Story of Comandante Enrico at 2009 Yom HaShoah program and service
On Monday, April 20, 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom, the Tarrant County community will commemorate the Holocaust with its annual service and program. The program will feature Mark Wygoda sharing the story of his father, Hermann Wygoda, a Polish Jew who commanded a division of resistance fighters in the mountains of northern Italy during World War II. His mother, brother and only son were murdered by the Nazis at Treblinka in 1942. He escaped the Nazis and made his way to Savona, Italy where he remade himself into Comandante Enrico, the scourge of local Nazis. He received military decorations from three nations and wrote his memoirs, “In The Shadow of The Swastika,” in 1945.
The program is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County with financial support from the Dan Danciger/Fort Worth Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation, Brite Divinity School and TCU Jewish Studies Program, Martin Hochster Memorial Post #755-Jewish War Veterans, Multicultural Alliance, TCU Hillel/ University Ministries, Congregation Ahavath Sholom, Beth-El Congregation, Congregation Beth Shalom and Congregation Beth Israel. For more information, please call the Federation office at 817-569-0892.
‘Daytimers’ to hear about Jews in World War I
Bruce D. Cohen will tell the Story of “Jews in the Great War” — Jews who fought in World War I for Germany, Great Britain and the United States — at the luncheon for the “Daytimers,” Wednesday, April 22, at noon at Beth-El Congregation. The PowerPoint presentation includes photos, letters, posters and newspaper information from the time.
Cohen is associate general counsel for Verizon and a member of Congregation Kol Ami in Flower Mound. He made this presentation at his synagogue, and Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis suggested that “Daytimers” would enjoy it as much as they did. Cohen is an attorney, father of two young children, Kol Ami board member and Sunday school teacher.
At one time Cohen was a Captain in the U.S. Army Field Artillery. He is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and is now pursuing a master’s in history at University of North Texas. Hence, the special interest in military history, especially Jewish military history.
The luncheon is catered by Ol’ South Pancake House. Guests have a choice of kosher salami on rye, breast of turkey on wheat, or tuna salad on wheat. Luncheon cost is $9 or guests may attend for 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.
B’nai B’rith Isadore Garsek Lodge hosts 150 for seder
Isadore Garsek Lodge of B’nai Brith International hosted the best Passover seder for the Jewish Family Services Senior Program yet. Over 150 people from the Metroplex attended — including the Sylvia Gray Chavera from Arlington. The food was fantastic, cooked and prepared under the supervision of Harry Kahn. Volunteer cooks and servers with Harry included Rich Hollander, Marvin Beleck, Ebi Lavi, Earl Givant, Barbara Rubin, Foster Owen, Alex Nason, Dr, Irv Robinson, Marla Sturman, Scott Sturman, Ellie Cooper and her sister-in-law, Coco from Boston, and Alvin Daiches and his brother-in-law Ed. Gail Granek snapped photos and helped out as well. Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger led the service with Javier Smolarz and Garry Kahalnik assisting. Especially delicious was the charoset made by Leslie Kaitcer.
The daily program attendees have been treated to special Passover holiday baskets, including a gift certificate to Kroger, donated by our local Hadassah chapter. Thanks are also given to the sisterhood of the Colleyville’s Temple Beth Israel for donating the matzah for the baskets. The generosity of the Tarrant County community is just incredible. Please come and check out the Senior Program for yourselves. They meet Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at Beth-El.
Art benefit: ‘Where Glass Rules the Runway’
“Vitro Moda — Where Glass Rules the Runway” will celebrate the founding of SINaCA Studios–School of Glass at a benefit on Saturday, April 18, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Fort Worth Community Art Center, 1300 Gandy St. It should be a stunning event, with several magnificent pieces created by SINaCA artists. Evelyn Siegel, distinguished and talented Fort Worth artist, serves on the board of SINaCA. We know too that Debby Rice, one of the founders of the group, will be in attendance. This is one of her favorite expressions of art. The public is invited. For tickets, visit wwwsinacastudios.org or call 817-899-0024.