Federation’s ‘Israel Day’ is set for May 17 at CAS
After postponing the annual Yom HaAtzmaut celebration due to fears about a swine flu epidemic, the Federation has created an “Israel Day” to take its place. The program will be the same, but the date and place have changed. “Israel Day” will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m. at Congregation Ahavath Sholom. The cost remains $6 for adults, $3 for children 3–12 and free for children under 3. Make your reservations now! (If you have already paid, you do not need to make another reservation, but if you cannot come to “Israel Day,” your payment will be refunded.)
“Israel Day” 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 and Hartman, Leito and Bolt, LLP.
Laurie Werner to be honored as Jewish Person of the Year
B’nai B’rith’s Isadore Garsek Lodge #269 will hold their Jewish Person of the Year award banquet on Sunday, June 7, at Ridglea Country Club. Chosen for the significant honor this year is well-deserving recipient, Laurie Werner.
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., with dinner following at 7. Those desiring a kosher meal should request it in advance.
Fee for the evening is $25 per attendee for a great evening honoring a great person. There will be no charge for AZA and BBG youth.
For reservations and tickets, you can contact any of the following: Alex Nason, 817-346-3991; Foster Owen, 817-731-6606; Marvin Belek, 817-921-2438; Harry Kahn, 817-926-6566; Gerald Hecht, 817-924-8583; Robert Chicotsky, 817-294-2493; Dr. Carole Rogers, 817-569-0898; Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 817-731-4721; or Temple Beth-El, 817-332-7141.
If you wish to nominate someone for a future Person of the Year, please send nominations to P.O. Box 101234, Fort Worth, TX 76185.
Teens are confirmed at Beth-El
Thoughts of the beautiful traditional confirmation at Beth-El last Friday night brought many sentimental memories to mind, as I recalled those occasions for four of my children, who were just as happy then as this year’s confirmands. The excited group of teenagers who were confirmed in the traditional ceremony at Beth-El included Rebecca Allen, daughter of Sheri and Richard Allen; Matthew and Robert Beldon, sons of Lori and Robert Beldon; Brandon Bito, son of Roberta and Mark Gerrick; Jacob Bustillos, son of Melody and Guy Bustillos; Ben Cristol, son of Rebecca and Louis Cristol; Roee Hoffman, son of Yael Hoffman and Jim Forgey; Danielle Knust, daughter of Ilana and Kurt Knust; Michael Mann, son of Sherry and Howard Mann; and Dylan Shelby, son of Erika and Scott Shelby.
The families of the confirmands honored them at a reception following in the temple’s Great Hall.
Congregation Ahavath Sholom has scheduled their confirmation for May 29, during Shavuot.
Newborns and graduates
Did I tell you that Cynthia and Harry Labovitz and their parents, Miriam Labovitz and Sam Hayman, are celebrating a double simcha — the recent birth of Sheldon Alexander Miller, son of Darcy and Steven Miller, a first grandchild for Cynthia and Harry, and another link in the great-grandchild chain for Miriam and maternal great-grandfather, Sam Hayman? Sheldon weighed in at Baylor All Saints at 7 lbs. 4 oz. on March 10. In the meantime, the family is also celebrating the recent graduation of son and grandson, Eric Labovitz, from St. Mary’s School of Law. Recent guests of the Labovitz-Hayman families were Cynthia’s brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Claire Hayman, who took a quick weekend in Texas to meet and greet their new nephew.
When Jessica Gerrick receives her Bachelor of Science and Registered Nursing degrees from the University of Kansas, cheering her on will be a special group of boosters, her folks: mom, Carol Mandelbaum Gerrick; dad and stepmom, Mark and Roberta Gerrick; adoring grandparents, Joyce and Jack Gerrick and Sandy and Sam Mandelbaum; and sister, Rebecca Gerrick, who also plans a career in nursing and is matriculating at the University of Dallas.
Paschal High grads we’ve heard of include Matthew Aaron Blum, son of Lea Ann and Irwin Blum, who plans to start his college career at TCU. A four-year academic athlete, he’s the grandson of proud grandmom, Elsie Blum. Sara Lavi, daughter of Ebby and Linda Lavi, and Emily Cobert, daughter of Ann and Scott Cobert, will attend the University of Texas at Arlington. Steven Silverberg, son of Karen and Kal Silverberg and grandson of Elaine and Herb Silverberg and the late Audrey Kolker, will attend Rice University. Kathy Swartz, daughter of James and Patricia Swartz, a graduate of Fort Worth Country Day, will attend Smith College; Trinity Valley grads Margolit Slovin, daughter of Elliot Slovin and Lynn Millstone, will attend Ryerson University in Canada while Jillian Fenton, daughter of Dr. Bob and Phyllis Fenton, looks forward to attending Washington University in St. Louis. Jillian is the granddaughter of recent Fort Worth new resident, Adele Arensberg. As we go to press, last-minute additions to our high school grads list are Michael Fine, son of Susan and Kenneth Fine; Sam Trevino, son of Barbara Benjamin Trevino and Dr. Roberto Trevino; Rachel Alpert, daughter of Karen and Richard Alpert; Amit Krompass, daughter of Diana and Matthew Krompass; Shanah Watenberg, daughter of Dr. Isaac Watenberg; and Paige Rhinehart, daughter of Tammy Rhinehart.
Congratulations to all. Hopefully we’ll have more grads to report in future issues. Let us hear from you. You can either call 817-927-2831 or e-mail news@texasjewishpost.com.
