the synagogue office, 972-234-1542, Option 3, for more information.
Looking for high school history teachers
Recognizing the national influence of Texas in the textbook adoption process, Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) based in California, and the JCRC of Greater Dallas became partners in a five-year project called the Public Education Initiative. PEI seeks to guarantee historical accuracy about Jews, Judaism and Israel in the Texas standards (TEKS) and the textbooks that will ultimately be adopted for use in Texas classrooms.
PEI achieves its goals through local outreach and Austin-based advocacy. Pat Epstein, who lives in Austin, has closely monitored the Texas standards revision process for the past year and has developed strong relationships with members of the SBOE and the Texas Education Agency, along with other key stakeholders, to achieve PEI goals. To date, this project has had tremendous impact. The vast majority of recommendations in the form of edits to the TEKS have been accepted and incorporated into the final TEKS which were approved in May 2010.
For the next phase of its work, PEI is looking to build relationships with Dallas and Fort Worth area Jewish history teachers at the secondary and high school level, Jewish parents who are active in their school districts at the PTA and Council of PTAs level, and school administrators. The help of the organized Jewish community is needed to identify such Jewish individuals.
If you can help, please contact June Penkar, outreach liaison, at jpenkar@jfgd.org or at 214-615-5233.
Kids: Take the Tycher challenge!
The Tycher Library, in cooperation with the J summer camps, is offering a special program to encourage summer reading called “The JCC/Tycher Library Summer Reading Challenge.” They are inviting all children to read or be read to.
Participants will log their own minutes weekly, and the library will offer incentive prizes for reaching certain goals: 500 minutes, coupon for an ice cream at Gooey’s; 1,000 minutes, coupon for a slice of pizza from Café Fino; 2,500 minutes, discount coupon for Half Price Books; 5,000 minutes, Tycher Library Summer Reading Challenge T-shirt.
The program is open to all young people, both JCC campers and others. While families are encouraged to include selections from the Tycher Library’s extensive collection of Jewish-themed children’s books, any books qualify. Stop by the Tycher Library, 7900 Northaven Road, to register or call Joan Gremont at 214-239-7132.
Sign up for your flu shots
It’s not too early to begin thinking about flu shots for this fall. Adat Chaverim Brotherhood will provide regular and H1N1 combination flu shots on Sunday, Sept. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for a cost of $22 per person. The immunizations will be given at Adat Chaverim, 6300 Independence Pkwy., Plano. Please contact Howard Hoffman at brotherhood@adatchaverim.org by Sept. 19 to RSVP.
A night to remember …
at Camp Chai!
Overnights at camp are the very special times; the fun begins when campers usually go home and continues through the next day. Camp Chai’s first overnight of the summer was on Thursday, June 24. A surprise Native American theme turned the overnight into a wonderful adventure. Face painting, headdress making, teepee creations and even archery lessons for older campers made this event a special one. The evening came to a close with a drum circle and naming ceremony. Camp Chai Director and TJP “Shabbat Lady” Laura Seymour says, “Magic happens on every overnight. Not only do we try new things and bond with our friends but our campers grow up right before our eyes. An overnight is truly a growing experience.”
Posted on July 8, 2010 - by admin
Around the Town with Rene
Federation targets three focus goals
The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County is continuing its strategic planning process. With the consulting help of Jewish Federations of North America, the project has gone through the data-gathering and analysis phases, as well as a final data review by the Federation board. The last phase of the project is final tactical recommendations to the board, in August. This will identify more specific actions, associated costs and timeframes.
According to Executive Director Mort House, “The board has arrived at three general areas of focus over the next 3–5 years … outreach to our younger adult population; outreach to Eastern Tarrant County Jewry; and enhanced Federation marketing and communications. This will in no way alter our current mission nor deemphasize the significant strengths in our traditional areas such as support for Israel, JFS and local Jewish education. Rather, these new priorities will demand a higher level of lay involvement and some additional funding for programming. But after a community survey, several focus groups and a board retreat, it is clear that we need to work more on these areas. Implementation will begin once the board approves final recommendations from our three area committees. We see a September implementation.”
Woody Allen film on tap for ‘Daytimers’
Next event for the “Daytimers” is the annual movie and ice cream social, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, featuring the Woody Allen film “Whatever Works.”
The film is about an eccentric New Yorker played by Larry David who abandons his upper-class life to lead a more bohemian existence.
Boris Yelnikoff (David), a misanthropic chess teacher from Greenwich Village, finds a young woman (Evan Rachel Wood) from Mississippi lying on his doorstep. He takes her in for the night and eventually marries her, despite their 40-year age difference and their clashing cultural backgrounds. His philosophy on the matter is that life is short so he might as well enjoy himself. But when he meets her family, no two people seem to get along in the entanglements that follow.
