Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

Posted on August 26, 2010 - by admin

Thousands gather at Victory Plaza to celebrate Israel

By Rachel Gross

The message at Victory Plaza on Aug. 22 was loud and clear: Dallas supports Israel. More than 5,000 Jews and non-Jews from the Metroplex gathered in downtown Dallas in blazing 105-degree heat to celebrate the land and people of Israel and the contributions Israel has made to the world. As the temperatures soared, so did the spirit of the crowd.

“The Party on the Plaza: A Celebration of Israel” was the first public celebration of its kind. The free event, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, featured activities for the entire family. It was co-chaired by Stephanie Hirsh and Charles Pulman, and co-produced by Jason Schwartz and Zev Shulkin.

Activities included a Dead Sea spa; displays about technological achievements and humanitarian contributions of Israel; a mock Kotel; letter writing to Israeli soldiers; live music and Israeli dancing; and much more. Various Jewish organizations were on location as well.

Frisco resident and Temple Shalom member Ray Farris said he was proud to be among fellow Jews.

“I’m in outside sales and often don’t feel comfortable wearing my kippah, but here I can wear it proudly,” he said. “It’s amazing to see everyone here and it makes me proud to be Jewish.”

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert; Meir Shlomo, Houston-based consul general of Israel to the Southwest; Rabbi Adam Raskin; and Pastor Terri Pearsons of Eagle Mountain Church in Newark, Texas, all spoke about why it’s important to favor Israel.

Leppert said the celebration allowed people to see the innovations Israel has brought to the world and showed how Texas supports Israel and its endeavors.

“Today, we live in difficult times and I cannot think of another time in history better to support Israel than right now in 2010,” he said. “It’s not just one day; we need to support Israel 365 days a year.”

Rabbi Adam Raskin, president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Dallas and spiritual leader of Richardson’s Congregation Beth Torah, highlighted what it means to be a Zionist and how publicly backing Israel is beneficial for everyone.

“Zionism is the essential hope for the Jewish people,” he said. “I am a Zionist because I love Israel. I want peace for my brothers and sisters in Israel, for the entire nation. I’m a Zionist because nowhere else in the world do skyscrapers make me cry. When I see that sprawling city line of Tel Aviv and imagine that just 100 years ago that bustling metropolis of ingenuity didn’t exist, my Zionist heart bursts with pride. Israel is a courageous, free, industrious Jewish state and 62 years later, we are here in Dallas celebrating.”

Raskin added that despite all of the anti-Israeli propaganda in the world, it is imperative to band together and share the knowledge of Israel. He said having Jews and non-Jews celebrate Israel’s gifts to the world is crucial.

He said he hoped attendees ­realized that upholding Israel isn’t only a Jewish issue, but an American one.

“We have the responsibility to educate our community, leaders, neighbors about the contributions Israel has made,” he said. “Israel gives us so much to be proud of…Am Yisrael chai. The people of Israel, the land of Israel, the state of Israel continue to live forever as a beacon for Jewish people, as a free society. I saw that today as a patriotic American, as a committed Jew and a person devoted to freedom for all people.”

Shlomo, who took the position of consul general last week, discussed that although Middle East peace talks will begin on Sept. 2, there are still threats against Israel and it’s significant to have support from the United States.

He added that anyone who champions Israel is precious, no matter who, and that message needs to be communicated.

“It goes beyond Dallas; this is an unshakable alliance between Israel and the United States,” he said. “The ties you have with Israel are so important. We need you to know the real Israel to tell your neighbors, colleagues, elected officials and everyone else what Israel really stands for. Israel is more than what we see on the news every day. It’s a cultural place, a place of innovation. Israel is small, but is on the cutting edge of technology, science and culture.”

Pastor Pearsons exemplified the strong relationship between Jews and Christians. She said Christians espouse Israel because they believe the Bible is the word of God, Israel has made contributions to the Christian faith and, most importantly, because of their love for God.

“Reasonable people should support Israel because it is a bastion of freedom,” she said. “They should see the enormous cultural, economic, artistic, scientific and moral contributions Jewish people have made to better humanity. We are in front of you to defend, we are beside you when you call and we are behind you to remind you that you are not like any other race of people.”

Posted on August 19, 2010 - by admin

Carole and Joram Wolanow establish medical equipment gemach lending program for Dallas Jewish community

By Rachel Gross

Imagine having to buy an expensive piece of medical equipment for short- or long-term use. For many people, this is reality, not something imaginary. Now, community members have the chance to borrow donated medical items through a new gemach set up by Carole and Joram Wolanow.

A gemach (the Hebrew acronym for gemilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness) is a recycling program common within the Orthodox community. They are popular on the East Coast as well as in Israel, where gemachs can be found for baby carriages, clothing, anything people may need.

The Sarah Shannahoff Memorial Gemach is named in memory of Carole’s mother, who died earlier this year. The Wolanows have all of her medical equipment left over at their home and want the community to have access to it.

The following items are available: an electric scooter, a collapsible wheelchair, a transport companion wheelchair, walkers and two shower seats. Carole said she wants the items to continually flow and be useful for those who need them.

“I hope people will donate more items and keep the cycle flowing,” she said. “This is important because not everybody who needs these items is eligible for Medicare. Some people can get it paid for, but others need to buy it and it’s expensive.”

She added that this is not only for senior citizens, but for those who have surgery or need the equipment for a couple of months.

Wolanow got the idea for this from Rachel Leah Rosenberg, who has a gemach for modest simcha dresses. After meeting Wolanow and hearing her story, she believed this would be an asset to the community.

“Carole already had the equipment and I told her to make something to honor her mother’s memory and offer a service,” Rosenberg said. “This is a nice way of borrowing something and helps people who need assistance. It’s a great idea; I’m glad she’s doing it.”

A $1 consideration is needed to get the items and that releases the Wolanows of any liabilities. The dollar constitutes a lease; borrowers can get as many pieces as they want for however long they need them. This is required under Texas state law.

Wolanow said she hopes people create other gemachs in the area to help those in need.

“This is a mitzvah,” Wolanow said. “These items become an expense and can add up. When there are extras in the community, we should let people use them.”

They have already received two walkers from Temple Emanu-El and added an electric scooter to their other items from community member Deborah Baum, who is excited that others can use it.

“We didn’t need the scooter anymore and it was pointless for it to sit around,” she said. “I know how expensive they are, and some people don’t have the insurance to pay for it. We are thrilled that someone else may be able to use it.”

For more information, call Wolanow at 214-890-7583 or e-mail her at carole.wolanow@sbcglobal.net.

Posted on July 8, 2010 - by admin

Gan Shalom is a garden for kids

By Deb Silverthorn

Digging through the dirt, feeling the slime of earthworms as they crawl up the arm of a 4-year-old and tasting the fresh first cut from a pepper plant, the children of Temple Emanu-El Preschool, through their Gan Shalom Chai science and garden centers, take it all in.

Committed to connecting children to G-d through nature, the preschool has 230 little gardeners who make their way through the Gan at least once a week. From the earliest toddlers to the pre-kindergarten students, age-appropriate activities and curriculum provide lessons in ecology, gardening, nutrition, animal science and more.

“There is so much value in being a part of our outside world and, even for our youngest students, the environment provides connection to nature and G-d’s world,” said Heidi Kutchin, the preschool’s science and garden educator since 2006. “You never know from day to day, even with a planned curriculum, what might happen and there is nothing more wondrous than children learning they are a partner with everything around them.

“Learning to put others’ needs — whether the ‘other’ is a plant, animal or friend — ahead of themselves is a life lesson,” said Kutchin of the program, which is funded through the proceeds of a hot lunch project, donations and Temple Emanu-El’s preschool budget. “Our program, with all of its richness, teaches the compassion that our tradition teaches.”

“All Jewish children learn to sing blessings before eating that praise the Creator, but do they have the chance to appreciate and praise the Creator’s Creation?” said Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Adam Allenberg, director of congregational learning. “In order to develop a mind and a heart that stand in awe of God’s Creation, children — and adults — must have the chance to explore and interact with it.

