The Isadore Garsek B’nai B’rith Lodge # 269 is now taking applications for its annual Scholarship Award
The lodge is offering two scholarships of $1,800.00. Applicants must be high school seniors. Parents or guardians must be members of the Isadore Garsek Lodge and/or of an established Jewish Congregation in Tarrant County. The parent or guardian must be a member in good standing for a period 12 months prior to submission of the application. Children of deceased parents are also eligible if the parent died while a member for at least twelve consecutive months.
The Academic Scholarship is competitive and will be awarded principally based on academic achievement, but accomplishments, demonstrated interests and participation in both school oriented and outside activities are also important considerations.
BBYO Participation scholarship is based on a comprehensive point system that rewards participation in BBYO. The applicant with the most points ultimately wins the scholarship.
The application deadline is May 15, 2011.
For more information, contact Dr. Barry Schneider at dr_ barrys@ yahoo.com, youth advisor or Rabbi.
Isadore Garsek Lodge of B’nai B’rith sums up its 2010 activities
Speaking of the Garsek Lodge, Robert Chicotsky recently shared with us the 2010 activities of Bnai Brith.
The Isadore Garsek Lodge of B’nai B’rith was involved in many programs and activities last year.
In March, they provided a Senior Seder for approximately 125 people. The seder took place at Temple Beth-El. Without the help of B’nai B’rith and its active members each year, many of those in attendance would not have a place for a seder. The lodge is so fortunate to have the active membership to put this on annually, and they look forward to doing this again as they have for so many years.
In April, a Russian Dinner was held at Congregation Ahavath Sholom with more than 200 people in attendence. There was vodka and caviar as well as a wonderful band for the event — great music for listening and dancing.
In June, Shuggie Cohen was chosen the Jewish Person of the Year in front of a crowd of nearly 200 people. The food was catered by Risky’s Bar-b-Que. Shuggie was the oldest recipient of this tremendous honor. There were many past recipients at the event as well as Shuggie’s children and grandchildren. During this event, the Tarrant County Chapter of B’nai B’rith gave out $3,000 in scholarships to several high school seniors. All Tarrant County Jewish high school seniors are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. The money is available and the chapter wants to encourage young people to further their education.
B’nai B’rith’s Oneg took place in July at Temple Beth-El. With approximately 25 members in attendance for the Friday night service, they had the opportunity to spread the word about the Fort Worth B’nai B’rith and participate in the service.
In August, B’nai B’rith sponsored the first Outdoor Movie featuring the film “Bye-Bye Birdie.” More than 75 people attended this event. The youth group sold sodas, popcorn and candy. B’nai B’rith looks forward to doing this event again. The organization sees itself as a group that is bringing Tarrant County Jews together for good times and fellowship. Additionally, in August, Fort Worth B’nai B’rith sent out the Tarrant County Community Directory with more than 1,800 entries, including e-mail addresses. This book, the No. 1 resource book of the Jewish community of Tarrant County, was distributed to nearly 2,000 people, and completely paid for by very generous sponsors.
B’nai B’rith was fortunate to host our local Congresswoman Kay Granger in September, with a crowd of 150 on hand at Temple Beth-El, for an interesting update on Congress and Israel. Kay is a strong supporter of Israel. This forum is something B’nai B’rith would like to sponsor again in the future.
In October, B’nai B’rith sponsored the Shabbat Lunch at the Shul, giving them the opportunity to showcase the organization and all that it does for the community.
Once again in November, B’nai B’rith sponsored the Senior Thanksgiving Celebration at Temple Beth-El. Approximately 150 attendees made this the biggest turnout ever. The chapter president led the team in planning, cooking and serving this delicious lunch.
And in December, for the 25th year in a row, the Isadore Garsek B’nai B’rith Lodge made breakfast and lunch for the people at Beautiful Feet Mission. Additionally, they obtained gifts for all the children, and toiletries for the many people who are helped by Beautiful Feet. This effort allows our Christian friends who volunteer at the mission to spend Christmas morning at home with their families. B’nai B’rith helps give a little Christmas joy to the lives of the 400–500 people who are in need.
As you can see, this is a very active organization involved in all parts of the community. The lodge has sent money to B’nai B’rith chapters in Israel to help the needy there. It also sent money to Israel to help replant the forest lost to the largest forest fire in Israel and to commemorate the loss of the 16-year-old Jewish boy who died fighting the fire.
Come and join in B’nai B’rith’s fun-filled efforts of community and worldwide involvement. This active organization can always use another hand in helping the more than 2,000 lives it touches each and every year. Their motto is, “Through involvement we sustain our liberty.”
Week-long Holocaust programming begins April 27
The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County will host a week of Holocaust Programming from April 27–May 4. The week will kick off on Wednesday at McKinney Memorial Bible Church at 7 p.m. with a Dallas Holocaust Museum Presentation. On Thursday, Arborlawn United Methodist Church will screen the film “100 Voices: A Journey Home,” from 1-3 p.m. The topic on Friday April 29th will be “Tea and Conversation: Intimate Holocaust Experiences” and the film “Toyland” will be shown at Congregation Ahavath Sholom from 2–4 p.m. Sunday May 1st will mark the annual Community Yom HaShoah Service and Program. The Featured speaker will be Rabbi Michael Berenbaum, past president and CEO of the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. The program, held at Beth El Congregation, begins at 7 p.m. The following evening, Monday, May 2, there will be a Survivor Mitzvah Project and Presentation at Beth-El at 7 p.m. Dr. Zsusanna Ozvath, chair of Holocaust Studies and professor of literature at the University of Texas at Dallas will speak on Tuesday May 3 from 1-3 p.m. at Congregation Ahavath Sholom. It will be a special treat to host the Central High School Drama Department at Beth El Congregation at 7 p.m. also on May 3. They will perform “The Survivor.” Finally, the week wraps up on May 4 with an encore showing of “100 Voices: A Journey Home,” at Ahavath Sholom at 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. Please RSVP to the Federation Office at 817-569-0892. The week is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County with financial support from the Tandy/Posy McMIllen Endowment form Holocaust Education and the Dan Danciger/Fort Worth Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation.