It’s never to soon to start thinking about Elul
Much of what’s been written during this past month has been about the month of Av, and appropriately so. Tisha b’Av represents one of the more catastrophic events in our history. However, we’re nearing the end of Av; Rosh Chodesh Elul occurs Wed., Aug. 31. What’s so important about Elul? Elul is the gateway to the most important holidays of the year; the High Holy Days, the Days of Awe. One rabbi I knew likened Elul to a period of preparation, both mentally and spiritually, before heading into a period of atonement, prayer and thought.
How do you use Elul, if you do, to prepare for the High Holidays? Please send me your thoughts — I’m at awsorter@yahoo.com.
Mazel tov and ‘wow!’ to Isaac
Isaac Narrett will soon be a bar mitzvah. That’s where the “mazel tov” comes in. But the “wow” factor concerns his bar mitzvah project which, in my humble opinion, shows some really creative out-of-the-box thinking. He could have gone the route of food drives or volunteering, both of which are worthy activities. Instead, Isaac is hosting a chess tournament on Sun., Oct. 15 at Beth-El to benefit the Jewish National Fund Trees for Israel. This is a “non-rated” tournament, and beginners to advanced players of all ages are welcome to turn out (sponsors are certainly welcome as well). Yours truly will follow up with a more comprehensive story in the next few weeks, but any questions should be directed to Marcy Paul, 817-921-9204 or Isaac at Isaac.narrett@gmail.com.
Welcome, Etta!
Or should I say “welcome back and forth?” Etta Korenman arrived here from Israel at the end of June and, as she put it, “we have been running ever since.” Husband Michael Korenman, a general surgeon in Fort Worth, earned his fifth degree Black Belt in American Karate, Tai Kwando and Shizen Na — Etta says anyone now needing surgery can refer to him as “Master-Doctor Korenman.”
Earlier this month, Etta and the local Korenmans headed to Atlanta, Ga. for a reunion of the Joseph side of the family. Georgia is where Etta’s brother Stan and wife Carol live, as well as children Jason and Erin, who used to visit Fort Worth to attend Camp Shalom.
Also at Beth-El
Ina Singer, with the local chapter of Jewish Women International, reminds us that the group’s opening meeting will take place at 10 a.m., Sept. 7 at Beth-El. Guest speaker will be Dave Lieber, the Fort Worth Star Telegram’s “watch dog” reporter, whose topic will be scamming. Ina says this is a good program for those over 60 years of age. My thought is that it’s a good program for anyone, as we’re all victims to potential scammers. In short, no matter your age, if you need more information, contact Ina at 817-292-1580.
Calling all shofar players
Congregation Ahavath Sholom is on the hunt for men, women and children to join its Shofar Corps for the High Holy Day services. Membership of the Corps requires attendance at three out of four 15-minute rehearsals. Rehearsals are scheduled for noon on Sundays, Sept. 11, 18 and 25, and at 6:30 p.m., Tues., Sept. 20, following minyan. Shofar Corps members must bring their own shofars to rehearsals (CAS has shofars for sale through the office, ranging in price from $30 to $50). Want to participate? Call CAS’ office at 817-731-4721.
Celebrating the great outdoors with Grease!
On Sun., Sept 4, the Beth-El parking lot will become an outdoor summer cinema, complete with a giant movie screen, terrific sound system and a collection of 1950s classic cars. But that’s not all — attendees will be treated to the PG-13 movie “Grease” (preceded, I’m told, by an age-appropriate 1950s cartoon). This annual family event is free, thanks to underwriting by the B’nai B’rith Isadore Garsek Lodge No. 269. The event is chaired by Jim and Elaine Stanton.
“While the days of drive-in movie theaters are mostly gone, we still enjoy the experience of outdoor flicks,” writes Harry Kahn, president of the Tarrant County B’nai B’rith lodge. “There’s nothing like sitting outside with friends on a balmy summer night with the stars twinkling overhead and a great movie on a large screen. We are very excited that we will once again be able to bring the entire Tarrant County Jewish community together for this unique and fun event.”
The movies start at 8 p.m., with the fun beginning before that with music and a tailgating party. Concessions are available beginning at 7:30 p.m., with BBYO teens selling soft drinks, bottled water, popcorn and glow necklaces — all for $1. All proceeds are being used to support BBYO activities. Viewers are advised to bring lawn chairs, and in the event of inclement weather (we should be so lucky) or excessive heat, the event will move inside. Need more information? Call the Movie Hotline at 817-927-2555.
Daytimers and the path of Kahn (with apologies to Star Trek)
Barbara Rubin has been doing an excellent job of keeping us up to date on what’s going on with the group’s upcoming tour to the “Genghis Kahn: The Exhibition” exhibit at the Irving Art Center, scheduled for Sept. 14.
This looks like a really cool exhibit, complete with more than 200 artifacts such as jewelry, robes, weaponry and mummies from Genghis Khan’s Mongolia. But this exhibit is more than going and gawking at a bunch of arrows or clothes. Upon entry into the exhibit, attendees are given particular identities (princess, Mongol, warrior or even horse) and as they travel through the exhibit, interactive screens describe how those particular identities lived during Kahn’s time.
I wrote about this last week, and Barbara told me a couple of days ago that there were only 17 spaces remaining (this number could have decreased even further since then).
The group will meet at the Intermodal Transportation center at noon and will travel via TRE and DART to the Arts Center. Cost for transportation, lunch (catered by Subway) and admission is $20, or $15 if you want to bring your own lunch. Reservations are ABSOLUTELY necessary and as mentioned above, spaces are going fast. For information call Barbara Rubin at 817-927-2736, mail your check to Beth-El, 4900 Briarhaven Rd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109 or log onto www.bethelfw.org/donations to register.
Update on Johnson County Jews
Every time I put something into this column, I receive another e-mail from yet another Johnson County Jew. I’m gratified to realize that there are more of these “outliers” than I previously believed. The latest, lovely response comes from Gay Wynns of Burleson, who tells me there are others dotted around southern Tarrant County and Johnson County. I’m cheered by this response. Furthermore, it’s driven me to say, right here in print, that we’ll schedule a get-together of Johnson County and southern Tarrant County Jews on a Sunday in late October (after the High Holidays, of course, and depending on the Cowboys’ football schedule). As soon as I can get my act together, I’ll put more information here. Thank you all, again, for getting in touch … and keep those messages coming!
Have a story or a thought? You can find me at awsorter@yahoo.com. Until next time …