By Amy Wolff Sorter

In this issue is an article about the Rosh Hashanah seder. In doing some research about the concept and chatting with Rabbi Zecharia Sionit at the Sephardic Torah Center of Dallas, I became very impressed with this particular tradition.
Though better-known among Sephardic communities, some Ashkenazi communities also are taking up the ritual. Rather than bringing about positive intentions that might be somewhat difficult to visualize in building a successful year, the Rosh Hashanah seder provides blessings and foods to help put a physical aspect to our spiritual desires.

Congratulations go to…

Hollace Weiner, our well-known Fort Worth Jewish historian, is being honored by Historic Fort Worth Inc. with its Preservation Achievement Award for her latest book, “River Crest Country Club, the First 100 Years.” Excellent news.

The book itself unearths some interesting history about River Crest, a supposedly “exclusive” organization. Though considered a club with “token” Jewish membership, River Crest actually has a strong Jewish history — for example, pioneer Jewish cattleman and distiller Milton Eppstein was one of the country club’s founders in 1911. During the club’s first decade of existence, its roster boasted 13 Jewish members including Sam Levy, founding president of Beth-El Congregation; city councilman Sam Davidson, the Temple’s sixth president; haberdashers Leon Gross and Alphonse August; and entrepreneurs Herman Marx and Dan Levy. The latter four were also among Beth-El’s founders.
In addition, husbands of well-known Congregation Ahavath Sholom members Eva, Mary, Mamie and Gertrude Potishman were also on River Crest’s roster as was department store owner Joe Sanger, who in 1919 opened a Fort Worth branch of Sanger Brothers. But when the Ku Klux Klan came along to dominate local politics, Jewish applicants were rejected. This changed in the 1930s, but by that time, not many Jews applied for membership.
Hollace tells us this book isn’t sold in stores, but can be accessed at area archives and libraries; it’ll also be on hand at silent auction events including the Zonta Club, the Fort Worth Opera Ball and Women of Reform Judaism Donor Brunch.

And don’t forget

To send information and photos about weddings, trips, the award your son or daughter received and so on, email me at awsorter@yahoo.com.