“We are helping to raise our children with an awareness of the cycles of the earth and a calling to be shomrei adamah,” Rabbi Allenberg said. “We are guardians of the earth and all of its bounty.”

Animals, including rabbits, a chinchilla, a bearded dragon, turtles and a Chinese water dragon, provide opportunities for caring and compassion. Each week, the student responsible for bringing in the class snacks must also research and provide snacks appropriate for that class’ animal.

The Gan provides hands-on experiences in tikkun olam, repairing the world, while exploring and practicing the principles of bal tashchit, which prohibits being wasteful or unnecessarily destructive. Composting is something each class participates in, with the children collecting organic waste from snack and lunchtime to bring to the Gan’s compost bin.

“Heidi is incredible in how she interacts with the kids, always tying together learning about nature with our learning as Jews,” said teacher Alisa Sureck, noting that feeding “Bubbles,” the bunny, is a highlight of her children’s week. “Every week is something new, from upkeep to picking ingredients for a salad, pulling a piece from the broccoli plant and eating it on-site.”

“The impact of the Gan on the children with regard to how they care for the earth, its creatures, and themselves, is lasting,” said Kim Pariza, the mother of 5-year-old Chase, as well as former Temple Emanu-El preschoolers, Hannah and Sterling. “While [I was] visiting the garden at my daughter’s school, she told me that the worms were good because they aerate the soil. This she remembered two years after leaving Temple.

“We found a toad and Chase brought him to school. We now have a garden at home and the kids eat what they plant,” Pariza said.

“I like to pick the weeds from the Gan so that it will be healthy,” Chase Pariza said. “It’s cool because you can do a lot of stuff there. My favorite animal is ‘Spicy’ the bearded dragon and I love to feed him crickets.”

“The Gan was the reason we chose to send our son to Temple. It sealed the deal,” said Jane Larkin, the mother of Sammy. “He was almost 2 years old and the idea that he could be a part of this beautiful oasis, learning to love nature and to care for the earth, while understanding the concepts of tikkun olam — that’s what we wanted for him.”

“I love a lot of nature and there are a lot of things we could learn and do in our houses too. We planted carrots at home because they’re my favorite.” Sammy Larkin said. “At school, I also liked seeing the real ladybug larva; I think it was yellowish and blackish.”

For the Larkin family, the Gan is an extension of their own home gardening where they compost, plant and harvest. “You can’t have a good harvest, like during Sukkot, without composting,” said Larkin, whose husband Cameron was a guest in Sammy’s class, bringing in the family’s tools.

“The kids try eating things that most kids would never eat,” Larkin said, noting that the children made pesto from the garden’s kale plants. “Last summer, Sammy asked me to buy purple peppers, ‘just like the ones we planted,’ he told me.”

“The children are involved in an array of sensory experiences through the Gan and the program finds its way into much of the curriculum,” said Shelley Sender, director of early childhood education at Temple Emanu-El. “They are digging, planting and then cooking with what they grow, and they are painting from the pigment of the flowers. They learn about same and opposite, feeling the furry and scaly or spiked friends.

“The interaction, the responsibility and the depth of language skills that we see growing are so exciting,” Sender said. “We have explosions of vocabulary as the year goes on and it’s really very powerful.”

Throughout the Jewish calendar, the Gan and the preschool staff use nature to re-energize their holiday curriculum. Dipping their apple slices in honey at Rosh Hashanah, the kids make a direct connection to the bees they saw pollinating the Gan’s flowers. A visit by local beekeepers, with their product in tow, was just one of many hands-on memories for the children.

As the Gan’s pomegranates ripened, the children learned how the 613 seeds represent the 613 commandments and at Yom Kippur, the students observed tashlich at their waterfall. On Sukkot, the children celebrated in their garden sukkah, decorated with fresh herbs and branches. During Simchat Torah, they learned that rimon, which means pomegranate, is also the name for the crown on the Torah.

In the next year, the Gan will add an earth oven, one that cooks by the heat of the sun, and children will prepare pita pizzas and challah from the wheat that they grow.

“This generation is experiencing a nature deficit disorder and they need the opportunity to connect with the outdoors,” Sender said. “Life is just too sterile and kids need to be digging in the dirt!”

Posted on July 1, 2010 - by admin

JFGD 99th annual meeting cites ‘impact,’ draws 175 people

By Rachel Gross

The theme for the 99th annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas (JFGD) was aptly named “Impact begins with ‘I.’” The gathering highlighted the Federation’s “impact” over the past year through the efforts of dedicated individuals.

The event, co-chaired by Barbi and Scott Cohen, took place at the Aaron Family JCC last week. Cantor Jacob Cohen of Congregation Nishmat Am led the National Anthem, and Rabbi Aryeh Feigenbaum of Congregation Ohr Ha Torah gave the d’var Torah.

The program honored those who demonstrated excellence in their support for the 2010 Annual Campaign and included the election of new officers and board members.

“The theme tonight is Impact Begins with ‘I’,” Barbi said. “Not only does it set the tone for our meeting, it also conveys how we as individuals and as Jews are responsible not only for each other, but also for making a difference in our world and our community.”

Past Federation Chairman Carol Aaron spoke about plans for the upcoming year, such as the 100th anniversary celebration in February; the making of a documentary; a traveling historical exhibit that explains how the Federation came to be; educational guides for religious and day schools that help students understand how the Federation meets needs of the Jewish community in Dallas and overseas; and community-wide events that will take place throughout the year.

She said it is significant for the next generation to become future leaders and get involved with the Federation.

“Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Jewish Federation in Dallas,” she said. “The theme ‘IMAGINE 1911 ~ 2011 ~ 2111’ was chosen as it ties back to the founders of the ­Jewish ­Federation in Dallas who had the vision to imagine what could be in this western frontier when only a handful of Jews lived here. They were able to imagine a vibrant Jewish community that could grow together through prayer, education and community service. It is the same imagination that will move us forward to the next 100 years.”

Chairman David Veeder, beginning his second term, said although challenges arose and budgets, staff and allocations were reduced, the Federation became more efficient.

It raised more than $10,000,000 during the annual campaign, a 5 percent increase from last year.

Other accomplishments included outreach; the creation of a task force to review shifting from an institutional-based model to a program-based one; expanding overseas programs; the thriving Special Needs Initiative; and the formation of the Public Education Initiative of the Jewish Community Relations Council, which examines how the subject of Jews in Israel is treated in public textbooks.

Veeder said he enjoys being part of the impact the Federation makes on the community.

“I have had the opportunity to work side by side with extraordinary individuals, who contributed endless energy, time, resources, passion and enthusiasm in support of our Annual Campaign,” he said. “Not a day has gone by in the last 12 months that I have not been committed to guiding and initiating changes for the betterment of the Federation and my fellow Jews in Dallas and overseas.”

He added that among the goals for the upcoming year are to put a new marketing protocol in place with agencies receiving allocations, and to provide guidelines to enable partner agencies to acknowledge their relationship with the Federation.

Veeder believes that dedicated individuals will fulfill these aspirations and lead the way to the future.

“There is much we can accomplish not only individually, but when we work together as a group; the possibilities are endless,” he said. “It is important to keep our community vibrant and our Federation relevant to serve future needs here, in Israel and abroad. I am excited to be a part of a celebratory milestone year, honoring a century of service the Federation has provided…. It is the responsibility of each Jew to care for one another and we must keep Federation’s mission alive in the years to come.”

Awards were presented to individuals who made their mark in the community. The recipients were: Stacey Baer, the Bess Nathan Leadership Award; Doug Baer, the I. Zesmer Leadership Award; Sandy Cohen, the Helen Gross Leadership Award; Bill Finkelstein, the Campaigner of the Year Award; and Stuart Blaugrund and Louis Zweig, Special Recognition Awards.

Leaders from the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center made a special presentation as well, donating $100,000 to the Federation’s Annual Campaign. Alan Shor, JCC chairman, said the Federation assisted when the JCC was in need and he felt it was imperative to give back.

“The JCC and Federation have a long and proud history of supporting each other,” he said. “We share not only a campus, but much more. The JCC is healthy and we have built a solid foundation. We are growing, and it’s time for us to give something back to the community. That will always be our goal — to be community-minded and support the Federation and other Jewish agencies.”