The program includes all the popcorn and ice cream you can eat plus the film for only $5. Reservations are requested so there will be enough ice cream for all. No-fat, low-fat and sugar-free have already been ordered. For other special diet requests, please call Barbara Rubin.
For reservations, call Barbara Rubin, 817-927-2736, or Sylvia Wexler, 817-294-1129, or checks can be mailed to Daytimers, Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
The Sylvia Wolens “Daytimers” is a program of Beth-El Congregation with financial support from the Jewish Federation.
Israel Scouts/Tzofim Friendship Caravan takes Fort Worth by storm
On Wednesday, June 30, as the month of June came to a hot and humid end, the Israel Scouts/Tzofim Friendship Caravan rolled into Cowtown for the first time in many years. The Caravan, sponsored by Friends of Israel Scouts, Inc., is sent to the United States each summer as informal ambassadors of the state of Israel bringing a sample of Israeli culture to America. This team of talented 16- and 17-year-old boy and girl scouts spends months during their 11th-grade year in high school preparing a multimedia program of videos, songs and dances which they perform from June through August in cities all over the United States. The 40 teens and their eight 20-something counselors divide into four teams and crisscross the country in a 12-passenger van towing a U-Haul trailer filled with their equipment and personal belongings.
Their day in Fort Worth began by spending a morning with the campers and staff at the JEA’s Camp Sholom. They brought a program with them from Israel to teach the campers a little bit about the Jewish state, Judaism and Zionism in an informal, fun environment. After enjoying a typical American hot dog lunch, the scouts bid farewell to the campers and spent a couple of hours at the Fort Worth Stockyards, where they experienced the cattle drive, seeing longhorns for the first time and ending their visit with a taste of Texas, Blue Bell ice cream cones.
Returning to Congregation Ahavath Sholom, they prepared for their 7 p.m. performance for the Fort Worth community. Over 100 people came out on a rainy evening to participate in the “Caravan experience.” The songs and dances reflected the diversity of cultures found in Israel. Videos included greetings from the mayor of Jerusalem and an invitation to visit the holy city, an introduction to the scouts’ families and a special tribute to Gilad Shalit, the kidnapped Israeli soldier who has been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for the past four years. The tribute also included a message from Shalit’s father, thanking us for not forgetting his son and for our support in attempting to gain Gilad’s release. Everyone that saw the performance left Zale Auditorium with a smile on his face and the anticipation of next year’s visit by the scouts. Special thanks go out to the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County for their funding of this wonderful cultural event.
CAS elects new board, officers
Congregation Ahavath Sholom is proud to announce the election of its new officers and board of directors. Officers include: Marvin Beleck, president; Dr. Murray Cohen, first vice president; Ebrahim Lavi, second vice president; Dr. Nancy Faigin, third vice president; Edwin Bond, treasurer; Naomi Rosenfield, secretary; Stuart Isgur, parliamentarian. Directors include: Irwin Blum, Suzanne Herman, David Saul, Rick Savitz, Jodi Berger, Elsie Blum, Harry Labovitz, Andres Zapata, Robert Dubinsky, Walter Listig, Debby Rice, Carol-Ann Schwartz, J.R. Faigin, Aaron Levy, Naomi Brand. Elections were held at the annual congregational meeting on June 13. Congratulations to the new board of directors.
Posted on July 1, 2010 - by admin
Dallas Doings
Goldberg Brothers support Dallas fireworks show
Dallas will have a Fourth of July fireworks celebration this year at Fair Park after all. After the disappointing news of this festive tradition being canceled due to insufficient funds, Gold Metal Recyclers stepped up to the plate last week with a sizable donation to keep this civic event alive. Kenny and Neil Goldberg are natives of Dallas and remain very involved with the community. “Sponsoring the annual fireworks show is just one way we can show our support for our city and our nation’s birthday,” Kenny Goldberg said. “We have operated our business here for over three decades and will continue to give back to our community in times of need.”
This year’s celebration will take place on Monday, July 5, at Fair Park. Admission is free, and food and refreshments will be available. Everyone is encouraged to join the Goldbergs on Monday evening to celebrate this exciting and memorable occasion for our city of Dallas.
