Tarrant County commemorates Yom HaZikaron, fallen soldiers
On Monday, April 27, the Tarrant County Jewish community gathered at Ahavath Sholom to commemorate Israel’s fallen soldiers. Garry Kahalnik welcomed the crowd of over 100 people and introduced the program. BBYO members marched out with Israeli flags as an honor guard, accompanied by the drums of Bradley Chatman. Kim Factor played taps on her trumpet, and Javier Smolarz sang the “El Male Rachamim” and led the Mourner’s Kaddish. Jakub Brand, flanked by his grandchildren, Samantha and Gabriel, laid the wreath at the bottom of the Israeli flag.
After moving inside to the Barnett Sanctuary, the service was begun by Naomi Rosenfield followed by Rabbi Baruch Zeilicovich and Rabbi Sidney Zimelman reading Yizkor. Debby Rice and Rachel Niv lit the memorial candle. Noam Ben David sang “Song of Friendship” accompanied by Elli Meir on the harmonica. Monica Braverman and Angie Kitzman sang “We Will Not Leave Again” accompanied by Dennis Finley. Readers for the evening were Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, Rivka Marco, Hal Ratner, Yosi Yaacobi, Rebecca Cristol, Helith Sofer, Sol Brody, Yael Hoffman, Stan Dolginoff, David Amsellam, Corey Mandel and Ilana Knust. Belle Marco sang a lovely rendition of “You Are Like A Country to Me.” Javier Smolarz concluded the program with “Hatikvah.”
Chairs of the event, Ruthy Erez, Shoshana Howard and Sima Meir, did a tremendous job choreographing the occasion and putting together the PowerPoint presentation that was shown. This event was 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.
Hail to our grads, and congratulations!
Our list of graduates is a bit sparse this year, though it is most welcome news. On the college level, among those we’ve heard of are Eric Labovitz, son of Cynthia and Harry Labovitz and grandson of Miriam Labovitz and Sam Hayman, and Danny Collins, son of Hedy Collins, who both received law degrees from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio; two of Barbara and Dennis Schuster’s sons received accolades for their achievements, Matthew, who graduated from Columbia University with an executive master’s degree, and Terry, who graduated from University of Texas Law School. Amy Hofberger, daughter of Marilyn McGee and the late Dr. Richard Hofberger, received her degree from Texas Weslyan Law School.
It’s double excitement for Alicia and Donny Buescher, and mom, Horty Deifik. The Bueschers’ No. 1 daughter, Blair, and her husband, Adam Lee, made them first-time grandparents with the birth of their son Gage and gave Horty another most welcome great-grandson. Added to their joy is the graduation of Stacy Buescher from Texas Christian University.
Greta and David Beckerman look forward to celebrating the triple graduation of three of their grandchildren: Drew from high school, his sister Michelle from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and cousin Jill from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. The family will gather at the home of Drew and Michelle’s parents, Lisa and Neil Beckerman in New Jersey. Jill’s family joining in the celebration are Iris and Sid Newman.
Mazel tov to all the grads and their proud families. While our list of high school grads is still in the formation process, we would like to hear about more of them as well as added college grads. You can either e-mail rene@texasjewishpost.com or call 817-927-2831. Please let me hear from you!
Mock wedding at the shul
Ahavath Sholom’s sixth-grade Sunday school class held a mock wedding, tied into studying the Jewish lifecycle. Ariella Listig, who caught the bouquet last year, was the bride. Zack Cristol was the groom. Parents of the bride were Molly Karten and Isaac Landy. Acting as the groom’s parents were Amanda Leventhal and Ben Darling. Best man was Aaron Lax, and maid of honor was Hannah Stansbery. Sarah Silverberg and Eric Kuptsin, the bridesmaids, were escorted by Elliot Watenberg and Cody Berman. Jackie Herman made a trail of roses for the bride as the lovely flower girl. The bride’s dress was pre-worn and donated by the owner for this special event. Flowers were designed by Michael’s on Oakmont; the bride’s beautiful veil with blusher was made and designed by Gail Berlin and Robin Stein. The wedding rings were designed by Dollar Tree, and the delicious kosher cake was made by Albertsons of Hulen Street. Guests came from all over Tarrant County.
An aufruf luncheon was catered by the sixth-grade class the week prior to the wedding. It featured the children’s favorite foods: guacamole, matzah ball soup, teriyaki salmon, latkes, salad, broccoli and ice cream pies for dessert. Over 30 people were in attendance and the chefs did a terrific job.
‘Daytimers’ talk about World War I connections
Bruce D. Cohen told the story of Jews who fought in World War I for Germany, Great Britain and the United States at the April 22 luncheon for the “Daytimers.” Several members of the group mentioned members of their families who fought for the U.S. in World War I.
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, thus the special interest in military history, especially Jewish military history. Both Hannah Howard and Joe Klein brought memorabilia from their families. Jewish War Veterans Commander Rich Morris attended. When emcee Edythe Cohen introduced newcomer Rosalyn Rosenthal, who is moving here from St. Louis, both she and Fort Worth’s Roz Rosenthal stood up, as they were seated at the same table!
Next event for the “Daytimers” will be a May 20 trip to Fossil Rim Ranch in two 15-passenger vans that have been provided by Jewish Family Service. The group will depart at 9:45 a.m. Cost is $15/person.
For reservations, call Barbara Rubin, 817-927-2736, or Sylvia Wexler, 817-294-1129, or checks can be mailed to Daytimers, Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
The Sylvia Wolens “Daytimers” is a program of Congregation Beth-El with financial support from the Jewish Federation.
Henry Luskey cited by Barron’s
On the business scene, Henry L. Luskey, senior vice president, financial adviser in Morgan Stanley’s Global Wealth Group’s Fort Worth office, was named as one of Barron’s “Top 1000 Advisers: 2009 State-by-State.”