By Sharon Wisch-Ray

I am certain that Lil Goldman must have touched every Fort Worth Jewish family in some way over her many years as an educator. I know as we have sifted through photos in our home, there are a myriad of preschool photos of our various preschool classes, with Miss Lil’s lovely smile and elegant demeanor a part of every one. It is only fitting that the Lil Goldman Early Learning Center will hold its 60th anniversary celebration weekend Friday through Sunday, Oct. 18-20.
The community is invited to take part in the celebration, which will include something for everyone. There will be Friday evening Shabbat services honoring all Lil Goldman teachers at Beth-El Congregation; Saturday morning Shabbat services honoring all Lil Goldman students at Congregation Ahavath Sholom; and a Saturday night Champagne and Chocolate Nosh honoring 60 years of learning at the home of Rachel and Michael Goldman for the Lil’s Kids Club members and major donors to the school. The weekend will culminate from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 with a huge family celebration picnic at Congregation Ahavath Sholom.
The picnic is free of charge to everyone and the entire community is invited. There will be live entertainment, pony rides, a photo booth, bounce houses, a laser maze for the kids, as well as kosher hot dogs and hamburgers. Coordinators hope all past and present students will participate in the celebration. This picnic is for “the young and the young-at-heart.” That includes everyone.
A special 60th anniversary tribute book, which will tell the story of the Lil Goldman Early Learning Center throughout the decades, will be presented during the weekend. To add your “tribute,” “family story,” or “personal message” to support the important work of the Lil Goldman Early Learning Center, contact the office at 817-737-9898 or visit http://lilgoldmanschool.org/new/lils-60th-anniversary/. Tributes are available from a $36 one-line greeting to an entire front or back page for $1,800. Many people are purchasing pages and putting their family photos in the book to show how their families have grown through the generations. Money raised from this campaign will provide a safety and security update to the school playground for generations to come. Karen Telschow Johnson and Marvin Beleck are co-chairs of the celebratory weekend.

Learn about Chisholm Trail Parkway

Are you tired of construction detours? Are you wondering about the huge pillars and bridges that surround you whichever direction you turn? At 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Beth-El, the “Daytimers” will find out all about the Chisholm Trail Parkway, how this massive construction project is coming along and how it will affect traffic in the future.
The people in charge of this project, Kevin Reilly, corridor manager, and Sam Lopez, project communication manager, will show pictures and maps, and give a detailed explanation of the project, including which roads will be closed forever.
Catering will be a “Daytimers” favorite, Boopa’s Bagel Deli, and guests have a choice of turkey and hummus on a sesame bagel, cream cheese and assorted veggies on a pumpernickel bagel, or lox and cream cheese on an everything bagel, plus chips, cookies, coffee or tea. Lunch is $9, or guests may attend for $4 for cookies, and coffee or tea. Anyone who would like to order bagels for yourself delivered with the lunch order, may call Boopa’s with a credit card at 817-232-4771.
For information and reservations, call with your credit card to Barbara Rubin, 817-927-2736, Larry Steckler, 520-990-3155, or Hugh Lamensdorf, 817-738-1428, or reserve for yourself at www.bethelfw.org/donations. The Sylvia Wolens “Daytimers” is a program of Beth-El Congregation with financial support from the Jewish Federation

Date Change for Robbi Sherwin

The “Daytimers” program for Oct. 23, featuring Cantor Robbi Sherwin, is postponed until Wednesday, Oct. 30. Robbi reported, “The good news is that my brother, Scott, is about to remarry a wonderful woman, Ellen Blitz. She is a sweetheart and fits beautifully into our family. The bad news is, my father and I have to fly to Florida to attend the wedding (I am the officiant) and we need to leave on the day that I am scheduled to come to the Daytimers, Oct. 23.” So all is well, and it has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 30. Please change your calendars. Incidentally, it’s been a busy couple of years for Robbi. She is due to graduate rabbinical school in July 2014; was elected vice-president of the Women Cantors’ Network’ and just won a number of awards along with her band Sababa for their music. Congrats!