Big winners score at Casino Night at the J
Bingo, roulette, craps, three-card poker, slot machines and blackjack were all part of Casino Night, June 17, at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center. Between games there was plenty of cheesecake drizzled with chocolate and caramel along with light appetizers to accompany the punch bowl full of sangria. The big winners took home restaurant gift cards, a Neiman Marcus spa package, wristwatches and accessories for the home. The J thanks the Bingo/Casino Committee and sponsors (Anita Marx, Bravo Health, Faith Presbyterian Hospice, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Research Across America, Town Village North Dallas, Treemont Retirement Community and 770 KAAM Radio) for their generous support. For more information about senior programs and activities at the J, contact Heather Cordova at 214-239-7149 or hcordova@jccdallas.org.
ExxonMobil Foundation grant brings summer intern to Media Projects
Andrea Schpok has joined Media Projects, Inc. as an ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program intern in Dallas this summer. At Media Projects, Andrea will engage in marketing and social networking work while getting a behind-the-scenes introduction to film production and the nonprofit sector.
Filmmakers Allen Mondell and Cynthia Salzman Mondell, founders of Media Projects, bring important social and community issues to life through their films, which have earned numerous awards and their place at prestigious screenings in the United States and abroad for the past three decades. Media Projects has a strong history of addressing historical and current Jewish issues through their films, “The Monster Among Us,” “The Dallas Jewish Journey,” “West of Hester Street” and “Make Me a Match.”
Andrea’s marketing work will focus around two Media Projects films. The first, “Sole Sisters,” Cynthia Salzman Mondell’s newest film in progress, unites women of all walks of life through stories of their relationships with shoes. The second, “A Reason to Live,” sheds light on the serious issues of depression and suicide among young adults and their impact on families.
“After watching one of these films or even meeting the Mondells, you realize that Media Projects is really something special,” Andrea said. “I am delighted to have the task of promoting material I can believe in and am excited to be involved with the production of the latest films in progress.”
Back from Tufts University in Boston to her hometown of Dallas for the summer, Andrea will intern for eight weeks. Media Projects was selected as one of 75 Dallas-area not-for-profit agencies granted student interns through the 2010 ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program, funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation.
For more information, visit www.mediaprojects.org and www.solesistersfilm.com. “Sole Sisters” also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/solesistersfilm.
JWVA plans fun, food, music at elegant luncheon
The Jewish War Veterans’ Auxiliary 256 membership luncheon will be held in an elegant setting at The Tradition–Prestonwood, 15250 Prestonwood Blvd., on Sunday, July 18, at 11:30 a.m.
There is no pressure to join the auxiliary. The occasion is to honor members who give of themselves in so many ways and to enlighten guests as to what they do. Attendees will enjoy the music of vocalist Lori Cohen and pianist Mimi Guten. The event promises fun, food and entertainment.
There is no charge to members or guests, but reservations are required by Friday, July 9. Please RSVP to Dottie Garment, 972-985-7806, or Rosalee Cohen, 972-233-2001.
Posted on July 1, 2010 - by admin
Around the Town with Rene
Julian Haber publishes thriller
Julian Haber’s new mystery/espionage thriller, “A Nail In The Body of Christ,” was recently published. Terrorists in Morocco send a message to an American newsman that they will put a nail in the body of Christ and a bullet in the heart of Israel. Mark Allen, former FBI regional director in Dallas, retires to Port Aransas near Corpus Christi. However, an unusual friendship and accident that almost costs his life forces him out of retirement and into direct conflict with a terrorist shadow cell. Nonstop action, romance and mystery takes place in this fast-paced thriller with secret codes, modern criminal technology and intrigue. With colorful characters, the novel will keep you at the edge of your seat and guessing at the conclusion until the very end.
Signed copies are available for $16 at Free Lance Writers, 7001 Candlestick Court, Fort Worth 76133. It is also available at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com and www.outskirtspress.com/anailinthebodyofchrist.
For more information, contact Julian Haber, 817-346-1902 or julianhaber@aol.com.
JVW Post #755 installs new slate of officers
On Sunday, June 13, more than 80 people attended the installation of officers, the presentation of the first Veterans Service Award and silent auction held by JWV Post #755 in the great hall of Congregation Beth-El. A wonderful breakfast was prepared by Congregation Beth-El Brotherhood.
TALO (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma) District Commander Jerry Benjamin of Dallas conducted the installation. Mike London of Austin, outgoing district commander, was present. Elected officers include: Commander Dr. Julian Haber for a second term; Senior Vice Commander Richard Morris; Junior Vice Commanders Ron Silvenell and Peter Levy; Quartermaster Leroy Solomon; and Staff Judge Advocate Jim Bressert.
