By Amy Wolff Sorter
Every so often, we hear about a play or musical with a strong Jewish theme. And, being the Jewish newspaper of record in North Texas, we’ll occasionally cover that play or musical with a background piece.
In that spirit, we say Casa Manana’s Apprentice Program cooked up something interesting this year: A performance of the musical “Parade,” which will run July 27-29.
The musical was written by Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown, and is a dramatization of the 1913 trial of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager in Atlanta who was convicted of raping Mary Phagan, a 13-year-old employee. This is a somewhat odd topic on which to base a musical, but the show won several Tony and Drama Desk awards.
At any rate, it’s impressive that the Apprentice Program is taking the brave step to examine this particular slice of history (as it deals with racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and a whole host of other issues). Look for a more in-depth article about this particular production in an upcoming issue.
Speaking of theater
Kids Who Care gave a special performance for those in attendance on July 11 at the monthly Daytimers’ meeting. All who attended had a great time — and we have the pictures to prove it. Incidentally, the full show, “Bridge to Freedom,” will be performed July 26-29 at the W.E. Scott Theatre, 3505 W. Lancaster Ave. in Fort Worth.
And speaking of artifacts
Last week, it was mentioned that the Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth opened its “Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures,” which will run through the middle of January, 2013.
It seems as though Congregation Ahavath Sholom is also brushing up an artifact. Though it isn’t thousands of years old, much like the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Golden Book is an interesting history of Jews in Fort Worth and those affiliated with CAS.
The Golden Book, created in 1926 at Jerusalem’s Bezalel School of Arts and Design at a cost of $500, has an ivory and bronze cover and parchment pages. For $250, benefactors’ names were placed on those pages, which contained background images of CAS’ Taylor Street location, as well as the Hebrew Institute, which at one time contained Ahavath Sholom’s Talmud Torah, gymnasium, kitchen and auditorium.
The Golden Book was used as a fund-raising tool, with those funds intended to underwrite a free Jewish education for Fort Worth youth.
The Golden Book is still in use (Diana Krompass now inscribes names on the pages). With only 63 pages of the 250-page book being used, there is room for plenty more. Furthermore, woodworking expert Mike Reznikoff plans to refurbish the mahogany cabinet in which the Golden Book rests and have it ready by the High Holy Days.
The cost of refinishing this historic piece will be covered by donations from the local B’nai B’rith lodge, the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, CAS’ board of directors and Jewish Women International.
As CAS prepares for its 120th anniversary, it’s fitting that this “artifact” be placed in a refreshed case.
Happy birthday!
In July, we celebrate (America’s independence) and we mourn (Tish B’Av). We also take time to issue birthday wishes to the following. If I missed anyone, please let me know.
Karen Alpert, Harriet Anton, Harry Bailin, Donna Beckman, Nathan Berman, Izzy Bloomberg, Marshall Brachman, Sherryl Clark, Sheila Cooper, Reuben Cristol, Katrina Diaz, Sandra Freed, Joyce Gerrick, Gary Howard, Ruthie Hamill, Marilyn Hyer, Suzanne Herman, Benjamin Isgur, Avraham Kaikov, Mordecai Kaikov, Stephen Karten, Tobi Kestenberg, Marcia Kurtz, Linda Landy, William Landy, Anna Lax, Carmen Lederman, Aaron Levy, Melissa Morgan, Rita Myers, Lisa Neuman, Peggy Norris-Louis, Carol Paul, Don Peska, Nancy Rakoover, Tammie Rhinehart, Carole Rogers, Neil Rosenzweig, Barbara Rubin, Maxine Schwartz, Dmitriy Shturman, Daniel Tirsun, Florence Weisblatt, Paul Weisblatt, Cookie Wise, Rachel Yaacobi, Yoseph Yaacobi and Daniel Zeilicovich.
It’s not too late …
… to give blood. But spots are going fast at Congregation Beth Israel’s blood drive, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at 6100 Pleasant Run Road in Colleyville. For information, call 817-581-5500 or email administration@congregationbethisrael.org.
And finally
We’re still seeking news. If you just got back from a really cool vacation, or got together with relatives locally, let us know. Drop a line to awsorter@yahoo.com.