By Amy Wolff Sorter
As you read this issue, time is inexorably moving on. In a few days, we’ll shift the secular calendar pages to 2013, an event proceeded by a lot of celebrating.
To that end, I wish all the readers out there a very happy celebration as we move into 2013 (and please be careful if you are venturing out; there are many careless people behind the wheel at this time of year). And just a reminder — if you have any get-togethers or parties that you’d like to share with others in Tarrant County, send ‘em along. As always, I’m at awsorter@yahoo.com.
I’m always interested in reporting news and events from all synagogues and Jewish organizations in the county, so please don’t be shy about sending them along.
Speaking of turning calendar pages
Jewish Women International of Fort Worth will have its first meeting of 2013 Wednesday, Jan. 2 at Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven.
Chabad of Fort Worth/Tarrant County Rabbi Dov Mandel will speak about Kabbalah.
The group will meet at 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, and the meeting will begin at 10 a.m.
… also coming up in January
Plan to come to Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 S. Hulen St., in Fort Worth, at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6. There you’ll be treated to an interesting talk by Ross S. Kraemer, Cristol Lecture Scholar, who will discuss “Christian Bishops, Christian Emperors, Jewish Subjects: The Fate of the Mediterranean Diaspora.”
The event is taking place in conjunction with TCU’s Brite Divinity School — and looking at Dr. Kraemer’s background (she’s professor of religious studies and Judaic studies at Brown University), this should be a very interesting event.
The Chanukah wrap
Hedy Collins was nice enough to send us photos from the recent Chanukah wrapping party sponsored by the Jewish Family Services’ senior program.
While Alden Karotkin and Marilyn Rubin co-chaired the senior’s program, Joan Katz organized the wrapping party and fed everyone.
Notes Hedy: “It was a fun, meaningful evening filled with poignant stories and lots of laughter and camaraderie. Thank you so much for all of the hard work everyone did to make this year’s seniors’ wishes come true.” And looking at these photos, it’s very apparent that a very good time was had by all.
If you want to laugh a lot
The sisterhood at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville is hosting its FUNdrasier Comedy Night at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5.
The main event will be stand-up comic Keith Barany, whose claim to fame has involved creating material for the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Kimmel and Bill Maher. He’s also been overseas to entertain the troops and has actually shared the stage with Bob Hope and Joan Rivers, among others.
His show mixes Jewish and mainstream humor — and from the clips I’ve seen about him, this guy is hilarious (and relies on “clean” humor, which is refreshing in this day and age).
The event will take place at the synagogue (6100 Pleasant Run Road).
Cost is $25 for advance tickets ($30 at the door), and sponsorships are available. You can purchase them online by logging onto https://buy.ticketstothecity.com/purchase.php?date_id=10874.
For information, contact sisterhood directly by emailing sisterhood@congregationbethisrael.org.
Mah jongg, anyone?
It isn’t too late to get your own set of mah jongg cards. In addition to replacing your worn-out set (or adding a back-up set to your collection), proceeds benefit Hadassah and all its good works.
Cost is $7 per deck for standard size; $8 for large print.
Questions? Contact Barbara Weinberg at 817-346-0331. Or if you don’t have questions and already know what you want, let Barbara know by sending your order, along with your check made payable to Barbara, to her attention at 4600 Westlake Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76132.
Deadline for orders is Jan. 10.
On the Hebrew calendar
… moving from the secular to the Hebrew calendar, it’s a good opportunity to mention the “Rosh Chodesh Society” workshops presented by the Chabads of Fort Worth and Arlington.
These are study sessions based on the Kabbalah and geared specifically toward women. They also present a really good opportunity to get together with old friends and meet some new ones.
The January sessions will be about “Food in Focus: The Kabbalah of Spiritual Dieting.” If you’re interested in in more information (and specific dates), log onto the Chabad’s websites — www.chabadfortworth.com or www.arlingtonchabad.com.
Incidentally, as the Rosh Chodesh Society is part of the Chabad movement, they also take place at Chabad of Plano (www.chabadplano.org) and Chabad of Dallas (www.chabadofdallas.com).