Appointed officers were: Chief of Staff Ron Sloter; Adjunct Tom Collins; Chaplain Rabbi Sidney Zimelman; Historian Mike Bugamen; Assistant Chaplain Pete Levy; Returning Secretary Hannah Howard; Assistant Quartermaster Les Berman; and James Bressert, officer of the day.
The First Veterans Service Award was presented to State Senator Wendy Davis for her efforts in the Senate on behalf of Texas veterans. She co-authored the Texas veterans assistance and veterans court bill and was instrumental in the passage of the veterans lottery.
JFS Seniors check out Mrs. Baird’s bread bakery
The JFS Seniors toured Mrs. Baird’s bread factory and then had a wonderful lunch at Joe’s Pizza and Pasta on I-35 and Sycamore School Road. The tour was a lot of fun, with the most laughs and giggles watching everyone put on red hairnets and hard hats. Hot fresh bread at the end of the tour and donuts to take home also made it a memorable and fun time.
Next month, the JFS seniors are hoping to go to Sam Moon and Cabela’s for shopping and touring. In the meantime, they continue to meet daily for fun, games and lunch. Please join them at Beth-El Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for coffee and friendship.
Send your get-well wishes
You can send a get-well card to Leon Brachman, long a pillar of our community as well as on a national basis, to Life Care Hospital. His daughter, Wendy Fisher, is visiting from Efrat, Israel.
Speedy recovery wishes to Genie Long.
Update from the Goldsteins
Red Goldstein recently gave the TJP the following update: “Son Andy Goldstein has been in South Africa for the World Cup games. Son David Goldstein has been accepted to American University on a partial scholarship to study international relations. He wants to improve his already impressive Spanish, Chinese and Hebrew language skills. Son Jacob Fuld is at Greene Family Camp having a wonderful time and is looking forward to his freshman year at Paschal.” Julie and Red have added a poodle and a tabby to their already crazy collection of pets, which now consists of two dogs, three cats and one gecko!
Mazel tov
Mazel tov to some newly betrothed couples! Stephen Luskey, son of Susan and Alan is engaged; Linda Hochster’s son Brent is engaged; Hannah Howard, who lost her husband a couple of years ago, is engaged to Joe Klein, and they will have an August date set! Congratulations to a new graduate as well: Justin Tirsun, son of Robin and Dan Tirsun and grandson of the late Beverly Miller, graduated from Rutgers Graduate School in New Jersey with his degree in city and urban planning.
It’s a small world
When daughter Sharon Wisch-Ray was traveling in the Western Galilee two weeks ago, she spent considerable time with Dr. Norman Loberant and his wife. Dr. Loberant is the co-Chair of the Medical Task Force of the Central Area Consrtium Western Galilee Partnership and the director of the Department of Radiology of the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya. He mentioned that his college roommate was originally from Dallas and now lived in Fort Worth. Sharon was so surprised to hear that it was our own Dr. Martin Tobey, as she was the longtime babysitter for the Tobey family. Message to Marty and Judy, “Hello from the Loberants.” By the way, Fort Worth is part of the 15-city United States Consortium that makes up the Partnership with the Western Galilee.
Posted on June 25, 2010 - by admin
Dallas Doings
CSI says goodbye to Menashe/Musher family
Come to Congregation Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Ave., on Saturday, June 26, 9:30 a.m., as they bid a fond farewell to the Menashe/Musher family: Deborah, Rabbi Joe, Molly, Gabriel and Samuel. The Menashe/Musher family will be here through July; however, CSI wants the community to have the opportunity to come together before many members begin their summer breaks.
Farewell breakfast for Rabbi and Mrs. Herb Cohen
The Community Kollel of Dallas bids farewell to Rabbi Herb and Meryl Cohen and salutes them for their years of service to our community. In their honor, the Kollel will hold a farewell breakfast on Sunday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at Congregation Shaare Tefilla, 6131 Churchill Way. The community is welcome to attend. Please call 214-295-3525 or e-mail kollelofdallas@sbcglobal.net to RSVP or for further information.
JFS to review progress in a year of challenge
Jewish Family Service invites the community to its 2010 annual meeting on Monday, June 28, as the organization celebrates its “Innovative Progress in a Year of Economic Challenge.”
Model services, collaborative partnerships and new programs will be discussed. In addition, Todd Chanon, incoming JFS president, and the new officers and board members will be installed. JFS will thank its outgoing president, Robin Sachs, and the officers and board members who have served during the past year, as well as supporters of the organization who have made its achievements possible, and will honor volunteer award recipients.
The program begins at 6:30 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres, followed by the meeting at 7. It will take place at Temple Shalom, 6930 Alpha Road at Hillcrest. Dietary laws will be observed. Please RSVP to rsvp@jfsdallas.org or 972-437-9950, ext. 303. For more information about Jewish Family Service, please visit the Web site at www.jfsdallas.org or call 972-437-9950.
