Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

Retired Dallas judge returns on book tour

Retired Dallas County District Judge, Bob Moss, returns to Dallas Sunday, Dec. 11 as part of the launch tour for his new release Vibes From The Screen: Getting Greater Enjoyment from Films. Moss will participate in a meet-the-author book signing at the Half Price Books flagship store, 5803 E. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Following his retirement from the bench in 2003, Moss began offering Continuing Legal Education programs at the Chicago Bar Association. After several years, Bob decided to follow his longtime passion — films. He returned to his alma mater, Northwestern University, for additional film studies and in 2011 began leading film study groups for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Northwestern. Vibes From The Screen: Getting Greater Enjoyment from Films comes from the proven methods used by those groups to analyze and appreciate the films they watched, adhering to the notion that “to understand what a film is trying to say is to know how it is saying it.”

Vibes From the Screen is a basic guide for those movie watchers hoping to get something more than entertainment out of a film. Readers learn how to recognize and understand the many techniques used by filmmakers to convey both story and meaning in a way that affects the viewer physically, mentally and emotionally. Bob Moss builds his book around the words of the great filmmakers including Hitchcock, Sayles, Storaro, Caine and Streep. Through them, he introduces readers to the elements of film and also provides an understanding of how various people involved in making a film think about their craft. From these glimpses, the viewer gains better insight into recognizing the themes communicated through the images and sounds of a film. The proven result is greater film enjoyment and an appreciation of the art itself.
— Submitted by Bob Moss

Dallas gymnasts secure spot on USA Maccabi Gymnastics team

Last weekend In Norman, Oklahoma, Kaya Haymann, 12, and Sarah Weisberg, 16, competed in the trials for the USA Maccabiah Gymnastics Team. The 20th World Maccabiah Games will be held in Israel in the summer of 2017.
Both girls were successful in securing a spot on the team. Kaya and Sarah train under Cecile and Laurent Landi, who also trained Olympic champion Madison Kocian at WOGA Gymnastics in Plano. Kaya is the daughter of Julie and Gary Haymann, and Sarah is the daughter of Jonathan and Grace Weisberg.
Additionally, Griffin Levine, who plays basketball for Yavneh Academy, will represent the U.S. as well on the boys’ basketball team.

News and notes

• On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Jewish rap star Kosha Dillz will describe his recovery from addiction and returning to his faith. The event takes place at 7 p.m. in Temple Emanu-El’s Linz Hall. RSVP online at participate.tedallas.org/koshadillz.
• Dallas Jewish Historical Society will hold a photo and document scanning day from 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road. Scan and preserve your photographs, family documents and other important items of your family history. Scans take up less space and are easily shared. The scanning is free, though a donation is suggested. For more information, contact archivist@djhs.org or 214-239-7120.
• On Dec. 1, the Dallas Peace and Justice Center honored Linda Evanson Abrams with its 2016 Peace Legacy-Lifetime Achievement Award.