Around the Town

Jewish Family Services dedicates donor wall

I was sorry not to be back from vacation in time to attend the dedication of JFS’ much anticipated donor wall. Thank you to JFS director Dr. Carole Rogers who submitted the following report.
A few years ago Jewish Family Services started the Key Endowment Fund. The fund was established to support the agency’s operating costs.

Jewish Family Services recently dedicated its donor wall for the Key Operating Endowment, which supports the agency’s operating costs. | Photo: Courtesy of JFS
Jewish Family Services recently dedicated its donor wall for the Key Operating Endowment, which supports the agency’s operating costs. | Photo: Courtesy of JFS

On Aug. 17 Jewish Family Services had a low-key dedication to thank the people who have and continue to support JFS and the work it does in the Fort Worth and Tarrant County Jewish community.
Bob Goldberg, Federation director, started off the dedication by discussing four Jewish values which he said guided the community and were expressed in the day’s celebration:

  • collective responsibility
  • deeds and actions matter
  • the pursuit of justice
  • repairing the world

Bob ended his comments by saying, “This wall is a proud moment and this wall will be a reminder and inspiration to me, and I hope to you as well, to strive to be better and live guided by these values, so we can continue our commitment to, and our membership in Klal Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh. … all Jews are responsible for one another.”
Rogers thanked everyone for their support of the organization. She said in addition to financial contributions, community members were always available to show their appreciation as well as offer constructive ideas to make JFS a more effective agency. Rogers ended her comments by saying, “we can leave here today knowing how fortunate all of us to be part of something bigger than ourselves. … that together we have created something to sustain our community for generations to come.”
The short ceremony ended with a wonderful blessing by Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger who had just arrived back in town the evening before.
People mingled and noshed on some wonderful breakfast foods before and after the dedication. All felt pleased by the accomplishments of Jewish Family Services and the role it played in strengthening the Fort Worth and Tarrant County community.
Ironically, the dedication was held the day before what would have been the 92nd birthday of one of Jewish Family Services’ most ardent supporters… Rene Wisch. She loved the Fort Worth and Tarrant County Jewish community, she loved JFS and JFS loved her. Rene’s name is one of the names on the donor wall. While we wish she was there in person to see it, she was definitely there in spirit.

A new addition to the Blum family

Mazal tov to Laurie and Marvin Blum who welcomed their second granddaughter, Juliet Georgie Savetsky July 25, 2014. Juliet was born at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York to Elizabeth Blum Savetsky, originally of Fort Worth, and Ira Savetsky, M.D., of New York City. Proud big sister is Stella Savetsky. In addition to Laurie and Marvin, grandparent honors are shared by Aliza and Richard Savetsky of Long Island, New York. Great-grandmother is Elsie Blum of Fort Worth.

Pictured here are Elizabeth and Ira Savetsky with their daughters, newborn Juliet and Stella. Elizabeth is a Fort Worth native. She is the daughter of Laurie and Marvin Blum and the granddaughter of Elsie Blum, all of Fort Worth.
Pictured here are Elizabeth and Ira Savetsky with their daughters, newborn Juliet and Stella. Elizabeth is a Fort Worth native. She is the daughter of Laurie and Marvin Blum and the granddaughter of Elsie Blum, all of Fort Worth.

Juliet Georgie is named for her mother’s beloved grandfather, Julius George Blum, who was a lifelong member of the Fort Worth Jewish community. Her Hebrew name is Yehudit Gital, after Julius Blum’s Hebrew name Yehuda Getzel.
I remember years ago when Juliet’s mom Elizabeth wowed the Ahavath Shalom congregation at the High Holidays with her beautiful rendition of “L’Dor V’dor.” Now, Elizabeth is a working mom in the New York fashion industry as director of social media/brand ambassador for Erickson Beamon jewelry and Seventh House Public Relations, along with managing her fashion blog ExcessoriesExpert.com. Ira is a surgery resident at New York University, currently engaged in a two-year research fellowship in lymphatic biology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The family looks forward to celebrating Juliet’s birth at a simchat bat on the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah in Manhattan.

Quick Reminder: Inaugural Tarrant County Chili Cook-off

Don’t miss Monday’s kosher chili cook-off, which will be held at Hillel Academy of Tarrant County, 5808 Denton Highway Haltom City. The festivities get underway at noon and continue until 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and food will be available for purchase. I hope to see you there.

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