Posted on June 25, 2010 - by admin

2010 grads march toward the future

Akiba grads head for D.C.

On Sunday, May 23, Akiba Academy graduated 23 students who marched right across the stage at Congregation Tiferet Israel and onto a plane headed to Washington, D.C. to explore what being a Jewish American really means.

At the graduation ceremony David Veeder, Akiba alumnus and president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, addressed the graduating class and wished them bon voyage on their journey. Each student also presented reflections on his or her time at Akiba. Graduate Shanee Abouzaglo reminisced, “When I look back at my 10 years at Akiba, it seems like only yesterday we had our first-grade hot chocolate day, our second-grade spelling bees or our fourth-grade State Fair. But as my years at Akiba come to a finish, countless incredible memories rush through my mind, and I notice how fast time has flown by. Only now do I realize how fortunate I was to have grown up as part of the united Akiba family.”

A recurring theme in many of the speeches was unity, a core value of Akiba and one that this class in particular has exhibited. Rabbi Zev Silver, Leadership Team member of Akiba, expounded on this topic in his message to the graduates encouraging them to teach others the importance of unity to enhance the Jewish world and the world at large. Chanale Block, Marcus Rosenberg Cup Award winner, also spoke regarding her leadership roles within the school, saying, “The committees are based on some of the main pillars of Akiba: leadership, respect and unity.”

The united class of Akiba 2010 embarked on their “field trip” to Washington, D.C., beginning with a tour of Mount Vernon, followed by a meeting with Texas Senator John Cornyn and a visit to the Senate and Library of Congress. A major highlight was a private meeting with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She shared with the students how her Jewish upbringing gave her a set of ethical and moral values. Shopping at the endless amount of souvenir kiosks, especially the ones at Union Station; taking the Metro and stopping at the Godiva store; meeting eighth-grade graduates from other Jewish day schools; and other similar experiences made the trip even more enjoyable. The students brought their Akiba-instilled values with them to Washington as they distributed leftover foods to homeless people and made a special visit to the Holocaust Museum. As General Studies Valedictorian Jason Epstein quoted in his commencement address: “Success is a journey, and not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

The roster of Akiba’s graduating class of 2010 was: Shanee Abouzaglo, Shane Appell, Alexandra Aronowitz, Joshua Behar, Chana Block, Jason Epstein, Cayli Fowler, Nathasha Guaqueta, Itai Guttman, Talia Klein, Hanna Liebermann, Zachariah Petsrillo, Alexis Riche, Jacob Robinson, Kayla Anne Rodenberg, Dalia Romaner, Jacob Rosenberg, David Rudomin, Erin Smith, Adam Steinbrecher, Jonah Taurog, Michael Teplitskiy and Hava Toobian.

ATID grads look to future

By Ruth Schor

Proud parents and family members of 17 ATID graduates attended an impressive graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 6. The graduates are Erica Arbetter, Alec Becker, Adam Berry, Sherri Deckelboim, Max Genecov, Zachary Goodman, Dena Kline, Max Leader, Zebulon Loewenstein, Joe Orr, Jennifer Sheppard, Rachel Wayne, Nathan Weller, Natalie Weltman and Mandy Widom.

Three years ago the rabbis and educational directors of Congregations Shearith Israel, Anshai Torah and Beth Torah gathered to explore an innovative Jewish education program for Jewish teens. The help and support of a vibrant board, and frequent productive meetings, gave birth to the ATID high school for 11th- and 12th-grade students. “Atid” is the Hebrew word for future; the speeches the young people delivered at their graduation sent a message of new hope and dreams for future Jewish leadership.

Gail Herson, ATID’s education director, who helped the program to reach new heights, said in her opening remarks, “It has been my privilege and honor to serve as education director of the Academy of Torah in Greater Dallas this past year. My time with the teens on Sunday morning is time that I cherish and look forward to. These young people are making the effort to show up and be open to an experience that has the potential to impact them spiritually, intellectually and socially. By participating in ATID classes, they are saying that connecting with their Jewish heritage is important. In response, it is my responsibility as an educator to do all that I can to foster that connection and allow it to strengthen and grow bold. It is a responsibility I take very seriously indeed.”

When Gail was preparing her remarks, G-d’s words to Abraham in Parashat Lech Lecha came to her mind. She added, “[In] the next phase of your lives, lech, go … move beyond your comfort zones, push boundaries, explore ­uncharted territories and maximize your potential. But be mindful of staying true to your values, your heritage and your identity as a Jew.”

The best Jewish curriculum cannot accomplish the most thoughtful educational goals unless qualified, knowledgeable instructors are in the classroom. The rabbis from the three participating Conservative synagogues — Rabbi William Gershon and Rabbi Joseph Menashe from Shearith Israel; Rabbi Adam Raskin from Congregation Beth Torah; and Rabbi Stefan Weinberg from Anshai Torah — are responsible for bringing students closer to Judaism and creating a quest for continuous learning and deeper connection to, and appreciation of, our traditions.

Rabbi Weinberg said to the graduates, “As you depart for college, you become the voice of our people. Stand up tall and be heard. When you take a leadership position, others will always be ready to follow. You represent the best of our young generation. We need each and every one of you to assume leadership roles on your campuses. The Jewish people need you, and Israel needs you.”

In his inspiring talk to the graduates, Rabbi Gershon quoted from Danny Siegel’s “A Blessing,” “May your eyes sparkle with the light of Torah and your ears hear the music of its words. May your study be passionate and meanings bear more meanings until life itself arrays itself to you as a dazzling wedding feast.”

The highlight of the inspiring ceremony was the delivery of speeches by the graduating students, who shared their words with their families and friends with passion and honesty. Sherri Deckelboim, whose attendance at ATID entailed a five-hour round-trip journey, said that she liked being asked for her opinion about discussion topics and studying texts with the rabbis. She said, “As I graduate, I look forward to continuing my Jewish journey at college by participating in the various opportunities that will be available to me.”

Jennifer Sheppard said that she had never seen a good reason to wake up on Sunday mornings. When she began attending ATID, she changed and was excited to arise to a fun and challenging Sunday morning.

The graduation ceremony ended with a delicious lunch catered by Milk and Honey, with friendly and warm chatter around the lunch tables.

Ruth Schor is the educational director of Beth Torah Learning Center. Levine’s grads
each have a say

For the students in the class of 2010, June 2 — graduation day — was their last day at Levine Academy. Many began at age 2; some came in lower school and some, at the beginning of middle school. But regardless of whether they were “old-timers” or relatively new to the school, a common theme permeated their graduation speeches: a love of Levine Academy and its indelible impact on their lives.

Graduation at Levine Academy is unique. Where most schools honor the valedictorian and salutatorian by allowing them to give graduation speeches, Levine Academy honors every student with this privilege. “It is truly one of the most anticipated events of the year,” K-8 Principal Dr. Susie Wolbe said. “Each child spends weeks writing a speech that will reflect the depth of love, knowledge and Jewish identity they have received from being a student at our school. Some are funny, some are poignant and some are filled with similes and metaphors. But all make us realize that what we are doing within the walls at Levine Academy is special and unique. By the time those students graduate, they have become smart, articulate, self-confident and ethically strong young adults who are ready to make their mark on the world.”

Graduation at Levine Academy is not celebrated only by the graduates’ families and friends, it is a community event. Rabbis from both the Conservative and Reform synagogues participate in the ceremony along with a representative from the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. Those who took part this year were Rabbis Adam Raskin of Congregation Beth Torah, David Glickman of Congregation Shearith Israel, Debra Robins of Temple Emanu-El and Stefan Weinberg of Congregation Anshai Torah, as well as Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas President and CEO Gary Weinstein.