Waldman Bros. donates funds to benefit three local fire stations
On Wednesday, June 9, partners and senior management from Waldman Bros. gathered at Fire Station 41 at Preston Road and Royal Lane for a public presentation of funds to purchase lifesaving equipment. In conjunction with Fireman’s Fund and CRC Insurance, a donation of nearly $35,000 was made to benefit three local fire stations. Steve Waldman, partner and CEO of Waldman Bros., was given hands-on experience with the newly purchased hydraulic extrication tool. Todd Chanon, partner and COO of Waldman Bros., gave a short speech before the check presentation, praising the service and dedication of the fire crews, and thanking the participating companies that made the gift possible.
Cynthia Mondell launches Sole Sisters project
Calling all Sole Sisters! The right pair of shoes can lift both your spirits and your soles. Join forces with award-winning filmmaker Cynthia Salzman Mondell of Media Projects as she collects women’s stories and mounts the financial campaign for her Sole Sisters film project. Media Projects, Inc.’s mission for Sole Sisters is to produce a documentary about women’s lives seen through personal stories about their shoes. Anchored by the film, Media Projects will develop a multimedia platform with educational and entertainment experiences that include the Web, theater and publishing opportunities. The Sole Sisters project will reach a global audience as it celebrates, uplifts and empowers women of all ages, ethnicities and walks of life.
Share those intimate, never-before-told stories about your relationship with your shoes at www.solesistersfilm.com.
Dallas Holocaust Museum: free admission this summer to military families
Military families with loved ones on active duty are offered free admission to the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance this summer.
The Holocaust Museum is an official participant of a program called Blue Star Museums in which active duty military personnel and their families receive free admission to more than 700 museums across the United States, including several in the Dallas area.
The offer runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The program is the idea of Kathy Roth-Douquet, chairwoman of Blue Star Families. Her husband, Marine Corps Col. Greg Douquet, is on his third deployment to Afghanistan.
“You can feel a little alone in America right now, being part of the 1 percent that’s involved in fighting these wars,” she said. “When the kids and I go to museums this summer, we know we’re being welcomed. It will make us feel less alone.”
The Dallas Holocaust Museum is located at 211 N. Record St. in Dallas’ historic West End district. More information is available at www.dallasholocaustmuseum.org.
Dallas Holocaust Museum hires new development director
Maria MacMullin, an experienced development professional with a track record of successful fundraising initiatives, is the new director of development for the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance. Ms. MacMullin was selected from a highly qualified pool of development professionals from across the United States.
She served previously as director of development for Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation, where she cultivated major gifts of over $1 million for the completion of a cancer center. The “Cancer Should Not Have the Last Word” capital campaign raised more than $23 million for the center.
A native of Pennsylvania, Ms. MacMullin also served as assistant director of development for the Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, NJ. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Master of Liberal Arts degree from that institution.
“I am humbled and extremely excited about joining the Museum,” MacMullin said, “and I look forward to bringing new opportunities for advancement to the community through enhanced donor-focused programs and services. Many of the Museum’s constituents have so many interesting and important stories to share; one of my goals is to get to know the people behind the Museum and ensure that their legacies are preserved for future generations through successful fundraising, membership and other efforts.”
Posted on June 25, 2010 - by admin
Around the Town with Rene
SWUSY: Half a century old and it’s still ‘weird’
In 1960 Southwest United Synagogue Youth (SWUSY) was born, and on June 6–9 of this year the group celebrated its half-century mark as the 50th annual regional convention, “Keep SWUSY Weird,” was held in Austin. It was four fun-filled days of ruach, discussion groups, services, crowd surfing, and a ton of weird activities including a toga party and a bubble dance. In attendance were 14 chapters across Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas including local chapters from Fort Worth, Dallas, Richardson and Plano. Belaynesh Zevadia, deputy consul for the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest, was a featured speaker discussing the rise of ongoing defamation of Israel on U.S. college campuses.
As part of the convention agenda, SWUSY held its regional executive board (REB) elections. It was a historic occasion as the 50th SWUSY board was installed.
SWUSY thanks its 2009-2010 REB: Max Leader (Richardson), president; Jonathan Lipton (San Antonio), programming/Israel affairs VP; Benjamin Goldwater (Richardson), religion/education/culture VP; Josh Plotkin (Oklahoma City, Okla.), membership/Kadima VP; Abby Kitmacher (Clear Lake, Texas), social action/tikkun olam VP; and Debra Goss (Oklahoma City, OK), communications VP.
