By Sharon Wisch-Ray

Daytimers host presentation about women in Islam

Dina Malki presented “Muslim Women between Liberation and Oppression” to the March meeting of Daytimers at Congregation Beth El in Fort Worth. The interfaith dialogue was a valuable and meaningful experience for all who attended.
The Grand Hall was filled with more than 50 deeply interested men and women who came for lunch and stayed to listen to Malki’s presentation, which was titled, “Muslim Women Between Liberation and Oppression.” Most of the audience said they always perceived Muslim women to be oppressed. This interfaith and cultural exchange demonstrated the high civility of its participants.
While Malki did show the portions of the Qur’an that support the equality of women, Muslim women are still faced with the reality of Islamic governments that appear to think differently. For example, women in Saudi Arabia still cannot drive a car.
An active question and answer session followed, and while many issues need more study, this well-attended gathering certainly presented the Muslim viewpoint in a face to face meeting.
Next month Daytimers will gather in a “Take Me Out To The Ballpark” session April 9. The always fascinating Dr. Bobby Brown will regale those who attend with his life story about how a baseball player (for the New York Yankees) got his medical degree while playing, became the president of the American League, moved to Fort Worth to practice cardiology and went on to be a vice president of the Texas Rangers.
Keeping with the baseball theme, Daytimers will be serving hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and Crackerjacks for lunch.
To sign up for this exciting event call Larry Steckler at 817-927-2736 to make a reservation. The presentation with lunch will cost $9. Presentation alone is $5.

Next Showtime Film Series movie is April 6 at CAS

At 6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 6, Congregation Ahavath Sholom will show the sixth film in its 2014 Showtimes Film Series, “Brothers.”
The underlying theme of the movie is conflict in Israel between Chassidic and secular Jews. Yossi Yaacobi will lead the discussion after the showing of the film.
The movie is the story of two estranged brothers, one an Orthodox Jewish lawyer in Brooklyn, the other a kibbutznik in Israel. The lawyer goes to Israel for a trial representing students in a Yeshiva who want to avoid military service. He gets involved with his brother, and the story of the estrangement comes out. The 116 minute film has been reviewed as awesome. It was shown at Temple Emanu-El Film Festival in Dallas last year to great acclaim.
All of the Showtimes Film Series films are free, so are the refreshments. Everyone in the community is invited.
Hats off to Showtimes’ committee members Liz Chesser, Elizabeth Cohen, Kate Cohen, Foster Owen, Dr. Jane Pawgan, Debby Rice, Reggie Rog, Jayna Sosland, Jim Stansbury and Riki Zide.
Congregation Ahavath Sholom’s 2014 Showtimes Film Series is funded by Congregation Ahavath Sholom as well as the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, and we appreciate their help so much.
For more information please call Congregation Ahavath Sholom at 817-731-4721.
See you at the movies

Annual senior mini-seder

Isadore Garsek Lodge of B’nai B’rith will host its annual Senior Mini-Seder at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 8 at Beth-El Congregation in Fort Worth. The service will be meaningful, the food great and the company even better. You can RSVP to Lesley at Jewish Family Services, 817-569-0898.