Commemoration of 9/11

An interfaith memorial service to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11 will take place at 4 p.m., Sun., Sept. 11 at Good Shepherd Catholic Community Parish Hall, 1000 Tinker Rd. in Colleyville. The service will include prayers, reflection and discussions about how to best honor those who died on 9/11. Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Beth Israel, Jewish Community Relations Council of Tarrant County, Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County and Jewish War Veterans, Post #755 will take their part with other organizations including the Colleyville Fire Department, various Baha’i communities, Colleyville’s First United Methodist Church, the Islamic Association of the Mid-Cities and, of course, Good Shepherd itself. For more information, contact Sandra Lydick at Good Shepherd at 817-421-1387 or sandralydick@crimevictimscouncil.org. Childcare is available.

Last chance!

There are still some spots for the Daytimers’ upcoming Sept. 14 trip to “Genghis Kahn: The Exhibition” at the Irving Art Center. The group will meet at the Intermodal Transportation center at noon and will travel via TRE and DART to the Arts Center. Lunch will be catered by Subway. The cost is $20, or $15 for those who prefer to bring their own lunch. Incidentally, I owe an apology to Barbara Rubin for putting the wrong cost in last week’s issue — the one listed HERE is correct. To reserve your spot, call Barbara at 817- 927-2736; mail your check to Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76109; or log onto www.bethelfw.org/donations.

An early “happy birthday” to Congregation Ahavath Sholom

Hollace Ava Weiner tells us that CAS’ 120th anniversary is a year away. In honor of this very auspicious occasion, the Fort Worth Jewish Archives has photos and mementos on display that tell the story of both CAS and of the Fort Worth Jewish community’s history. Hollis tells us that CAS’ foyer contains earliest congregational mementos, including original minutes books (hand-written in Yiddish, no less), a hand-made tefillin and a 1915 program describing a “gymnasium demonstration” presented at the Hebrew Institute by the Young Women’s Hebrew Association. Another display case offers “Dolls for Democracy” and outside the library is an exhibit about weddings and ketubot.
I certainly “smell” a feature story within the next year concerning CAS, and will be in touch with the folks there to chat about the shul’s history and its impact on the Fort Worth Jewish community. However, I’d like to hear from Tarrant County readers about their own history. Did your grandparents or great-grandparents settle in Fort Worth? Where did they come from? How deep do your roots go? Please send me your stories during the next several months and I’ll be glad to mention them in “Around the Town.”

Brush up on your Hebrew

Beth-El Congregation is offering a beginning Hebrew class for those who have little (or no) previous exposure to the language. The course will focus on basic vocabulary and reading, and simple conversation. Rachel Yaacobi is the instructor. Classes will take place 10:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Sun. Sept. 11 in the shul boardroom at 4900 Briarhaven Rd. For more information, call 817-332-7141 or e-mail Beth-El education director Ilana Knust at ilanaknust@bethelfw.org.

A High Holy Day primer

Chabad of Fort Worth and Tarrant County will present a two-part holiday primer to help participants prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. The series takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 14 and Sept. 21 at 5659 Woodway Dr. in Fort Worth. Learn about the customs, observances and traditions that help make these particular celebrations so special. The event is free and open to the public, though contributions are always welcome. For more information call 817-263-7701.

An update on Rhoda Stryer

I learned from Debbie Stryer-Levine and Fredi Stryer (through Carol Minker) that their mom, Rhoda Styer, had been admitted to Harris Methodist Downtown’s cardiac unit on Aug. 19 for difficulties with congestive heart failure. Rhoda is home now with Fredi and Debbie writes that being out of the hospital has helped. Please send your prayers and healing thoughts to the Stryers.