USYers enjoy Cowtown hospitality
Fort Worth was host to the Southwest Region of United Synagogue Youth’s (SWUSY) 51st Regional Convention. Over 85 teens and staff gathered at the Crowne Plaza Fort Worth last month for the convention. USYers explored Jewish values through the work of Dr. Seuss, elected new officers, took in the sights of downtown Fort Worth and enjoyed some delicious gelato along the way. USYers volunteered at the Ahavath Sholom Cemetery, took a tour through the “Natural Museum of Jewish History” and met the Last American Jew. Spending Shabbat together was incredibly special, and of course, senior speeches were a highlight along with banquet and the viewing of the SWUSY Year in Review! Thank you to all of the USYers and staff that helped in making the convention truly memorable – it was a wonderful weekend and Shabbat. Word is that the Ahavath Sholom crew were the “hosts with the mosts” and welcomed their peers from around the region.
Shul elects new officers
Congregation Ahavath Sholom held its annual congregational meeting on Sunday, June 5. At the meeting, the congregation held elections for officers and new directors. Continuing as officers for the 2011-12 term are: Marvin Beleck, president; Dr. Murray Cohen, 1st vice president; Ebrahim Lavi, 2nd vice president; Dr. Nancy Faigin, 3rd vice president; Edwin Bond, treasurer; Naomi Rosenfield, secretary; Stuart Isgur, parliamentarian. Directors elected for a three-year term: Michael Schwanz, J.R. Faigin, Aaron Levy and Hal Ratner. Directors continuing their terms: Irwin Blum, Suzanne Herman, David Saul, Rick Savitz, Jodi Berger, Elsie Blum, Harry Labovitz and Andres Zapata. At the meeting, the congregation approved the contract for the hiring of Rabbi Andrew Bloom as the next rabbi of the congregation. He will begin on August 1.
Other Ahavath Sholom news
The Ahavath Sholom confirmation students celebrated their confirmation this past Friday night with a Shabbat dinner at the shul followed by an 8 p.m. Shabbat service led by Rabbi Gary Perras and the confirmation students. An elegant Oneg Shabbat, sponsored by their families, was prepared and served by Elsie Blum and the members of the catering committee. On the following Monday, June 13, the students left for a trip to New York City where their teachers, Melissa Morgan and David Saul, introduced them first hand to the Jewish tastes, sights and sounds of the historic “Big Apple.” Follow their progress by going to the education page of the Congregation Ahavath Sholom Web site and clicking on “2011 NYC Trip.” Ahavath Sholom confirmands and their parents are: Sarah Alpert (Karen and Richard Alpert); Jerome (Jerry) Berger (Jodi and Scott Berger); Emily Derozier (Arlene and Greg Derozier); Aaron Eckles (Daina and Daniel Eckles); Bree Goodman (Rhonda and Ken Goodman); Benjamin (Benjy) Karten (Mona and Steve Karten); Alexander Max Landy (Linda and Bill Landy); Dorie Kaye (Valerie and Stephen Kaye); Elizabeth (Lizzy) Michan (Marina and Rafael Michan); Meagan Moses (Lisa and Shayne Moses); and Courtney Smith (Annette and Mitchell Smith). Mazel tov to the confirmands and their families.
On June 18, the Temple Beth-El choir, under the direction of Monica Braverman, will perform during the Kiddush luncheon at Ahavath Sholom following the Saturday morning service. On Saturday, June 25, Congregation Ahavath Sholom will honor Rabbi Gary Perras with a special birthday Kiddush luncheon after services.
Beth-El confirmands
Congregation Beth-El held its Confirmation Service on May 6 during Shabbat services. Confirmands and their parents are Pauline Bronstein (Antonia and Dale Bronstein); Jessie Brow (Jackie Brow and Jim Brow); Joshua Cristol (Rebecca and Louis Cristol); Hailie Hartman (Michelle and Cory Hartman); Lauren Pinto (Renee and Kirk Pinto); Emily Shelby (Erika and Scott Shelby); Cooper Simon (Sherry and Rick Simon); Adam Uptegraft (Susie and Jim Benson); and Ty Webb (Kelly and John Webb).
Mazel tov graduates
Congratulations to the following graduates and their parents: Kaitlyn Rubin, daughter of Gwen and Barry Rubin, who is graduating from Paschal High School; Isaac Siegel, son of Nancy and Aaron Siegel, who is graduating from Country Day School and will attend the University of Denver in the fall; Andrew Blumberg, son of Charna and Dan Blumberg, who is graduating from Duke University Law School and will go to work for a firm in New York City; Geoffrey Urbach, son of Michael Urbach, who graduated from the University of Texas in December; Randee and Jeff Kaitcer are doubly blessed: Randee’s daughter Rachel Romano is graduating from Baylor Law School, and her daughter Rebecca Romano is graduating from UT Austin and will attend UT Dallas for graduate school; Brett Moses, son of Rochelle and Buddy Moses, who is graduating from NYU; Elana Levy, daughter of Phyllis and Sheldon Levy, who is graduating from Stephen F. Austin University with an RN, BSN in nursing; Sari Hochberger, daughter of Marilyn McGee, who is graduating from Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience and will pursue a pediatric residency in the fall. Send your graduate’s news to sharonw@texasjewishpost.com.