Congratulations to the students in the class of 2010 who will be attending the following schools next year:

• Sarah Barnett — John Paul II High School
• Danielle Berg — Episcopal School of Dallas
• Ben Calmenson — Shepton High School
• Michala Collis — Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
• Jordan Cope — Yavneh Academy of Dallas
• Michelle Friedstadt — Yavneh Academy of Dallas
• Nathan Jajan — Colleyville Heritage High School
• Sam Kleinman — Yavneh Academy of Dallas
• Sasha Kislak — Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
• Riley Lelah — Hillcrest High School
• Gary Levine — Yavneh Academy of Dallas
• Natasha Merlene — Jasper High School
• Matthew Milner — Greenhill School
• Sylvan Perlmutter — J.J. Pearce High School
• Jonathan Rosen — Shepton High School
• Osher Saboni — Yavneh Academy
• Isaiah Snyder — J.J. Pearce High School
• Dania Tanur — Yavneh Academy
• Brent Weinberg — Yavneh Academy
• Shai Weinstein — Shepton High School
• Maya Zach — Shepton High School
• Rosie Zander — Hillcrest High School
• Jennifer Zetley — J.J. Pearce High School

Melton graduates 30 students on June 1

On June 1, 30 adults celebrated their graduation from the Florence Melton Adult Mini School of Dallas. The graduates received recognition for their two-year course of study and a certificate of Jewish learning from Hebrew University.

Family, friends and faculty were on hand to wish the graduates well. Speakers included Rachelle Weiss Crane, Melton director in Dallas; Artie Allen, president of the Aaron Family JCC; Laura Seymour, director of Jewish Life and Learning, a Melton faculty member and TJP columnist; and Zona Pidgeon, chair of the Melton advisory board.

Keynote speaker Rabbi Glickman spoke about the importance of Jewish education to Jewish continuity in a time when assimilation is rampant. He used his time to teach as well as congratulate the graduates, and explained how education and continuity have been fostered through the ages, referencing three holidays, Shavuot, Purim and Yom HaShoah, These holidays seem distinctly different but have had similar impacts on Jewish thought and practice.

All students were recognized with certificates, and Alma Kron was awarded a certificate for the Honu Frankel Zest for Learning Award, named in memory of Honu Frankel, who was a lifelong learner. Wednesday mornings, studying with her friends at the Florence Melton Adult Mini School at the J in Dallas was very important to Honu. She had a zest for knowledge and set an example for all as she continued her Jewish journey each week. The Honu Frankel Chapter of the Florence Melton Adult Mini School Alumni Association of Dallas is dedicated in her memory and an award is given annually to the graduate who most embodies Honu’s zest for learning. Alma Kron was selected based on her enthusiasm and willingness to challenge her fellow learners in defense of a contrary point of view.

Each of the speakers encouraged the graduates to continue their educational journey toward Jewish literacy with the Gesher graduate program at the J, Melton Scholars Curriculum and adult education classes in their local synagogues.

Several years ago local artist Veronique Jonas created a beautiful water color titled “Eytz Hayim Hi” in honor of her own graduation from Melton. The name of each graduate has been added every year since. This year the following names were added to the painting which hangs in the main hallway of the Aaron Family JCC:

TDSD graduates its seventh class of eighth-graders

An enthusiastic crowd attended Torah Day School of Dallas’ (TDSD) commencement ceremonies for its seventh graduating class on Sunday, June 6. Held at Congregation Ohr HaTorah, the event featured separate programs for the 2010 girls’ and boys’ classes in which each graduate gave a speech and received an award for a particular middah (character trait).

Graduating eighth-grade girls included Ariella Benporat, Brocha Leah Epstein, Atara Fink, Devorah Krycer, Naomi Singer and Estee Udman. The valedictorian of the girls’ class was Naomi Singer, and the salutatorian was Ariella Benporat.

Graduating in the eighth-grade boys’ class were Mordechai Glazer, Eliyahu Klein, Eli Oziel, Tzvi Eliezer Rich and Avichayil Yachnes. Valedictorian for the boys’ class was Tzvi Eliezer Rich, and salutatorian was Mordechai Glazer.

The graduates spoke movingly about their experiences at TDSD, emphasizing the welcoming atmosphere and the care and support they felt from teachers. About half the students have been at TDSD since the school opened seven years ago, while two arrived as recently as this year. Nevertheless, both the boys’ and girls’ groups have impressed their teachers with their sense of unity.

The students plan to attend a variety of competitive high schools and yeshivas.

The majority of the graduating girls plan to attend Mesorah High School for Girls in Dallas. Naomi Singer will attend the DISD School for the Talented and Gifted, which was chosen this month by Newsweek magazine as the No. 1 U.S. high school for the second year in a row.

Mordechai Glazer will attend Ner Israel in Baltimore; Tzvi Eliezer Rich, Yeshiva Beth Moshe in Scranton, Pa.; Eliyahu Klein, Mercaz HaTorah in Belle Harbor, N.Y.; and Avichayil Yachnes and Eli Oziel, Texas Torah Institute here in Dallas.

Yavneh’s class of 2010 is on its way

By Deb Silverthorn

Yavneh Academy of Dallas is pleased to announce the award of Valedictorian to Micah Steinbrecher and the honor of Salutatorian to Sarah Rohan. Joseph Lerer is the school’s Summa Cum Laude recipient, and Daley Epstein graduated Magna Cum Laude. Sophie Geller and Libby Panipinto received Judaic Studies Awards, sponsored by the Sylvia and William Epstein Golden Wedding Anniversary Fund, and Ethan Prescott received the Gabbai Award for excellence and dedication to religious ritual. All honors were shared during commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 30 at Congregation Tiferet Israel.

“For the past 18 years, we have been backseat drivers in our own lives,” Steinbrecher said. “Our control is limited by the real drivers: our parents, our community and our Jewish faith. We have little authority in major decisions, and when we make the wrong decision, the ­consequences are mitigated. Today this no longer ­applies. These ‘drivers’ no longer have an absolute grip on our destiny. Their roles have changed, and this ceremony marks the day these values jump into the back seat and we make our own decisions. Today, these values no longer lead us, they merely guide us.

“Today is a day of thanksgiving for our faculty, who have tagged their aspirations on our endeavors. It is a day of thanksgiving for Mr. [Donald] O’Quinn, [head of school,] who came out of retirement when Yavneh’s future was tottering on the brink. And most importantly, it is a day of thanksgiving for our parents,” Steinbrecher said. “Every child in this room, graduate or not: Do not walk out of this auditorium today without looking your parents in the eye and thanking them from the bottom of your heart for sending you to Yavneh.”

Seniors Ilan Attar, Elizabeth Chatham, Mark Cheirif, Devora Cohen, Sahar David and Rebecca Schisler led the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “Hatikvah,” and Joshua Karnett, Libby Panipinto and Ethan Prescott welcomed all to the commencement. Michael Bierman, Sophie Geller, Paige Koeppel, Rebecca Lipinsky, Julie Meltzer and Mollie Mirsky thanked Yavneh devotees Daniel Prescott and Richard Rohan, and the law firm of Carrington Coleman, for their roles in supporting the school. Mitchell Blumka offered the afternoon’s d’var Torah.

Arielle Burstein, Jaclyn Peiser and Miles Pulitzer, presented the profile of Yavneh Academy’s 15th graduating class; Daniel Moskowitz read “The Yavneh Student,” his poem outlining a typical day and the commitment as such. Seniors Noy Bolurian, Nicole Danilewitz, Noah Donnenfield, Joseph Elbaz, Daley Epstein, David Goldenberg, Aliza Greenberg, Dylan Kaye, Hannah Kessler, Matthew Kirby, Joseph Lerer, Evan Mitzner, Bess Reisberg, Sarah Rohan, Sergiy Rozhdestvenskyy, Adam Sallmander and Micah Steinbrecher completed Yavneh’s graduating class roster.

The members of Yavneh’s class of 2010 have received more than $2,000,000 in Merit Scholarships and served 11,668 volunteer hours. They recorded an average score of 1764 on the SAT exams and an average score of 28 on the ACT; Mark Cheirif was named a National Hispanic Scholar, Daley Epstein a National Merit Finalist, and Micah Steinbrecher a National Merit Commendee.