Congratulations to the 2010–2011 SWUSY REB: Abby Kitmacher (Clear Lake), president; Stephanie Mintz (Fort Worth), programming/Israel affairs VP; Alex Hamilton (Oklahoma City, Okla.), religion/education/culture VP; Elijah Price (Austin), membership/Kadima VP; Maya Hunt (Austin), social action/tikkun olam VP; and Drew Lieberman (Austin), communications VP.
SWUSY invited alumni for the final banquet. Alumni in attendance dated back to the 1970s. Special guests at the banquet were Mueriel Carp, president, Mid-Continent United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), and Joe Mintz, the Southwest Regional Youth Commission Chair.
In its second half-century, the group faces challenges of anti-Israel rallies and extending aid in world crises. Because the Southwest region is small, its strength is in its spirit, which keeps it alive and kicking!
‘Daytimers’ enjoy ‘Kids Who Care’
“Kids Who Care” returned for an encore performance for the “Daytimers” with an all-new show, “District XI – Believe in Me,” a wonderful opportunity for the guests to bring their grandchildren to lunch. Among the grandchildren present were Sonia and Gerry Hecht’s grandson Adrian Roix. Trudy Post’s guests were her son-in-law Rusty Feld and grandchildren Ben and Esther Feld. Steve and Shelly Sternblitz brought their grandchildren, twins Jessy and Hannah, and Dakota Sternblitz. There were also a number of youngsters there brought by the enthusiastic followers of the “Kids Who Care” program. Special guests included Ina and Mike Singer’s daughter from Kansas City, Madelyn Greenberg. This week is the Singer’s 60th Anniversary, and Ina brought chocolate cake for everyone. There was even enough cake for many of the “Kids” in the program to enjoy.
The “Kids Who Care” organization will send eight or nine Israeli exchange students and a chaperon in July to participate in a musical theater program. This represents the 13th summer of exchanges with Israel. The young people are home hosted by volunteers who open their homes and essentially “adopt” the kids for the month of July. Most students pay a tuition that covers camp, cultural activities, lunch daily and medical insurance. Jewish families in Fort Worth who might be interested in hosting an exchange student from Israel can e-mail kathryn@kidswhocare.org or call 817-737-5437. The students, ninth- and 10th-graders (mostly girls), will arrive July 5 and depart August 2–3.
Next event for “Daytimers” is the annual movie and ice cream social, Wednesday, July 14, at 1 p.m., featuring the Woody Allen film “Whatever Works.” It is about an eccentric New Yorker played by Larry David who abandons his upper-class life to lead a more bohemian existence. He meets a young girl from the South and her family, and no two people seem to get along in the entanglements that follow. The program includes all the popcorn and ice cream you can eat plus the film for only $5. For reservations, call Barbara Rubin, 817-927-2736, or Sylvia Wexler, 817-294-1129, or checks can be mailed to Daytimers, Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109. The Sylvia Wolens “Daytimers” is a program of Beth-El Congregation with financial support from the Jewish Federation.
Posted on June 17, 2010 - by admin
Dallas Doings
JFGD to elect new slate at annual meeting
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas invites its supporters to the 2010 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 22, with a reception at 6:45 p.m. in the Zale Auditorium at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road. The program, starting at 7:30, will honor outstanding leaders in the Jewish community who have demonstrated excellence in their support of the Federation’s 2010 Annual Campaign. The agenda also includes the election of new officers and board members. The annual meeting is chaired by Barbi and Scott Cohen.
The slate of new officers and board members selected by the Nominating Committee are Jeffrey Rasansky as chairman-elect and Vice-Chairs Harold Gernsbacher, Brian M. Lidji and Barbara Stein. Board members nominated for a three-year term are Shelley Becker, David Greenstone, Cindy Sweet Moskowitz, Todd Platt and A.J. Rosmarin; for a two-year term, Jack Baum and Eric Pinker; Robert L. Feldman, Daniel J. Prescott and Cary Rossel have one-year chairman’s appointments to the board. Other board members include David Veeder, Chairman, Michael A. Cohen, Seth Davidow, Stefani Eisenstat, Adam W. Fenster, Fred Grunewald, Rick Lacher, Sharon Levin, Lillian Pinkus, Frank A. Risch, Rabbi Adam J. Raskin, Ari J. Susman and Sue Tilis. Carol Aaron is the past chairman and Gary Weinstein, president and CEO.
