Chevrah Kaddisha dinner takes place at Ahavath Sholom
Mitzvot were the focus of the Chevrah Kaddisha dinner at Congregation Ahavath Sholom on Sunday evening, Feb. 22. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” led by Nancy Stansbury, synagogue President Harry S. Kahn welcomed the gathering of congregants and guests who had come to honor the members of the congregation’s Men’s and Ladies’ Chevra Kaddisha and the members of its Cemetery Committee. Kahn pointed out that the work that these dedicated congregants do is chesed shel emet, the ultimate mitzvah, in that it is a service done that can never be repaid. A sumptuous dinner, lovingly prepared by Elsie Blum and her catering committee and served by the congregation’s Midrasha students participating in the mitzvah of community service, was followed by the evening’s program.
The members of the Ladies’ Chevra Kaddisha and Men’s Chevra Kaddisha were introduced by the respective chairs of each, Marcia Kurtz and Glenn Garoon. Members of the Ladies’ Chevra Kaddisha also include: Elsie Blum, Ceil Cantor, Natalie Cohn, Jetti Cole, Hedy Collins, Jaclyn Daiches, J.R. Faigin, Elizabeth Gordon, Sonia Hecht, Hanna Hochster, Cynthia Labovitz, Miriam Labovitz, Linda Landy, Carmen Lederman, Melissa Morgan, Debby Rice, Sonya Stenzler and Sandra Williams. Members of the Men’s Chevra Kaddisha also include: Ed Bond, Tom Collins, Alvin Daiches, Al Faigin, Earl Givant, Morton Herman, Jack Rubin, Chaim Saadon, Phil Sawyer and Dan Sturman. The introductions were followed by the Cemetery Committee report given by Chairman Garoon on behalf of his committee, Scott Cobert, Karen Kaplan, Earl Givant and Marcia Kurtz. In doing so, Garoon spoke of the great mitzvah performed by the entire Ahavath Sholom community, which, during this past year, raised the funds that enabled the Jewish burial of a community member who otherwise would not have been able to afford one. He thanked the members of the congregation as well as the funeral directors from Robertson, Mueller and Harper, who were instrumental in making this happen.
Rabbi Baruch Zeilicovich spoke of the great mitzvah available to the Chevrah Kaddisha in the post-shiva period. He pointed out it is often the love and support offered by Chevrah members to mourners during shloshim and the entire 11-month mourning period that makes it possible for them to reintegrate into the routines of everyday life after the death of a loved one. The rabbi was joined by Dr. Javier Smolarz in leading a memorial service followed by the mourners’ Kaddish. The evening ended with the singing of “Hatikvah,” led by Dr. Smolarz. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Chevrah Kaddisha or Cemetery Committee at Ahavath Sholom or in receiving information about membership at Congregation Ahavath Sholom should contact the synagogue office at 817-731-4721.
Arlington ‘TAG’ entertains
A large crowd of “Daytimers” enjoyed a delightful presentation by Theatre Arlington Guild (TAG) at the February luncheon. The 11 seniors presented “A Breath of Spring,” the hilarious story of a group of seniors trying to save their retirement hotel and their home. They turn to a highly illegal operation to raise the money and have an exciting experience at the same time.
Members of Daytimers also had an opportunity to sign up for computer classes at Beth-El and for a special conference being conducted by S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together), Friday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 1100 Henderson. This conference is designed to assist people in avoiding victimization by criminal activities. The program includes both a free breakfast and a free lunch. To reserve a seat at the program, call Barbara Rubin at 817-927-2736.
On Wednesday, March 18, Daytimers will hear David Vaughan of Computers Made Easy. David is the instructor-in-residence at the new Annette and Sol Taylor Technology Center at Beth-El. He will tell the group about things they can do with digital cameras, the very basics of using a computer and the Internet, how to use e-mail or shop on eBay. There are already various computer classes available at Beth-El. For information, classes and dates, contact Beth-El Congregation at 817-332-7141.