Students Against Terrorism raised more than $41,000 for One Family Fund’s Sderot AfterShock Project with the eighth annual Points for Peace basketball tournament, Uniting Students of Dallas raised over $15,000 for the Texas Access to Justice Foundation during an evening that featured Texas Supreme Court Justice Wallace Jefferson, and hosted its fourth annual Mix-It-Up Diversity Awareness Day.

Yavneh seniors received more than a dozen local, state and national journalism awards. They were instrumental in the growth of the Music Ensemble and Theatre departments, featured in “The Miracle Worker,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Herschel and the Chanukah Goblins,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Dybbuk.” David Goldenberg brought Pink Day, a national program of Sharsheret, to Yavneh; Rebecca Schisler received the Joe M. and Doris Russell Dealey Award of Achievement in first place; and Evan Mitzner, Libby Panipinto and Bess Reisberg were named finalists in the 14th annual Dallas Public Library “Express Yourself” Youth Poetry Competition.

David Veeder offered greetings from the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. Leon Zeligson, a beloved staple at Yavneh’s commencement ceremonies, accompanied the students during the processional and recessional. Naomi Schrager presented the Judaics awards. Yavneh Academy’s Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum and Congregation Beth Torah’s Rabbi Adam Raskin shared blessings for the future.

“There’s no doubt that this class represents the best and the brightest graduates in this city, but that is not ultimately what convinced me of the greatness of this school,” Rabbi Raskin said. “Where I saw the soul of this school and the depth of this class was when you were all faced with what might have been the most difficult test you have taken all of your Yavneh education. It was a test of your humanity. It was a test of your ability to show compassion, love and sensitivity when, shortly after the beginning of this year, one of your classmates experienced the most devastating loss imaginable. This classmate of yours is here today with his dad and his sister, but his precious mother is observing this occasion, with great pride I believe, from the heavens, rather than in a seat by his side.

“You demonstrated that this Torah is a powerful, living, relevant, life-altering document and you mustered everything that you learned and offered it to one of your own in the form of comfort and presence and hope. You demonstrated them in ways that brought tears to my eyes and, more importantly, that gave me such hope and confidence that this school has prepared you not just intellectually, not just with the facts and figures, the names and dates … but this school has shaped your souls. It has molded your character as people who will undoubtedly succeed on the college campus — nearly any high school can do that. But this school has made you into Jews who understand the significance of your tradition, the meaning of living a life of Torah and mitzvot, the power that each one of you possesses to touch another person’s soul, to be a transformative presence along the journey of life.”

Assistant Principals Chad Baruch and Dr. Tim Cloward shared in the ceremony as Board President Carol Kreditor and Past President Mike Zucker presented the students with their diplomas. Head of School Donald O’Quinn bid each student a personal farewell and offered the group his respect.

“Each of you will be a blessing unto this world,” O’Quinn said. “You leave here a family and you made the Yavneh family a stronger one.”

Ten girls graduate from Mesorah

On Sunday, June 13, Mesorah High School for Girls held its seventh commencement exercises at Congregation Ohr HaTorah in Dallas. Members of the graduating class were Batsheva Benporat, Chana Greene, Elisheva Jacobs, Chavi Oppenheim, Brocha Klein, Shiphra Rosenbaum, Ilana Rosenberg, Aliza Schick, Melanie Solomon and Ariel Vanfossen.

Of the 10 graduates, eight will continue their education at various seminaries in Israel and the United States next year, while the other two plan to attend the Blitstein Institute in Chicago, where they will take combined Judaic studies and college courses. Valedictorian Ilana Rosenberg plans to pursue an engineering degree at Goucher College in Baltimore, Md., and Salutatorian Aliza Schick plans to attend Stern College where she will study pre-med, after their year in seminary. “Each Mesorah graduate has accomplished tremendous goals, both educationally and spiritually, during her time in Mesorah,” said Rabbi Avraham Zev Kosowsky, headmaster. “Our girls work very hard to solidify their foundations as they learn to appreciate the importance of living within a Torah framework, accomplishing what a Jewish woman should, and building a fulfilling life.”

Other speakers at the commencement were Board President Dr. Joe Rothstein, who gave the opening remarks; Rabbi Yoni Schick, founding headmaster, who offered divrei brachah (words of blessing); and Gay Daneman, director of women’s philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, who conveyed a message from the JFGD. Refreshments followed the ceremony.

Posted on June 17, 2010 - by admin

Pro-Israel solidarity rally draws more than 1,000

By Deb Silverthorn

From the youngest members of the community in strollers to a great number of seniors, more than 1,000 people sat, stood and cheered with signs, Israeli flags and an unbridled spirit on Sunday afternoon, June 13. The sanctuary of Congregation Anshai Torah was host to a Community Gathering in Solidarity for the State of Israel, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and the Rabbinic Association of Greater Dallas, in cooperation with JCRC member organizations.

“Throughout the year, the JCRC works hard to bring together those from different faiths and backgrounds, creating programming and projects of common concern,” said Marlene Gorin, executive director of the JCRC, who, with the help of many, including JCRC Israel Commission Chair Susie Avnery and Federation Program Associates Meghan Traxler, Marc Jacobson and Jeana Plas, coordinated the program. “It is only through truly getting to know each other that we can call on our interfaith community to stand with us in times like this. We must let those in Israel know — our friends and family, and we are all family — that we support them from afar and that we are here for them.”

Program participants included Stephanie Hirsh, JCRC chair; Alice Murray, president and CEO, Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance; Jeff Rasansky, chairman-elect, JFGD; Ana Cristina Reymundo, editor, Nexos Spanish in-flight magazine/American Airlines and member of the AJC Latino Alliance on Immigration; Dr. Zev Shulkin, former member of the JCRC’s Israel Commission; Rabbi Stefan Weinberg. Congregation Anshai Torah; Rabbi Howard Wolk, community chaplain, Jewish Family Service, who led the Prayer for Israel; and Cantor Itzhak Zhrebker, Congregation Shearith Israel, who led the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “Hatikvah,” “Shir LaShalom,” “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” and a spirited audience singing “Am Yisrael Chai” at the end of the program.

“As its name suggests, the JCRC is the community relations arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, and it takes seriously its responsibility to coordinate, facilitate and build consensus for action on issues of communal concern as they relate to social action, public policy, Israel and other appropriate topics of local, national and international policy,” said Stephanie Hirsch, who sent regrets on behalf of Israel Consul General Asher Yamir, who was unable to attend. “While there may be times that we disagree on isolated issues with our brothers and sisters, we do not waver on our support for the security and survival of the state of Israel. Each time we are called to offer our support for Israel, we do so with pride and honor.”

“We are extremely fortunate that our work allows us to convene our community in times of crisis, celebration and commemoration and allows us to build, maintain and join coalitions to promote effective action and opportunities for community involvement,” Jeff Rasansky said. “Do not lose sight of why we are here; it is not to debate politics, not to discuss right and wrong, not to solve the Middle East crisis — but to stand united and strong for our homeland.

“As Jews, regardless of our beliefs or how we choose to connect to Israel, it takes an extremely narrow view back into our history, or even in just the last few weeks, to know and recognize that we are always at risk, whether it’s risk of hatred or risk of annihilation,” Rasansky said. “The presence of Israel provides a source of pride, comfort and security to every single Jew in the world. We know that if Israel does not exist, if others are successful in tearing or beating us down, continuing to spread false lies and untrue rumors, sooner or later, our lives will be different, less comfortable, less safe, and less secure.”

“Three hundred or so were gathered to voice their support for the Hamas-led Gaza government; the signs they held were striking and chilling,” said Dr. Zev Shulkin, who spoke of witnessing pro-Palestinian activists protesting at Dealey Plaza last week. “Zionism equals terrorism, Zionism equals racism. Another had the word Zionism on one side and a swastika on the other,” he said. “These were all on display in downtown Dallas as cars drove by honking, businesspeople and civic leaders walked by on their way home from work.

