By Amy Wolff Sorter

We’re at that time of year when the Bradfords flower, the dandelions show their yellow faces (and release their annoying seeds), the clocks are turned ahead and the weather becomes warmer.
It’s also the time of year during which the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County raises funds for its many programs throughout the community. Money raised goes to local organizations including Jewish Family Services, Lil Goldman Early Learning Center, Tarrant County synagogues, University of North Texas’ Jewish Studies Program, the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and Jewish War Veterans. A portion of what’s raised also goes overseas to help aid needy Jews around the world.
This Sunday (March 17) is the Federation’s Tzedakah Sunday — so when you receive that phone call, please donate. Even better, you can be generous with your time by volunteering to make those calls — Mitzvah Corps will meet this Sunday at Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Rd. in Fort Worth to do just that.
Three-hour shifts are available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For information, call the federation at 817-569-0892.

Speaking of Beth-El

Ilana Knust, the synagogue’s educational director, shares with us that on March 3, religious school students and their parents participated in Family Day — which included family crafts, prayers and photo ops.

Parents also participated in a discussion titled “The American Jews: Choices and Challenges,” hosted by Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger and Knust.
“I was in awe,” she said. “It was very moving, creative and family oriented.”
Next up at the religious school is “Passover Around the World,” which takes place Sunday, March 24. Older youngsters can learn about how Pesach is observed around the world. Meanwhile, children ages 0-4 will be able to participate in “A Musical Passover Celebration” in the TINOKOT Toddler and Parents Playgroup. This takes place from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Speaking of Passover

Don’t forget B’nai B’rith’s senior seder, which this year will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 20 at Beth-El Congregation.

And speaking of seniors

Members of the Jewish Family Services Senior Program recently attended “Flight of the Butterflies” at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Omni Imax theater, followed by a delicious lunch.
Writes Hedy Collins: “The movie was beautiful and of course lunch was plentiful and delicious!”
Thanks go to the community volunteers — Michael Edwards, Linda Maxville, Stephanie Dubinsky, Judy Massis Leventhal, Donna Bekman and Kim Marks.

Mazel tov to the Cherkasovs

Eugene and Larissa Cherkasov were honored for 35 years of marriage at a special concert (actually, part of the Wedgwood Chamber Music Series, which Larissa oversees) at Unity Fort Worth Church on Trail Lake Drive.
This is an appropriate way to observe the happy couple’s milestone: Eugene is assistant concertmaster with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, while Larissa is the adjunct faculty with TCU’s School for Classic and Contemporary Dance (as well as a private piano teacher).
The Cherkasovs arrived in Fort Worth during the mid-1990s from Russia, and have dedicated their time and lives to arts in the community.

And mazel tov to Hollace Weiner …

… who had an article published in the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina’s spring 2013 issue. The article refers to a confederate soldier — Pvt. Edwin J. Sampson — who was killed in action in 1862 during the War Between the States and who was buried in a special Soldiers Section of Richmond’s Hebrew Cemetery.
Sampson, apparently, hailed from San Antonio. Hollace continues to research the family and will present her results at a November meeting of the Southern Jewish Historical Society in Birmingham, Ala.
Also on that panel will be Scott Langston, who teaches Southern Jewish history at TCU. The discussion will be about the so-called “Charleston Diaspora,” the migrations and influences of Jews who settled in South Carolina and who ended up moving west to Galveston, San Antonio and Austin.

And finally

The upcoming Passover holiday means friends, family and, of course, food (and plenty of it). Please feel free to share your celebrations by emailing me at awsorter@yahoo.com.