By Sharon Wisch-Ray

Kudos to the members of the Isadore Garsek Lodge of B’nai B’rith who continued their almost three-decade tradition of Christmas mitzvahs. On Christmas Day the organization sponsored the meals and provided gifts to those who come to Beautiful Feet Ministries (formerly recognized as Loaves and Fishes) at 1709 E. Hattie in Fort Worth.
Beautiful Feet is a source for the needy and homeless, as well as providing free spiritual advice and services to their attendees.
In addition to other volunteers, the B’nai B’rith contingent arrives early at Beautiful Feet to prepare and serve breakfast and lunch to those in attendance. Typically, between 100 and 200 attend for breakfast and 200 to 300 attend for lunch. Those who sign up after breakfast and stay through lunch are also provided clothing, toiletries, and gifts for their children, and themselves.
In the past, gift bags were provided to the 100 to 300 attendees.
The volunteers for Beautiful Feet have grown through the years — both Christians and Jews — for the breakfast crew and gift bag sorting, packaging and dispersing. This year there were 25 volunteers for the breakfast crew and about 90 for the gift sort and packaging according to Marvin Beleck. Through the years, Jeff Hochster, of Panhandle Slim in Fort Worth, has donated men’s and women’s clothing. St. Michael’s Church in Bedford, Texas, donates many toys, youth clothing and children’s gift items from their annual Christmas tree giving. Stadium Drive Baptist Church in Fort Worth donates toiletry bags (this year numbering 200).
Marvin Brozgold, of the Pancake House, has donated gravy for all the turkey served at lunchtime.
Having attended every Christmas Day for the past 22 years, during the past 10 years Marvin Beleck, a past B’nai B’rith lodge president, has coordinated the Christmas Day volunteers and event at Beautiful Feet. They get volunteers from Ahavath Sholom Synagogue, Beth-El Congregation, and Chabad in Fort Worth; Beth Shalom in Arlington, and Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, who this year sent 22 volunteers.
The current president of B’nai B’rith, Harry Kahn, has been the chief cook and supervises the kitchen in preparing complete meals for breakfast and lunch, along with the other regulars. There is a group of regulars who arrive at 7 a.m. and start preparations for the meals.
Jim Stanton has joined in to help in the gift and clothing distribution.
B’nai B’rith always runs short of men’s and women’s clothing — whether it be blankets, underwear, pants or coats. If you can provide any new or gently used articles of clothing, please contact Marvin Beleck for the 2015 Christmas Day mitzvahs at Beautiful Feet. His email is: marvinbeleck@aol.com. They would be greatly appreciated.

The Cliburn is coming to Daytimers

Cliburn President and CEO Jacques Marquis will speak about the history and world standing of the Cliburn, including the Cliburn International Piano Competition at noon, Wednesday, Jan. 14.
He will also describe new local and international outreach initiatives that are soon to come for The Cliburn. Marquis’ talk will include a PowerPoint presentation including music videos that illustrate typical Cliburn activities.
After a question and answer session, Marquis will give a live performance.
As always the monthly Daytimers event begins with lunch, which will be catered by Ming Wok this time around. Choices are chicken chow mein, beef fried rice or tofu with mixed vegetables For reservations phone Larry Steckler with your credit card at 817-927-2736 or 520-990-3155. Cost is $9 for lunch or $5 for the program only. Be sure to include your zip code and security code if leaving a message.
Future Daytimers events include bridge at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20 in the Beth-El Great Hall and a trip to the Fort Worth Science Museum Wednesday, Feb. 11. For bridge reservations, contact Bill Margolis at 817-292-0798. All other questions should be directed to Larry Steckler. The Sylvia Wolens Jewish Daytimers is a program of Beth-El Congregation with support from the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

Basketball film sure to score at SHOWTIMES Film Series

The community is invited to attend the next installment of the SHOWTIMES Film Series at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 18 at Congregation Ahavath Sholom. The fourth film in its 2014-2015 series, “The First Basket” is a documentary about the historic American Jewish influence on basketball.
The documentary that provides plenty of context (thanks to interviews with scholars of Jewish history), and is great fun to watch.
This film will be sponsored by the Congregation Ahavath Sholom Men’s Club, who will serve complimentary hot dogs as well as the usual popcorn and cold drinks. The 2014-2015 SHOWTIMES Series films have been carefully chosen to interest everyone. There is no cost, and the films are Ahavath Sholom’s gift to the community.
A special “thank you” to the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County for supporting the CAS 2014-2015 SHOWTIMES Film Series.
Hats off to the SHOWTIMES committee members Liz Chesser, Hedy Collins, Kim Goldberg, Stephen Karten, Lisa Laudato, Foster Owen, Jane Guzman Pawgan, Debby Rice, Reggie Rog, Jayna Sosland, Jim Stansbury, Sheila Stocker, Roz Vaden, Men’s Club President Sonny Brister and Congregation Ahavath Sholom President Ebi Lavi.
For more information please call Congregation Ahavath Sholom at 817-731-4721.