By Sharon Wisch-Ray

It was wonderful to catch up recently with Bernie Appel and Dick Abrams at the University of North Texas Jewish Studies Program’s inaugural presentation of the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Award, to UNT Chancellor Lee Jackson April 18 at Donna and Herb Weitzman’s beautiful Dallas home.
If you’ve ever met Richard Golden, the tireless and passionate Jewish Studies Program director, it’s easy to see why so many ourtowners have gotten behind the JSP and serve on the advisory board. In addition to Bernie, and Dick, the current board chair, are Morty Herman and Arnie Gachman.
The Jewish Studies Program has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and if Jackson’s April 18 remarks are any indication, the university is firmly committed to the program.
According the program’s website, the UNT initiative is the only Jewish studies program at a public university in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. UNT is the largest university in the North Texas region, with more than 36,000 students and more Jewish students than all other Dallas-Fort Worth universities combined.
The Jewish Studies Program includes 48 courses on Jews and Judaism across seven of UNT’s colleges, taught by 28 faculty in 12 departments. Thirteen courses are on the State of Israel. By way of comparison, only two of the top 20 U.S. universities offered seven or more courses in Israel in the academic year 2008-09.
The Jewish Studies Program offers multiple scholarships from seven endowments and programs. The program offers a minor in Jewish studies and plans to establish a Master of Arts in Jewish studies.
The Jewish Studies Program is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.
For information about Jewish studies at UNT, visit jewishstudies.unt.edu.

Family calls on Jacobson

It was nice to hear from Corrine Jacobson, who recently enjoyed a visit from her niece Betsy Batwin, Betsy’s daughter and son-in-law Rachel and Jeff Morris, and their baby, Amiee.
They are all from the Orlando, Fla., area.
Corrine said she had a fun day. Many will remember Betsy as Jimmy and Annette Rosenthal’s youngest daughter. Hearing from Corrine reminded me of a story my mom shared with me frequently about how Corrine was the most organized person in the world.
Mom told me that Corrine was known to make school lunches for her brood a week at a time and freeze them ahead of time. I think of this often when I’m rushing around making lunches for my own crew, and I think mom must have shared this story with me because I may be the least organized person.
When I shared this with Corrine, she said that being organized is still an important part of her life at 85, and she was tickled pink to hear the anecdote.

Save the date: May 19

Congregation Beth Israel will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at the synagogue, 6100 Pleasant Run Road in Colleyville. Registration is now open.
Although walk-ins will be accommodated, those who register in advance will be seen at their scheduled time.
To register, visit https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/35462. For information, contact Barry Klompus at 817-271-1569 or justice@congregationbethisrael.org.

In conclusion …

I’m thrilled to be hearing from so many readers! Please send your news to me at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com. Graduation is right around the corner; share your graduate’s info with me by email or feel free to call at 817-927-2831. I look forward to hearing from you.