Stuart Blaugrund and Louis Zweig will be accorded special recognition for their dedicated work on behalf of Federation and the community; Bill Finkelstein will receive the Campaigner of the Year Award; Sandy Cohen, the Helen Gross Leadership Award; Doug Baer, the I. Zesmer Young Leadership Award; and Stacey Baer, the Bess Nathan Young Leadership Award.
David Veeder, the Federation’s chairman, a dynamic leader whose focus is on Federation’s value to the community, has led it to greater efficiencies, as well as creating initiatives to reach out to those not familiar with its work. “It’s been a great first year,” he notes. “There is much to be proud of, and still so much more to accomplish.” Gary Weinstein reflects on the past year: “I am grateful to all of our donors and our wonderful volunteers for their support of the Federation’s 2010 Annual Campaign. We have finished strong and it has been a community effort.”
Yellow balloon campaign for Gilad Shalit
We will soon mark the fourth anniversary of the kidnapping of Cpl. Gilad Shalit of the Israel Defense Forces. On June 25, 2006, after an infiltration and attack by terrorists near Kibbutz Kerem Shalom in southern Israel, two IDF soldiers were killed and four others were wounded. Gilad Shalit was abducted and has been held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip ever since. The International Red Cross has been denied access to Gilad, and his exact whereabouts and physical conditions are unknown. A video of Gilad, released by Hamas in October of 2009, is the last his family has seen of him.
Shearith Israel will participate in a program organized by Koach, the College Branch of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism to help further awareness of this ongoing tragedy. The multifaceted program will include an e-mail campaign to send virtual yellow balloons that say “Bring Gilad Home” and also will use Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. As a participating synagogue, Shearith will display yellow balloons throughout the week of June 21 to show solidarity with Gilad, and will include special prayers in all services.
The campaign urges people to write to their elected officials asking them to maintain pressure on the international community to free Gilad, and to write to his parents expressing support. Shearith Israel will have an information table throughout the week, and members can sign letters at Shearith during its Blues Sunday program on Sunday, June 27. On Friday, June 25, a few members of the Israeli teen performance group, Israel Scout Tzofim Friendship Caravan, will give a special performance at Shearith Israel’s north satellite, Beit Aryeh, located on the campus of the Ann and Nate Levine Academy, 18011 Hillcrest Road.
AJC Dallas presented with first-place Szabad Award
The AJC Dallas office was honored with American Jewish Committee’s first-place Szabad Award during its 
104th annual meeting in Washington, D.C. in May. The Szabad Award, originally named in honor of the late Shirley M. Szabad, a longtime AJC leader from Westchester, N.Y., is bestowed for an outstanding program or project among the 28 regional AJC offices.
Catch the spirit of Joyful Noise at Beth Torah!
The sounds of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw have nothing on the Joyful Noise Ensemble involved in enriching early Kabbalat Shabbat services at Congregation Beth Torah.
The name of the group originates from a biblical quote, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” and its members capture incredible energy and spirit. The goals of the service are to encourage congregational participation by providing compelling and exciting tunes to prayers already known. Bob Austein, percussionist and longtime congregant, marvels that people from preschoolers to seniors wind up with smiles on their faces, songs tripping from their mouths, hands clapping and happiness exuding from their pores.
Early Kabbalat Shabbat services are offered only during the spring and summer months in order to take advantage of the late setting of the sun and to be respectful of synagogue traditions regarding the use of instrumentation once Shabbat begins. Joyful Noise service books with transliteration and translation are provided to enable participants to feel fully comfortable and to join in the joy of this vibrant Shabbat service.
Capturing incredible energy and spirit, the group includes keyboard, soprano sax (which can create a wonderful “klezmer” sound), flute, harp, guitars and percussion. The biggest compliment is when upcoming bar/bat mitzvah families request that Joyful Noise services be conducted on their child’s important Shabbat.
Upcoming Kabbalat Shabbat service dates where you can catch the spirit with Joyful Noise are June 18, July 23 and Aug. 13. Services at Congregation Beth Torah begin at 6:30 p.m. For further information, call Cathey Treider at 972-234-1542.
Ari Schonbrun to tell his personal 9/11 story
DATA–Dallas Area Torah Association will present a riveting lecture by Ari Schonbrun on Thursday, June 24, at 7:45 p.m. On Sept. 11, 2001, Ari was en route to his office on the 101st floor of the Twin Towers when the first plane hit. He recognized a co-worker who had third-degree burns, and proceeded in helping her down 78 flights of stairs to safety. His astounding story was published in many newspapers and magazines and recorded in a number of books. His heroic story serves as an inspiration to many, and is living proof of the tenacity of the human spirit.
