By Amy Wolff Sorter
With the High Holy Days and Simchat Torah behind us, the next-up celebration is … no, not Chanukah. Before that is the B’nai B’rith’s Isadore Garsek Lodge’s outstanding person of the year celebration, which will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 S. Hulen.
Goga Denisov will provide music for entertainment, and the dinner will consist of kosher Russian food — Sophia Nason and Polina Kuptsin are providing the recipes — with wine for good measure.
The cost for the evening is $25 and add-ons are available: $10 extra buys you limitless shots of vodka, while an additional $10 buys you caviar.
This is a terrific opportunity to show your support for the Jewish community (and to toast several l’chaims as well). Questions? Want to make reservations? Contact Harry Kahn, 817-926-6566; hskdsk@charter.net; Alex Nason, 817-346-3991, alexnason@charter.net; or Marvin Beleck, 817-921-2438, marvinbeleck@aol.com.
If you’re over 50 years of age …
… and live in the northeast corner of Tarrant County, does Congregation Beth Israel have a deal for you.
Seriously, the synagogue will host its first meeting for those 50 years of age and older at 2 p.m., Sunday Oct. 14, at CBI, 6100 Pleasant Run Road in Colleyville.
Topics on the agenda include determining a name, asking Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker a lot of questions and “a nosh and a schmooze,” according to the invitation. If you’re interested in attending, RSVP to Sandy Silverman by Friday, Oct. 12, by emailing silvermansandy@yahoo.com.
If it’s election season
It must be time for a visit from political expert Jim Riddlesperger, who will offer his insights on the upcoming general election at the next Daytimers’ event at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven in Fort Worth.
If you have questions or want to make a reservation, contact Barbara Rubin at 817-927-2736, or Hugh Lamensdorf, 817-738-1428, or make reservations online at www.bethelfw.org/donations.
Doing anything on Oct. 31?
Consider mixing it up and attending a séance to contact Jewish musician and escape artist Harry Houdini, a tradition that has been going on ever since he died on Oct. 31, 1926.
This year the official Houdini séance is coming to Fort Worth, thanks to the efforts of local resident Arthur Moses (a lifelong Congregation Ahavath Sholom member who is well-versed about Houdini). A Houdini retrospective will take place before the séance, and a “meet and greet” with other séance table participants is planned for afterward.
Seating is limited.
Houdini was born in Hungary as Erich Weiss, and his family moved to Appleton, Wis., when he was 4 years old.
The event will take place at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31 at the Masonic Center, 1100 Henderson St. in Fort Worth. Scott Wells, a nationally known medium and magician will conduct the séance.
Cost is $35 per ticket. VIP seats are available for $100, and include a private reception at 7 p.m. For information, visit www.houdinispeaks.com. You can also purchased tickets at Magic Etc., 2007 N. Forest Park Blvd. or Ajax Glass Company at 6200 Southwest Blvd., both in Fort Worth.
A November heads up
Yes, it’s almost November — and among the many activities taking place that month will be a free performance by Craig Taubman and Band at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, at Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road. The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, with financial help from the Dan Danciger/Fort Worth Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation, is sponsoring the event. This is a “mark your calendar” note — as I get more information about this event, I’ll pass it along.
A reminder
I’ll say it once again, “Around the Town” is news about you folks out there. Please don’t be shy about sharing. If you’re in Tarrant County (or are an “outlier” of this area) and have news, please send it along. My email address, as always, is awsorter@yahoo.com.