Purim gala rocks at Ahavath Sholom
After almost a year of planning, Zale Hall rocked at Ahavath Sholom on Purim as over 200 revelers gathered to celebrate with a costume gala ball. Following hors d’oeuvres and the reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther) the party swung into high gear with a delicious dinner catered by Elsie Blum, Maria Loya and the Ahavath Sholom Catering Committee, dancing to live music and a white elephant auction. Other activities during the evening included a fortune teller, a stilt walker, mask making and a caricaturist. One of the highlights of the evening was a performance by an exotic belly dancer. Thanks go out to Committee Chair Dr. Harold Malofsky and his entire committee: Marcia Malofsky, Suzie Herman, Barbara Schuster, Ben Herman and Dr. Dennis Schuster.
Everyone had a great time and is looking forward to Ahavath Sholom’s next big event!
Beth-El’s Purim bash: something for everyone
“It is said, in the month of Adar to be happy” — and happy and joyful they were at Beth-El Congregation.
Purim was a blast! Beth-El’s Purim celebration for all ages began with one of those great MRJ (Man of Reform Judaism) dinners. Everyone enjoyed the feast with lovely background music and each other’s company. The children were involved in costume making, face painting, a clown and Purim trivia.
After dinner it all began. The rabbi dressed as Achashverosh, told the story from his point of view in five different sections and between each section attendees did line dancing , enjoyed jokes, danced the hora, sang “Lean on Me,” had a costume parade contest and most important, listened to the chanting of the Megillah.
After the Megillah reading the DJ invited everyone to dance, dance and dance some more.
Purim at Beth Shalom
The CBS Theatre (CBS standing for Congregation Beth Shalom) proudly presented a fabulous Purimshpiel written by Cantor Sheri Allen with lyrics based on popular Broadway hit songs, on Saturday, March 19. The cast of characters colorfully adorned in costumes belted out tunes and performed brilliantly to a packed-house audience who responded with the appropriate boos, hisses and “groggering.”
Debra Kaplan wowed the house with her rendition of “I Am Vashti” sung to the tune of Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman,” and Phil Landsberg, a one-man orchestra, trumpeted cues to all the singers. Randy San Antonio created a “Praybill” mimicking the Broadway version of Playbill complete with lyrics to the songs of the 10 chapters of the Megillah which Cantor Allen so beautifully chanted.
Beth Shalom extends special thanks to the cast of characters: Richard Allen, Debra Kaplan, Stuart Snow, Hy Siegel, Marian Feld, Phil Kabakoff, Cameron Lizun, Randy San Antonio, Sherwin Rubin, Phil Landsberg, Ryan Silverberg, Jessica Silverberg, Ean Robertson, Hailey Posner, Kendall Posner, Dylan Jeffreys, Hannah Jeffreys, Arielle Sasley, Kailey Kaplan, Zachary Mikulencak.
A delicious barbecue dinner preceded the service, which was also followed by a hamantaschen dessert reception. Beth Shalom is grateful to Stephanie Posner, Lynda Friedensohn and Angela Markson for organizing the gastronomic feast.
A modern, meaningful twist on the seder
A Passover seder should inspire us to change our lives, educate us about our traditions and connect us as a family and as a people. On April 10, 3:30–5 p.m., Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker will lead “Modern Seder 2011” at Congregation Beth Israel, 6100 Pleasant Run Road, Colleyville. Attendees will receive the gift of a new Haggadah; knowledge and comfort in planning their own seder; and fun, exciting, delicious ideas and recipes. This interactive program is designed for individuals and families, third grade and up. The free event is made possible by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Please RSVP to cbiadministration@gmail.com by Monday, April 4.
B’nai B’rith to hold mini-Passover luncheon at Beth-El, April 12
The Isadore Garsek B’nai B’rith Lodge cordially invites the community to their annual mini-Passover luncheon on Tuesday, April 12, at 11:30 a.m. at Beth-El. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Cherkasovs. Jewish Family Services will provide transportation at 10:30 a.m. for seniors who live in the B’nai B’rith apartments. If you wish to attend, please RSVP no later than April 5 to Elsa at Jewish Family Services, 817-569-0898.
CBI ‘First Seder Together’ will match hosts and guests
Congregation Beth Israel announces “First Seder Together,” a project which will match seder hosts with seder guests within the CBI family. Nobody should be without a home to go to for the seder, so won’t you consider taking part in this meaningful program and opening your home on the first day of Passover, Monday, April 18?
If you would be willing to host, or if you would appreciate being a guest at a seder, you are invited to send the information requested below to Congregation Beth Israel, 6100 Pleasant Run Road, Colleyville, TX 76034. Please respond by Monday, April 4, in order to be considered for this program. Matching will be based on participation, so CBI cannot guarantee a match.
For all participants, CBI needs to know: name; address; home phone; cell or work phone; e-mail; temple program interests, if any; guest or host?
For guests: number of seder guests; names of guests; ages of guests; special considerations.
For hosts: number of seder guests you can host; age range of seder guests you can host; special considerations.
Please contact Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker at 817-581-5500 if you have any questions about this wonderful opportunity.