By Amy Wolff Sorter
awsorter@yahoo.com
Unless you’ve been in hiding for the past several weeks, you’ve no doubt realized that we’re coming up on a pretty special time — a time of shpiels, happiness, fun and stories about courage.
I am, of course, talking about my upcoming visit to California to visit my mother.
Well, not really, though I will unfortunately miss all of the wonderful Purim celebrations taking place throughout Tarrant County (I’ll catch a couple on the West Coast instead).
With one of the mitzvahs at this time of year to listen to a reading (or two, or three) of the Megillah, there is no shortage of opportunities to do so.
I’ve written about these programs during the past couple of weeks and our calendar section also has a complete listing of events, shpiels, carnivals, festivals, services., etc., etc., etc., etc., from which you can choose.
And if you go, or are participating, SEND PHOTOS. I’d love to run them in an upcoming edition of “Around the Town.” I am, as always, at awsorter@yahoo.com. Please make sure the people in the photos are well-identified (and that the event is also identified) and the resolution is high enough for print.
May your groggers be loud, may your time be filled with joy and may this year’s celebrations be filled with festivities, laughter and celebration.
Thank you, Rabbi Bloom
I wanted to pass along something I received from Rabbi Andrew Bloom, spiritual leader at Congregation Ahavath Sholom. It was a “blast” e-mail, directed toward parents of children in the Fort Worth Independent School District, and it concerned issues pertaining to tests, sports, band activities and excused absences during the High Holy Days.
Rabbi Bloom explained that, in a recent meeting of multi-faith clergy and Fort Worth’s mayor, Betsey Price, he brought up this issue, and was rewarded with a positive letter from Sylvia R. Reyna, who heads up the FWISD.
The upshot of this is that the rabbi and administrator will meet further to discuss this and other religious issues. By the time I pen my next column, that meeting will have taken place, and I’ll hopefully have an update to share with you.
Those of us in Johnson County also have our issues. There have been, for example, a couple of times during which members of our family have had to gently remind those who conduct invocations at sporting events that students of all faiths are present. I’ve heard from a couple of other outlier families that they’ve had to do the same thing.
Tying this in to Purim, we know what can happen if we decide to remain silent about our heritage. This is why I’m cheered at what Rabbi Bloom did … and that he received such a positive response.
JWI meeting is March 7
If you missed Dr. Carole Rogers at the WRJ brunch, there is another opportunity to hear her speak on issues faced by seniors on March 7 at Beth El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road.
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. and a light breakfast will be served. Everybody is welcome.
Call Ina Singer, 817-292-1580 if you have questions.
Daytimers swing into Spring …
The next meet will be at noon on March 14 at Beth-El Congregation. Attendees will get to enjoy a swing dance demo by Chandler Smith (with TCU) and Angelia Williams (with Thurston Energy).
More importantly, this duo has taught dance together for six years and have taught workshops on swing cruises.
Lunch is available (Pak-a-Pocket is catering this month); the cost is $9 if you want lunch, $4 if not.
Interested? Contact Barbara Rubin at 817-927-2736, Hugh Lamensdorf at 817-738-1428 or visit www.bethelfw.org/donations.
On the business scene …
Mazel tov to Stuart J. Isgure who was recently named 2011 Fort Worth Agent of the Year by New York Life Insurance Agency.