By Sharon Wisch-Ray

Growing up in Cowtown, a highlight of my year was the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Attending was a tradition for my dad and me with new Western threads to boot.
I’ve tried my best to continue the tradition with my own boys and was taken aback a bit by the invocation the first time I took them when the public address announcer prayed for the contestants’ safety in Jesus’ name.
I’m not sure if I forgot about this as a child or, more likely, we were late to most performances and missed the invocation.
This year the rodeo has started a new tradition, with representatives of different faiths delivering opening prayers for safety. As you can read on Page 3 of this week’s issue. Congregation Ahavath Sholom Rabbi Andrew Bloom will deliver the first Jewish prayer at the rodeo.
This will truly be an historic day for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo as well as the Tarrant County Jewish community.

8Over80

Fort Worth’s Beth-El Congregation will be honoring eight inspirational leaders who have exemplified a strong commitment to the Temple and the larger Jewish community over the decades through their contributions of time, talent and resources. The honorees are Kenneth Baum, Edwin Cohen, Edythe Cohen, Corrine Jacobson, Marcia Kurtz, Rosalyn Rosenthal, Paul Schwartz and Evelyn Siegel. The event Saturday evening, April 18, will truly be a multigenerational celebration.
In the spirit of friendship you, too, can recognize all of these eight honorees or whomever individually you so choose. There are several giving level commitments available for recognition in a special Tribute Book. A personal ad can be submitted, and donation gifts accepted in tribute to the honoree’s accomplishments. Deadline for placement of ads in the Tribute Book is no later than March 1.
More event information can be found at bethelfw.org, under the tab “8Over80.” You can even find examples of sample ads. Any questions? Please contact Diane Kleinman at dkleinman@sbcglobal.net or 817-346-8980. Your gift makes a huge difference.

Join the choir

Rehearsals are underway for Congregation Ahavath Sholom’s Adult Choir and Cantor Shoshana Abrams Kaikov tells me there’s still time to join in the fun.
In February the choir will be rehearsing for its Purim and citywide program. Dates are Mondays, Feb. 16, 23, March 2 and March 9. All rehearsals begin at 6:15 p.m. and will last 45 minutes to an hour.
The Purim celebration is slated for 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, and the citywide celebration will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19.
For more information contact Cantor Shoshana Abrams Kaikov at cantor.abrams@ahavathsholom.org