By Sharon Wisch-Ray
Fifty Hadassah members from the State of Texas traveled to Austin and on Monday, Feb. 9 met with Speaker of the House Joe Straus, State Senator Chuy Hinojosa from the Rio Grande Valley, State Senator Rodney Ellis from Houston, State Representative Craig Goldman from Fort Worth and other state and local officials.
They discussed U.S.-Israel relations and domestic policy issues such as women’s health concerns, countering human trafficking, and affordable child care with top government officials.
The Date with the State program equips Hadassah volunteers with the most current information they need to be effective citizen activists. The program also helps to bring the collective voice of Hadassah to key influential leaders.
Debby Rice tells me that ourtowner and State Representative Craig Goldman (R-District 97) gave everyone once-in-a-lifetime insights into the inner workings of state government.
On Sunday night Rep. Goldman spoke to the group and answered as many questions as were posed to him. He met up with the delegation at the Capitol Monday morning.
Rep. Goldman secured a special room for the meeting — the old Supreme Courtroom upstairs in the capitol, according to Debby. He escorted the whole group to the House floor and spent about an hour showing everyone around, and sharing the back stories of about this and that: desks, photos, light fixtures… you name it.
In an email, Debby wrote that “he just exudes love for the building and what he is doing, for the participants. He is so positive in everything he says.” Debby forecasts a bright political career for Goldman beyond Austin. “He is truly good at what he is doing,” she enthused.
Free loans from TCHFLA
The Tarrant County Hebrew Free Loan Association is looking for qualified borrowers.
Funds can be used to pay for a bar or bat mitzvah, books for school, bridge loan, camp, high interest debt consolidation, medical payment, medication, nursing home payment, rent or utilities bills, school tuition, trip to Israel and other needs.
TCHFLA offers qualified Jewish community members a no-interest loan up to $3,500. Borrowers must be at least 18 years old, reside in Tarrant County, and have one or two co-signers — preferably Jewish members in the DFW area — who will be required to have a credit check and capable of repayment if loan is defaulted by borrower.
Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must meet the TCHFLA lending guidelines and qualify through the application process. All requests are kept confidential between the borrower and the TCHFLA advisory board.
For further information about the Tarrant County Hebrew Free Loan Association and qualifications for the NO-INTEREST loans, please check the TCHFLA website at www.tchfla.org or email tchfla@yahoo.com.
Members of the TCHFLA board include David Bekerman, chair; Lynell Bond, vice chair; Jackie Bzostek, Robert Chicotsky, Marty Goldsmith, Susan Luskey, Lisa Moses, David Nudelman, Marcy Paul, Carole Rogers (ex officio), Marc Sloter, and Cheryl J. Visosky. The mailing address is 4750 Bryant Irvin Road, Ste. 808 (PMB# 206) Fort Worth, TX 76132.
White Elephant Auction at Beth Shalom
Congregation Beth Shalom will hold a white elephant auction at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28.
Invite your friends and be prepared to have a fabulous, fun, frolicking evening at this “fun(d) raising event,” says Stuart Snow.
Everyone should bring at least one item that is wrapped. You can use your imagination to do that using gift wrap, comics or whatever you think will make your gift item appealing. The more gifts, the more fun the event. Items can be fun, useful, provocative, creative, gently used (within reason) or new and valued at $10.
Fun-loving auctioneer Randy San Antonio will start the bidding at only $1 per gift. Please respond to the Beth Shalom office, 817 860-5448, by Feb. 20 if you plan to attend. There is no charge for the event (just bring gifts) and dessert and coffee will be served. Only cash and checks will be accepted for auction items.
Another plug for Maccabi Games
I’m told that a couple of kids have tried out and made teams for the Maccabi Games which will be held in Dallas in August. The JCC is making a big push over the next couple of weeks as they wind up tryouts. Since they would be competing as members of Team Dallas, I’m told that there are an unlimited number of spots available in the individual sports.
To see the tryout schedule, visit dallasmaccabi.org. If you have questions, call Matt Rowland at the JCC, 214-239-7147.
In addition, there are still a number of $750 scholarships available for Tarrant County kids who want to participate in the games. For more information, contact Bob Goldberg, 817-569-0892.