Born and raised in New York, Ari Schonbrun moved to Israel with his family at the age of 14. When Ari returned to the United States, he worked at United Mizrachi Bank for ten years, rising to the position of head trader. In 1993, he went to work for Cantor Fitzgerald.
The program will take place at Congregation Ohr HaTorah, 6324 Churchill Way, Dallas. Suggested donation is $10. For more information, please call DATA at 214-987-3282.
Former head of military intelligence from Israel will speak on homeland security
Come hear the former head of Israeli military intelligence and get your summer networking in gear! The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce presents “Homeland Security, Global Intelligence, High-Tech Security and Intelligent Buildings of the Future” on Wednesday, June 23, 5:45–7:45 p.m.
The speaker, Major General (Res.) Aharon Zeevi Farkash, is a world leading security expert who served as head of Israeli military intelligence and now heads the Intelligence and National Defense Program of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University. He also founded FST21 in 2007 with a vision of developing the key to enter the intelligent building of the future with an automated access technology.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear about a variety of important topics including intelligence, technology, security and its applications. The session is especially pertinent for real estate developers, builders and building managers, security companies, telecom/wireless and software innovators, those interested in security and the general public.
The talk will be held at Gardere Wynne Sewell, 1601 Elm St., Suite 3000. Dress is business casual. There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP to Greg Yavner, president and CEO of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce, at gregtxisrael@gmail.com.
Posted on June 17, 2010 - by admin
Around the Town with Rene
Shuggie Cohen named Jewish Person of the Year
Well-known Dallas/Fort Worth reporter Rafael McDonnell was on the scene at the Jewish Person of the Year Dinner last week. Rafael filed the following report on the festivities as beloved Shuggie Cohen was named the Jewish Person of the Year. Thanks, Rafael, for doing such a stellar job of reporting.
Most of Fort Worth is asleep at three in the morning. But not Alfred “Shuggie” Cohen, the winner of B’nai B’rith’s 2009 Fort Worth Jewish Person of the Year award. His day starts at 3 a.m. with exercise and a three-mile run.
Cohen received the award June 6 at a dinner held at Temple Beth-El in Fort Worth. He said it was a surprise to him. “I didn’t expect it, but I really feel honored that they thought of me to make me the person of the year. I didn’t know that it qualified me for this honor. It should have gone to somebody more qualified,” Cohen said.
As a greeter and volunteer at Congregation Ahavath Shalom for about two decades, Cohen is a familiar figure and steady presence for scores of people. He’s served as a volunteer at many programs including Jewish Family Services. And at midday, you can find him at as a participant in the seniors’ lunch program. That is, when he’s not on the golf course or running his second three miles of the day.
“I’ve been running for over 50 years, three miles every morning and afternoon,” Cohen said. In fact, he estimates he’s run over 50,000 miles in his lifetime. “The only time I wouldn’t run is in the ice,” Cohen added.
Cohen’s devotion to service extends to the neighbors he passes on the early morning run. He takes the time to toss their newspapers closer to their front porches. “At four o’clock in the morning I don’t wake anybody up. They think that they have a good newspaperman; what they don’t know is that it’s an old man,” he said with a laugh.
Cohen was born in Fort Worth, but as a young man he moved with his family to Wichita Falls. That’s where he met his late wife, Eva Dale Cohen, one day at the soda fountain of a drugstore. Cohen went to work for Zale’s Jewelers, which originated in that city, and stayed with the company for several decades. He later moved to Laredo, and then finally to Fort Worth. At the awards ceremony, Cohen was joined by some of his children, five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Robert Chicotsky, a member of the committee who chose Cohen as Fort Worth’s Jewish Person of the Year, said Cohen was a logical choice for the award. “We look for Fort Worth community activity, leadership and Jewish community leadership and involvement. [Shuggie] knows everybody, and everybody cares about him,” Chicotsky said.
B’nai Brith also awarded three scholarships as part of the evening program to Eric Kuptsin, Ashley Uptegraft and Shani Hoffman. Kuptsin is a 2010 graduate of Paschal High School; Uptegraft graduated from Fort Worth Country Day School; and Hoffman graduated from Aledo High School. The Texas Gypsies performed while guests dined on barbecue.
News and Notes
Brittany Ackerman, daughter of Shawn Ackerman and Gayle Biemeret, and granddaughter of Leroy and Rhoda Solomon, was honored and inducted into the National Honor Society at North Crowley High School earlier this year. In addition to her being selected for her scholastic achievement, Brittany has been active in many community projects. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. “Shepping nachas” with Brittany’s induction into the NHS are her entire family. Her bubby, Rhoda, was also the recipient of the National Honor Society Award during her high school days in New Jersey.