The March luncheon will be catered by Rosa’s Cafe, and guests have a choice of beef burrito, Mexican plate (taco and enchilada) or cheese enchilada. Luncheon cost is $9. Guests may attend the program only for $4. For reservations, call Barbara Rubin, 817- 927-2736, or Sylvia Wexler, 817-294-1129, or checks can be mailed to Daytimers, Jewish Federation, 4049 Kingsridge Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109. Daytimers can now accept Discover cards in addition to MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Each card must include the mailing ZIP code and the three- or four-number security code from the card.
The Sylvia Wolens Daytimers is a program of Congregation Beth-El with financial support from the Jewish Federation.
Come to the Community Purim Carnival on March 8!
Don’t miss this year’s big, banner Community Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 8 at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 S. Hulen. Festivities will start at 12:30 p.m. and last until 3 p.m. Lunch is $2.50.
Participate in the four fun mitzvot of Purim: reading the Megillah blessings, gifts for the poor (bring canned food), mishloach manot and the meal of Purim. Do all four and get five extra tickets.
Carnival highlights for the younger set include Mordechai’s Muffin Game, Shushan Shuffleboard, Purim Plinko, bounce house and much more.
Admission is free. Activity tickets will be sold at the door for 25 cents each or 25 for $5.
For more information, please call Mona Karten at the Federation Office, 817-569-0892.
The event is made possible by the Jewish Federation with financial support from the Dan Danciger/Fort Worth Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation.
Open house and dedication of ComputerLab at Ahavath Sholom
Congregation Ahavath Sholom has had plenty of reason to celebrate lately. An open house on Feb. 1 showed off the new Rose and Al Sankary ComputerLab, an exciting addition to the already active shul. The ComputerLab, audio-visual enhancements and other electronics make CAS a state-of-the-art facility for entertainment, research, exploration and presentation. About 70 congregants came to the open house, where they reminisced while watching a slide-show presentation of recent and archived photos of members on the Zale social hall’s new 12-foot screen. The capabilities of the new CAVE (ComputerLab, Audio-Visual, Electronics) project were further demonstrated in the Brachman Parlor, where a movie edited by Danny Zeilicovich showed an oral history interview with R.D. Moses and Jerry Berger, Haftorah recitations by Sarah Alpert and Mollie Karten and an interview with Rabbi Baruch Zeilicovich. The movie showed some of the ways this project will be used to benefit all members of the congregation. David Saul spoke about the Greek influence on the world since the fourth century BCE to demonstrate the effective use of the equipment that can turn an ordinary presentation into a lively, interactive workshop. Ahavath Sholom’s USY and Kadima members helped introduce some of the congregants to surfing the Web in the ComputerLab with its 13 new computers and smart desks. Farther down the hall, Debby and Michael Schwanz served up freshly popped popcorn to enjoy while watching movies on the big screen with surround sound in the fun room of the education wing. Refreshments were provided by the catering staff and volunteers, led by Elsie Blum. Later that same evening, 65 people enjoyed the Super Bowl on the Zale’s 12-foot screen broadcast over cable while munching on hot dogs and chips provided by the CAS Men’s Club.
Al Sankary had just been released from the hospital (another reason to celebrate) on the day of the open house, so the actual dedication of the CAVE project was delayed until Feb. 15. On this day, Al and Rose, along with Yoseph Yaacobi, whose design and construction supervision brought the CAVE to fruition, affixed a beautiful mezuzah that Rabbi Z had just brought back from Israel. A plaque acknowledging the contributions of Al and Rose Sankary and Yoseph Yaacobi was unveiled and a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place. Guests were then invited to the Zale social hall, where Al and Rose’s many contributions to the synagogue over the years were remembered and Al shared some of his thoughts with the crowd. Bagels and cream cheese were then enjoyed by the 120 guests.
