By Amy Wolff Sorter
awsorter@yahoo.com
On Monday night, I watched one of my favorite TV shows, “2 Broke Girls.” The premise of this sitcom is that two lower-income waitresses (one a former heiress) are working toward building a cupcake business. The reason I got a chuckle out of the Monday episode however, was because the waitresses made cupcakes for a young boy’s bar mitzvah; the family was clearly observant.
The “clash of cultures” subtext was funny enough, but on a personal level, the episode made me chuckle, not the least of which was because it reminded me of the somewhat blue language my then 10-year-old son picked up while attending Camp Gan Israel/South Padre Island in 2007 (sometimes the phrase “nice Jewish boy” is a misnomer, I’m thinking).
It also reminded me to remind you that I want to start offering congratulations and mazel to sons and daughters of the covenant in Tarrant County and surrounding environs. One of our contributing writers, Deb Silverthorn, does a terrific job with b’nai mitzvot on the Dallas side, writing articles about these young men and women and their achievements. In that spirit, I’m offering space in this column to highlight Tarrant County bar and bat mitzvahs (as well as those in Johnson County). If any of your sons and daughters (or grandsons, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, etc., etc., etc.) are going to observe their bar or bat mitzvahs, please send that information along, as well as photos. The address, as always, is awsorter@yahoo.com.
Congratulations, Corrine
Corrine Jacobson wrote us explaining that she had recovered from her second major surgery in seven months (ugh) — but that’s not why the congratulations. While recuperating from that surgery, Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price sent along a Certificate of Recognition for all the good things Corrine has done on behalf of Cowtown. The list is long; she’s volunteered at the Fort Worth Convention Bureau, Bass Hall and at the Visitor’s Center at the Fort Worth Stockyards. She’s been a mainstay at Beth-El Congregation, donating generously of her time, as well as taking on leadership positions in the Fort Worth chapter of the Daughters of Abraham. “This was a most welcome greeting during my recuperation,” she writes, and yes, it is — but you clearly have earned it. Along those lines, Corrine thanks everyone for their cards and good wishes during her recuperation. We’ll add ours as well — may you continue to receive God’s blessings and healing.
Meanwhile, at Edohana Hibachi
Hedy Collins with Jewish Family Service e-mailed something that made me very hungry. The Jewish Family Service Senior program traveled to the above-mentioned Edohana Hibachi Japanese restaurant in the Cityview area last week, and from what she writes, everyone had a good time watching master chefs flip eggs into their hats and make onion volcanoes. Also on the menu was Japanese-style chicken and salmon. Yum.
Kudos to volunteers and chaperones Adele Arensberg, Gail Berlin and Robin Stein for helping with this outing. Hedy also wanted to pass along her thanks to Martin Smith for his purchase of hamentaschen from the Congregation Ahavath Sholom Ladies Auxiliary on behalf of the Senior Program. “His donation will make one giant mishloach manot basket for the participants,” Hedy writes, “thank you so much, Marty!”
Travelling Light
No, this isn’t about how to take trips. Rather, it’s the title of a new play by Nicholas Wright. The play is onstage now at National’s Lyttelton Theatre. The good news, however, is that it’s been filmed and is being shown, via satellite, today at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The story itself centers around Motl Mendi, circa 1900, who moves from his Eastern European roots to become a famous American film director. The three-hour broadcast also features behind-the-scenes footage as well as interviews with the artists. Tickets are $20. If you can’t make it today and are still interested, the broadcast will also take place Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. the Angelika Theater in Dallas and Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Angelika Theater in Plano.
Tzedakah Sunday reminder
If you pick up your phone this Sunday, Feb. 26 and the person on the other end introduces himself/herself as calling on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, please give the caller your courteous attention and, if you are able, pledge some funds. Many of the community activities I mention in this column are funded through the Federation.
The Federation could also use some volunteer help this Sunday as well. Callers and support volunteers are being asked to work one of three shifts at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 S. Hulen St. in Fort Worth: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you’re able to help, call the Federation at 817-569-0892 or contact Tzedakah Sunday chair Cindy Simon at c.simon@tarrantfederation.org.
Get your grogger on
I’ll have more Purim-centric information in next week’s column, but for now, mark the following in your calendars:
Chabad of Arlington will offer a couple of pre-Purim events, the first being a women’s night out, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 1, during which the discussion will focus on Kabbalah of the Hamantasch and the activity will include an interactive dessert demo with Sherlock Spice. Wine and dessert will be served, with suggested donations at $15 per person. Sponsorships are also available for $36. A few days later, on Tuesday, March 6, Coffee and Kabbalah will focus on the mysticism behind Purim. All activities will take place at 2136 Lindblad Court in Arlington. Also taking place there, on March 8, will be Purim in China.
The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County with help from the Dan Danciger/Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation is actively looking for volunteers to help with its upcoming Purim Carnival, which will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, at Congregation Beth Israel, 6100 Pleasant Run Rd. in Colleyville. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Stephanie at Beth Israel by emailing her at cbiadministration@gmail.com. Now, the event itself will feature a lot of fun stuff — cake walks, pie-tosses, bounce houses, prizes, games, costume contests … you get the idea. So volunteer your time and/or come out to enjoy the fun!
Moving ahead to March 7, Congregation Ahavath Sholom will host its Purim Extravaganza beginning at 6 p.m. at 4050 S. Hulen Rd. The Purimshpiel presented was written, directed and produced by Louise Vermillion and will feature CAS’ religious school’s all-star cast. Costume contests, food and a parade will also be presented. For more information call 817-731-4721.
Getting back to Arlington, Congregation Beth Shalom will present the “Great American Purim Play” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 7 at the synagogue, 1212 Thannisch St. The nine-sketch play was penned by Emmy-Award-winning writer Richard J. Allen (author of “Parashah Plays” and a writer for “As the World Turns”) and takes Esther and Mordecai, Haman and Ahasuerus through the prism of time, giving the Megillah a different twist. The event is open to the community and a hamantaschen party will follow. Questions? Call 817-860-5448.
And at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, Chabad of Fort Worth and Tarrant County will host “Purim and Persia,” complete with fun and food prepared by Jacob Kohannim, the former owner of Marsala Restaurant in Grand Prairie. Tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for kiddos and the event will take place at 5659 Woodway Dr. For more information call 817-263-7701.