By Sharon Wisch-Ray
It was wonderful to see old friends and some new ones last week at the Ashton Hotel Patron Party Oct. 2 for the Volunteer Center of North Texas’ Big Hearts Award Breakfast. You may remember, the TJP is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award along with the Junior League of Fort Worth and Tarrant County and Donna Arp Weitzman, former mayor of Colleyville.
Among those in attendance along with me and my better half Alex were my sister Judy Wisch, niece and co-worker Amy Doty from Dallas, niece Jordana Bernstein and her daughter Rosie Bernstein from Dallas. Among those from Fort Worth were Ruthie Bogart and her husband Larry Currie, who were also celebrating their 16th anniversary that day, Debby Rice, Marla Owen, Fort Worth newcomers Laura and Scott Slayton, and my fellow Trinity Valley alum Stephanie Hassler.
In the small world category, I met Connie Cervantez, the volunteer coordinator at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tarrant County. “Wisch?” she asked. “Did y’all have the place over there off Berry Street?” As it turns out, Connie’s sister Helen Mary Sides, who is now 71, worked for the TJP back in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. I remember her and it was great fun to make that connection.
By the time you read this we will have been presented with the actual award yesterday morning at the Omni. I look forward to telling you all about it in a future column.
Lack of power doesn’t hamper Beth Shalom’s Yom Kippur services
Congregation Beth Shalom in Arlington set a new first in its 34-year history. After a powerful wind storm Thursday afternoon, the congregation lost power in the sanctuary, the kitchen and most of the building. Since Kol Nidre was Friday night, an email blast went out and congregants were encouraged to bring flashlights to all Yom Kippur services.
From the makeshift Ner Tamid, and the generator powered microphone and memorial board, the congregation began Kol Nidre services Friday evening by flashlight and battery powered lanterns. With no electric power, Cantor Sheri Allen and the congregation completed each and every service through the blowing of the shofar at the conclusion of services Saturday night. Then, there was a bountiful and delicious break-the-fast in the social hall (the only room with electric power).
Yom Kippur of 5775 will long be remembered for the beautiful services led by Cantor Sheri Allen and shared with the congregation, by flashlight.
Safe Haven and Sundaes in the Sukkah Oct. 14
In recognition of National Domestic Violence Month, the Congregation Ahavath Sholom Ladies Auxiliary will host a unique event at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14 benefiting Safe Haven of Tarrant County.
Special guest speaker will be Krista Moffitt, director of community engagement at Safe Haven of Tarrant County, which operates the only domestic violence shelters in the county.
In addition to the talk, there will be a community project of knitting a blanket to donate to the shelter. You are asked to bring a ball of yarn and knitting needles to knit a square for the blanket. Non-knitters are welcome to come and learn and can help put the blanket together.
Cost for the event is $18 and all proceeds will benefit Safe Haven. To make your reservation, call 817-731-4721.
Congregation Beth Shalom Road Rally
Congregation Beth Shalom (CBS) will conduct a fun-filled Road Rally at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18. The starting point for the event is at CBS 1212 Thannisch Drive in Arlington. Put on your best thinking cap and try to guess the 10 clues of places in Arlington.
The first vehicle to arrive at the last location in the least amount of time wins. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and last place teams, and the driver with the least amount of mileage.
This a fun event where teams of up to six adults (over 18 years old) per vehicle, try to guess each of 10 clues, given out one at a time that will take them to various locations throughout the city. The boundaries include Dalworthington Gardens and Pantego. Dust off your GPS, and try Google to find these locations.
Are you up the challenge? Put together a team and sign up NOW! I’m told most of the clues will be easy. But don’t worry. If you can’t figure one out, a rally official will be available by phone to assist.
You can register/pay as an individual or as a team. If you do not have a team/team leader, you will be placed on a team upon your arrival at CBS. You can pay/register online at http://bethshalom.org by scrolling down and clicking on Road Rally Registration Form (you need a personal PayPal account to pay online) for the event or pay by check.
If you are registering as a team with a team leader, please download the registration form from the CBS home page (center portion of home page — bethshalom.org) and fill it out. Please send your registration form and check (if not paying online) to Congregation Beth Shalom.
If you want, you can scan the registration form and email it to info@bethshalom.org.
If you have any additional questions about the Road Rally, please email Phil Kabakoff at kabbyintx@yahoo.com or you can call him at 817-572-4928.
We look forward to seeing you on the roads of Arlington Oct. 18!
On Oct. 19, CAS to sponsor ‘Jerusalem’ screening
I have mentioned in previous columns the highly touted film “Jersualem,” which we are fortunate to have at the IMAX Theater at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History right now. On Sunday, Oct. 19, Congregation Ahavath Sholom will present an intimate after-hours private screening of the stunning, National Geographic film. You can only view this significant film in Fort Worth and only for a limited time.
Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch (“Star Trek into the Darkness” and PBS’s “Sherlock”), “Jerusalem” gives audiences a rare glimpse of the ancient, storied city, as well as exclusive access to iconic holy sites and little-known parts of the region — including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee and the mountain fortress of Masada. Filmmakers were granted special permission in the region’s strict no-fly zone, enabling them to capture the first-ever large format aerial images of the Old City and throughout the Holy Land.
Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. The IMAX Theater at the Fort Worth Museum Science and History is located at 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth.
Tickets are $36 for adults; $18 for students with an ID and seniors; and $9 for 10 and under. Purchase tickets by calling the shul office at 817-731-4721. The event ticket includes the IMAX movie “Jerusalem,” post-film discussion and free parking.
Bring the whole family, call your friends and make plans to see this spectacular cinematic journey through the Old City and many other famous landmarks.