“One can dismiss their viewpoints as extreme or choose to ignore them, a fatal mistake. The answer is we stand across the street and celebrate Israel,” Dr. Shulkin added. “We celebrate the ability of our oppressed people to defend themselves, something we have been unable to do until very recently. We celebrate the greening of lands that have been deserted for millennia. We celebrate Nobel Prize winners, medical, agricultural and technological innovations. We celebrate a thriving economy that seeks better ways to utilize solar energy to achieve petroleum independence. We celebrate women’s rights and democracy, and while the protesters stand across the street and hurl insults and spew hate, we stand proud of what our little country, our little strip of land, has created.”

“I was born in Mexico; I am an immigrant and the daughter of parents who worked as a dishwasher and a housekeeper. My mother used to call herself a ‘toilet scrubber,’ but if you knew her you would call her wise, imaginative and kind. My father, whose fingers I saw bleed from the hot water and the winter cold, was strong, honest and he held our family together; he was our patriarch,” Ana Cristina Reymundo said. “The sun shines on all, on good and on evil, on the poor and the rich. The sun doesn’t hide its light. And neither should we.

“What do Jews and non-Jewish Latinos have in common? Family is central to our identity. We say familia, you say mishpachah,” Reymundo said. “I find the term family value an odd one because for you and me, family is the core of our identity and transcends the individual to a community and to a people.

“We too have experienced a diaspora,” continued Reymundo, who also sits on the board of trustees of the American Immigration Council and the board of advisers of the Mayborn School of Journalism at UNT. “Like you, we have a connection to a land other than the U.S. and we understand the tug of a homeland on our heart. We immigrate in search of a better life for ourselves and our children; we do not forsake our traditions or customs and, like you, we pray for the peace and prosperity of our homeland. And like you, we have enriched culturally and economically the lands that have become our new homes, and we have often faced aggression, bigotry, violence and sometimes exploitation. We are a natural ally; reach out to us.”

Questioning whether or not there is there a parallel between the recent flotilla incident and the Arizona anti-immigrant law, Reymundo suggested, “Perhaps, as both incidents have galvanized folks on both sides of the issue.

“This law is touted as a border security response but the anti-immigrant and specifically the anti-Mexican rhetoric from supporters of the measure demonstrate how easily bigotry can be disguised in a cloak of legitimacy,” she said. “There are those who would pass human rights resolutions against Israel, all the while committing the most egregious violations themselves. It behooves us to keep in mind that discrimination can be institutionalized and this great nation of ours has a history of race-based discrimination. Let us also understand that a right not defended is not a right at all, for it cannot defend us.

“We either defend our rights or we waive them. And we must teach our children that it is the duty of each successive generation to defend those rights,” Reymundo said. “We CANNOT allow any law to sanction discrimination against any group. State-sanctioned discrimination gradually desensitizes the citizens. Given enough time, it will lead to extermination. We stand with you as brothers, sisters, allies. Where one is not free, no one is free. We are here; reach out to us.”

“We are dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and to teaching the moral and ethical response to prejudice, hatred and indifference, for the benefit of all humanity,” Alice Murray said. “We teach of being Upstanders and that means standing up — as we are today for Israel. Each year we welcome more than 50,000 guests, more than 90 percent of whom are not Jewish; students from public and private schools, tourists and others who come to learn. They all care.”

“Hatred isn’t a Jewish subject,” Murray, an Irish Catholic who has devoted herself to the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance’s mission, said through tears. “When any one person is threatened, the whole of humanity is threatened.”

Rabbi Weinberg, speaking on behalf of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Dallas and as host rabbi, noted that Sunday was Rosh Chodesh and that we should be out celebrating. “‘Zeh hayom asah Adonai, nagilah v’nismikha bo — this is the day that G-d made, let us rejoice and be happy on it.’ But it is not our prerogative; Israel needs us. We need each other. And, we must be resolute in our stance.

“The past few weeks have weighed heavily on our souls. Israel has been under verbal attack. The nations of the world have been lining up against her,” Rabbi Weinberg said. ”The American Jewish community has not been left off the radar. The streams of video seem to defy all logic and reason and facts don’t matter. Pictures don’t even matter. Anything to support one’s view of the world, skewed or not, is all that seems to raise everyone’s blood pressure. We are entangled in a PR war and we are losing that war. Everything Israel does, can be and is used against her. Everything we can do, can be used against us.

“We cannot win this war alone,” Rabbi Weinberg added. “We need our president and his cabinet. We need our congressmen. We need our fellow clergy. We need our friends in different ethnic demographics, and we need students to engage students. We need Jewish soccer moms to educate other moms and we need Jewish men on the golf course to tell our narrative. We need to support the JCRC and our Federation, we need to support AIPAC and AJC and every organization that is politically involved. We need to educate ourselves and tell our story with pride. We need to take back the initiative and lead with resolve. We are the inheritors of an extraordinary legacy. In spite of a history far too often punctuated with powerlessness and wandering, we have always kept our focus on the spiritual dimension of life. It has been our people’s greatest gift to the world.”

“I am so proud of our community, of Jews and non-Jews who came together in an afternoon of magnificent support,” said Gary Weinstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. “We don’t support terrorism, we won’t support terrorism and today was about getting that message out, loud and clear.”

Dallasites in strong numbers have always made pilgrimages to Israel and, in just the last months, there have been Federation-sponsored missions, congregational tours and individual family simcha visits. Students of middle school, high school and college have traveled on Birthright-sponsored tours, the March of the Living and Levine Academy’s senior class tour, and more than half of Yavneh Academy’s graduating seniors will spend a year studying, working and traveling throughout the country. “Next to getting on a plane and landing in eretz Yisrael, coming together here in our own community is tops,” Weinstein said.

“I think the local support is important because it shows a true microcosm of support where you know who the people are and it puts a face on them,” said former Dallas resident Roma Yee in an online interview from Israel, as she  finishes three years of service as a combat soldier in the Israel Defense Forces. Having made aliyah, Yee will begin studies at Hebrew University in the fall. “The idea that if I come and visit and hear ‘We are behind what you are doing and proud of you,’ gives me an incentive to continue what I am doing, whether it’s serving in the IDF or just living my day-to-day life here.”

In closing, referring to next week’s Torah portion of Balak, Rabbi Weinberg spoke the words of the prophet Micah: “‘Umah doresh mimka, ki im asot mishpat v’ahavat chesed, v’hatznea lekhet im Elohecha — What does the Lord require of you? Only to do justice, to love goodness and to walk modestly with your G-d.’ May we always express this voice of justice with clarity, passion and dignity.”

For information about how to become involved with the Jewish Community Relations Council, call 214-615-5254 or visit the Web site at jcrcdallas.org. For information on the community’s other organizations, call the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas at 214-369-3313.

Posted on June 10, 2010 - by admin

Candy and Ike Brown honored by National Jewish Health

Candy and Ike Brown received the National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award in front of 175 guests at the  Bella Sera benefit cocktail party in Dallas on May 5 at VILLA-O.  The event raised $136,000 to support the world-renowned National Jewish Health, known worldwide for treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders, and for groundbreaking medical research.

Bella Sera Co-Chairs Rozalyn and Robert Colombo, Pat and Paul Fulchino, Debbie and Eric Green, Laurie and Todd Platt and Barbara and Sheldon Stein were surprised and delighted by a $50,000 gift made that evening by Nancy and Richard Rogers in honor of Allan Zidell, who was a National Jewish Health Trustee for 20 years. He attended with Donna Fadal and his children, Michael Zidell and Lisa Zidell, and grandchildren Amanda Zidell and Shauna and Ryan Milstein.

Other special guests included National Jewish Health Board of Directors member Burt Tansky and his wife, Rita, and National Trustees Tammany and Rob Stern, Jimmy Jackson and Bill Shaddock.

“We are grateful to all our friends who came out tonight, especially to Ike’s parents, Shirlee and Bernard Brown, Ike’s brothers, my sister and our sons, all of whom travelled to be here,” said Candy Brown. “We’re also so thankful to Allan Zidell for introducing us to National Jewish Health, which is doing such important work for people in Dallas and throughout the country.”

Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health remains the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to these disorders. Since 1998, U.S. News & World Report has ranked National Jewish Health the #1 respiratory hospital in the nation. National Jewish Health provides preeminent care for patients throughout the country, including 940 Texans in the last three years. In addition to direct care for Texas patients, last year National Jewish Health physicians consulted with 214 Texas physicians about their patients, and trained 67 former National Jewish Health fellows who now practice medicine in Texas.

For more information about Bella Sera or National Jewish Health, contact Amy MacGregor Hoffmann at 800-423-8891 ext. 1080, or by e-mail at  HoffmannA@NJHealth.org.

Posted on June 3, 2010 - by admin

Israel grapples with fallout of flotilla violence

By Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — With nations around the world condemning Israel for the deaths of nine people aboard a Gaza-bound ship, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned visit to the White House.

Netanyahu was scheduled to meet Tuesday with President Obama following a weekend visit to Canada, which included a working meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The visit would have been Netanyahu’s first meeting with Obama since a late March meeting at the White House in which the administration was accused of snubbing the Israeli leader.

Obama and Netanyahu spoke by telephone and agreed to set up a meeting at a later date, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

In Washington, the White House released a statement Monday on the incident.

“The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” the statement said.

Israel’s Navy intercepted six ships early Monday morning about 70 miles off Gaza’s coast in international waters. The ships were among a fleet of nine carrying humanitarian aid and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists. The Gaza “Freedom Flotilla,” organized by the pro-Hamas Free Gaza group, had left last week from ports in Ireland, Greece and Turkey.

Israel had radioed to the ships numerous times late Sunday night and early Monday morning requesting that they head to the port of Ashdod, where they could unload their aid material to be transferred to Gaza after security inspections, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

Upon boarding the largest ship, the Marmara, run by IHH, a Turkish humanitarian relief fund with a radical Islamic anti-Western orientation, the naval forces were attacked with metal clubs and knives, as well as live fire, according to the IDF.

“The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose,” the statement said, adding that the Navy then used riot dispersal methods, which include live fire.

“The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail,” the IDF statement said.

On May 26, Netanyahu’s forum of seven Cabinet ministers had decided that Israel’s Navy would prevent the convoy from reaching Gaza   by force, if necessary. The ships were to be directed to Ashdod, with the hundreds of activists aboard deported to their countries of origin. The food, clothing and construction materials on the ships would be transferred to Gaza after inspection.

In addition to the activists who died in the rioting, tens of protesters were injured and evacuated to Israeli hospitals. Seven Israeli soldiers were reported injured; two listed in serious condition were upgraded later to moderate.

“We found weapons that were prepared in advance and used against our forces,” Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said of the ship during a news conference Monday afternoon. “The organizers’ intent was violent, their method was violent, and unfortunately, the results were violent.”

Ayalon said that if the ships’ journey was truly for humanitarian purposes, they would have accepted Israel’s offer to deliver the goods to Gaza. He pointed out that organizers said repeatedly that their goal was to break the blockade on Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed the organizers of the convoy for the violent outcome.

“The sail was a provocation. The organization behind the flotilla is not a humanitarian aid organization,” he said during a news conference Monday afternoon.

Days before the convoy’s arrival, the Navy held several drills to prepare for turning back the convoy, including preparing for violence.

Audrey Bomse, legal adviser to the Free Gaza movement, told CNN that the purpose of the flotilla was to break the Gaza siege, adding that “the siege is not legal.” She also pointed out that the United Nations-sponsored Goldstone report called the siege a “probable crime against humanity.”

Turkish authorities inspected the Marmara before it left for Gaza, Bomse said, and therefore she does not believe that it would have had weapons on board.

“It was supposed to be a nonviolent protest,” she stressed.

Bomse said that leaders of the protest did not agree to give Israel the humanitarian aid to pass on because Israel would not have allowed some of the cargo, including building materials and pre-fab houses, to be given to Gaza.

Israel has imposed a maritime blockade of Gaza because the Jewish state is in a state of armed conflict with Hamas, which controls the strip, according to the Foreign Ministry.

“Maritime blockades are a legitimate and recognized measure under international law that may be implemented as part of an armed conflict at sea,” including in international waters as long as it does not bar neutral states from reaching ports and coasts of other states, according to the ministry statement.

“The protesters indicated their clear intention to violate the blockade by means of written and oral statements. Moreover, the route of these vessels indicated their clear intention to violate the blockade in violation of international law,” the ministry said, adding that “Given the protesters explicit intention to violate the naval blockade, Israel exercised its right under international law to enforce the blockade.”

The ministry added that “explicit warnings were relayed directly to the captains of the vessels, expressing Israel’s intent to exercise its right to enforce the blockade.”

Israel police moved to high alert across the country out of concern that Arab citizens of Israel would riot. As part of the measures, the Temple Mount area in Jerusalem was closed to visitors. Israeli Arabs rioted at the Uhm-al-Fahm junction and in the city of Acre. Hundreds of Arab students also protested at Haifa University, injuring a policeman.

Peace Now activists protested in Tel Aviv and made their way to the Ashdod port to continue their protests.

Some 10,000 Turkish citizens rallied against Israel during a march that began in front of the Israeli Consulate. The crowd reportedly shouted “Damn Israel” and called for revenge. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Israeli Embassy in Paris, and protests took place in three other French cities.

Turkey also reportedly recalled its ambassador to Israel, further weakening ties between the two countries. The recall came after Israel’s ambassador to Turkey was called in to the country’s Foreign Ministry to provide more information on the incident.

Meanwhile, Israel’s National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau called on Israelis to delay travel to Turkey and urged Israelis in Turkey to “remain in their places of residence, avoid city centers and sites in which demonstrations are being held, and monitor developments out of concern that the situation could worsen.”

Along with Turkey, Israeli ambassadors in several countries, including Spain, Sweden and Greece, also were called in to their foreign ministries.

The European Union on Monday morning called for a comprehensive inquiry into the flotilla deaths and the lifting of the Gaza blockade.

“High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the news of loss of life and violence, and extends her sympathies to families of the dead and wounded,” said a spokesman for Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council met in an emergency session Monday and the next day in a statement released the next day called for a “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation” into the incident. The council condemned “those acts” that resulted in the deaths and injuries to dozens and called for the release of hundreds of activists still in Israeli custody, as well as for the delivery of the ships’ humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.

The statement also called for an end to the blockade of Gaza and said that the “only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement negotiated between the parties and re-emphasizes that only a two-State solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors, could bring peace to the region.”

Government leaders around the world condemned Israel for the loss of life in what most termed a disproportionate use of force, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Foreign Secretary William Hague and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Greece also withdrew from joint military exercises with Israel in protest.

The main U.S. Jewish umbrella group defended Israel’s raid of the flotilla heading to Gaza, but some left-wing groups called for an investigation into the deaths of pro-Palestinian activists and are urging more engagement in the peace process.

“We regret the loss of life and the injuries. But the responsibility for these tragic events lies primarily with those who organized and carried out this extremist mission and those that aided and abetted them,” said the heads of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the main pro-Israel umbrella group in the United States.

Several members of the conference and other pro-Israel groups issued similar statements, including the American Jewish Committee, which accused the pro-Hamas “Free Gaza” movement and its supporters of deliberately provoking the violent confrontation.

“This tragedy on the high seas could have been avoided, and we regret the loss of life,” AJC Executive Director David Harris said. “The fact that the flotilla refused to cooperate with Israel’s repeated entreaties to unload their humanitarian cargo in Ashdod for delivery to Gaza proves that violent clashes are exactly what the international supporters of Hamas must have been seeking.”

In sharp contrast to establishment organizations, several Jewish groups issued statements focused on possible Israeli misdeed.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal J Street lobby, said in a statement issued Monday that “A credible, independent commission appointed by the Israeli government should provide the world with a full and complete report into the causes and circumstances surrounding the day’s events and establish responsibility for the violence and bloodshed.”

Ben-Ami said his organization was “shocked and saddened” by reports of the killed and wounded international activists and Israel soldiers.

He called on President Obama and other international leaders to use the incident “as an opportunity to engage even more forcefully in immediate efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Americans for Peace Now called on Israel “to thoroughly investigate the operation and to reassess its policy toward the Gaza Strip.”

Posted on May 27, 2010 - by admin

Celebrating 50 years, Dallas Chamber Baseball League provides life skills on the diamond

By Rachel Gross

Since 1960, the Dallas Chamber Baseball League has been an outlet for children ages 6 to 16 to learn about baseball, make new friends and have fun. Each season, these 1,500 kids develop the principles of sportsmanship and team play.

The league consists of a spring/summer season and a recreational fall season, and includes 102 teams of 13 players. There are five divisions: the C League for ages 6 and 7; B League for ages 8 and 9; A League for ages 10 and 11; AA League for ages 12 and 13; AAA for 14 and above; there is machine pitch for kids ages 10 and under.

Jerold Prager, director of operations, has been with the league for 30 years after retiring from the construction business. He said the main objective is for kids to have fun.

“They are looking for something that will fit for them where they can make friends,” he said. “We are flexible and allow them to play other sports. This trick is to get them with us when the are young, at 6 or 7-years old, so they can learn skills and teamwork.”

The regular season begins in April, but teams begin playing games in March, and runs through the end of June. Although a majority of the players are from North Dallas, the league attracts kids from Richardson, Plano and Carrollton as well.

Originally affiliated with the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the league is now funded by registration fees. A typical season costs about $150-200 per player, with each game the price of a movie ticket. There is an optional tournament at the end of each season.

Another unique aspect is how kids are placed on teams. When a parents calls saying their child is interested in playing, Prager gives them the number of a coach for that age group and the coaches build their own teams.

This, along with flexibility and convenience, is a winning combination.

“I have some coaches that try to build the 1927 Yankees, and I have some that want to have a fun team,” he said. “Games are played everyday of the week; it’s convenient and people like that. We are one of the few groups that give kids the opportunity to be flexible with their schedules. We want them to play.”

Prager added that the game of baseball is both mental and physical and he hopes players are able to develop both. He said he most enjoys seeing generations of families play in the league.

“This is a learning process and practicing is important,” he said. “I like seeing these kids. All of my kids played and enjoyed it. There are great parents who have been with me for a long time. People who have played are now coming back with their children and grandchildren.”

Jerold’s son, Howard, coaches the Division B Cardinals and has been coaching for three years. He played in the league as a child as well.

Prager went on to play professional baseball for seven years with the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals. He wanted to coach so he could contribute his knowledge and give back to a league that allowed him to follow his dreams.

He teaches his players the fundamentals of the game and how to think about strategy.

“I try to make them think about what to do once the ball is hit,” he said. “These kids are only 8 and 9-years-old, so I keep it basic and let them have fun. It may make them learn something and want to keep doing it.”

He added that the most rewarding part is seeing their faces after they get a hit or make a good play knowing he has made an impact.

“I like seeing excitement on kids’ faces when they’ve done something good, or when they make strides and improvements,” he said. “It’s a sense of accomplishment.”

Marc Andres has coached the AAA Storm. For the past five years, he’s coached 12, 14, and 16-year-olds.

Andres said baseball teaches kids life skills for the future. He believes it’s important for them to learn about morals, ethics and sportsmanship.

“Baseball teaches you how to deal with people and adversity,” he said. “The fundamentals are important, but also the teamwork part of the game and staying positive is crucial. As things get more competitive, it’s easy to forgo the sportsmanship, but we have to remember they are kids.”

He added that with older players, he teaches more about the nuances of the game, since most already know the fundamentals. He hopes his players can implement what they learn and be successful.

“I hope they have a great experience and understand the game of baseball,” he said. “I want them to have a better idea of how it’s played and appreciate it better. This league lets them create relationships with teammates and coaches and they make memories.”

For more information, visit www.chamberbaseball.net, e-mail jprager@sbcglobal.net, or call 972-738-9900.

Posted on May 20, 2010 - by admin

Time is money, and 4-year-old Zolomon Kaliser writes about both!

By Deb Silverthorn

Four-year-old Zolomon Kaliser has not only mastered the ABCs and 123s but he’s teaching them to his friends, family and fans of his recently self-published “The Book About Money” and “The Book About Clocks,” which he wrote and illustrated.

“My books teach people about all kinds of coins — the presidents on them, what the coins are worth and what they are made of,” Zolomon said. “Then they can learn about kinds of clocks and how to tell time. I want people to learn.”

The son of Kim and Merrill, and younger brother of Victoria and Mikayla, Zolomon took to writing his own books when he wasn’t interested in reading anyone else’s. The Akiba kid from Gail Mabel’s pre-K/Chaverim class, who is also home-schooled in math, language arts and science, took a simple assignment beyond expectations when presented to him by Mom and his home-school tutor, Jodie “Rose” Wyffels.

“Since he was 18 months old we knew Zolomon had ‘something’ and he’s using that ‘something’ now,” Kim said. “He loves to learn, he really can’t get enough and so we’re always looking for new ways to keep him challenged, to keep him interested. He goes from the instructional DVDs to educational computer programs but we’d hit a moment where reading and writing wasn’t something he wanted to do any more.”

Prompted to write his own story, Zolomon said he didn’t like working in a journal and he wanted to make his own book — and not one, but two. “I want people to read the books and think it’s amazing, but don’t tell me if it isn’t,” said Zolomon, who does like to read the stories of “Sammy the Spider” and “The Gingerbread Man.” “I think they will be surprised that a kid did it.”

“He loves to learn, it’s endless,” said Jodie, who has a master’s in education. “He is adding and subtracting numbers to four digits, he’s borrowing and carrying numbers, and he really grasps the concepts. He’s a master decoder and I really enjoy our time together. This project is far beyond what we planned, but very exciting!”

Printing the books on Mom’s computer was just the start for this future possible Newbery Award recipient. Coming from a family steeped in the concept of education and mitzvot, Zolomon has taken the books to Akiba to help raise funds for the school’s Discovery program. Forty-one copies were sold at a fundraiser on May 7; the books will also be sold, with all proceeds donated, at the program’s end-of-year fine arts exhibition, “Bloom,” on May 26, which will feature displays of artwork by every Akiba student from the youngest preschoolers through the graduating eighth-graders.

“Zolomon is so sweet and so proud of his work. The books are adorable,” said Shari Handler, director of Akiba’s Discovery, which provides primarily afterschool programming of sports, including soccer and T-ball; music, including choir and instruments; Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Mishmar, additional Torah study. “We have a wonderful campus with incredible potential and our program broadens the depth of learning for our students, bringing the finest of extracurricular programming right here. It’s wonderful how he’s helping our program and how he brought his classmates in to help him sell.”

“I love the Discovery classes and want to make it even better,” said Zolomon, who also studies Hebrew with a private tutor and attends Chinese school on Sundays with his two sisters. “I learned a lot about giving to other people and I want to help.” In response to a friend who told him “We’re gonna be rich” after the Akiba fundraiser, he replied “Nope. It’s a mitzvah and we’re giving it to Discovery.”

Zolomon’s books have also caught the eye of Candace Williams, owner of The Toy Maven and Kids Cooking Company, who has ordered 40 copies. Williams invited Zolomon to be featured with a book signing at the Preston/Forest toy store on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Zolomon is so enthused and excited about what he’s doing and we’re excited with and for him. I love that he wants to help others.”

“The books are really cute, really very charming, and I think they will touch a nerve for our clients,” said Candace, who has a master’s in education and believes she responded so strongly in part because of her many years as a teacher. Of the books he’s sold to The Toy Maven, Zolomon plans to donate 20 percent of the proceeds to PBS, distributor of his favorite television programming: “Sid the Science Kid,” “Super WHY!” and “Between the Lions.”

“I’m thrilled my children are interested in learning and giving,” Kim said. She has supported the pursuit of projects for her daughters that have been incorporated into the Akiba classrooms of Liz Morris and Lorre Degani. These include a pen-pal program with children in Uganda and a fundraising project where students made bracelets with proceeds helping the children of Uganda, Haiti and The Chiapas Project, an organization that supports microfinancing programs for women in poverty.

Reading, writing and arithmetic, Zolomon Kaliser has pencil in hand, ideas in mind. If “time is money,” than this young author has both in the bag — his pencil bag.