Shavuot at Ahavath Sholom
This past weekend, a very busy one at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, started Thursday night with the Tikkun Leyl Shavuot when attendees participated in sessions led by the synagogue executive director, Garry Kahalnik, and Rabbi Alberto “Baruch” Zeilicovich. The study sessions lasted well into the wee hours of the morning and were punctuated by delicious dairy treats provided by the synagogue’s catering committee, a team of caring volunteers led by Committee Chair Elsie Blum. Friday morning services continued the Shavuot celebration.
On Friday night, the fun went on, starting with an authentic Persian Shabbat dinner lovingly prepared under the supervision of Mrs. Ezat Lavi, mother of Ahavath Sholom’s own Ebby Lavi. The food was delicious and served as a great introduction to the Shavuot/Shabbat/Confirmation service led by Carly Karten, Stephanie Mintz and Madison Moses, the 2009 confirmation class. The girls shared their views on various topics with a full house of congregants. The service was followed by an elaborate oneg in honor of the confirmands featuring many mouthwatering, home-made baked goods.
Saturday morning services led by Harry Kahn, Dr. Javier Smolarz, Emily Cobert and Nancy Stansbury were outstanding and a wonderful Kiddush luncheon was sponsored in memory of Calvin Taub and in honor of Shirley Givant’s birthday, the Religious School Teachers and Harry Kahn, president of the congregation.
Sunday morning was the last class of this year’s Religious School program, which culminated in an awards program and a hot dog barbecue picnic. The question remains, “What can be done for an encore?” Stay tuned!

Former resident Rose Rubin receives 2009 SSSA Distinguished Service Award
Congratulations to former Fort Worth resident Rose Rubin, who is the recipient of the distinguished Southwestern Social Sciences Association Award. Rose has served the SSSA for more than 30 years in many capacities. She is the quintessential Southern lady and the epitome of efficiency and competence. She has been a mentor to many women in the association and elsewhere, for she came into the academy at a time when very few women were represented in the professoriate, especially in the discipline of economics.
Rose served for eight years as the secretary-treasurer of the Southwestern Economics Association before becoming its president in 1991–92. She served on the SSSA Budget and Financial Policies Committee, the Site Selection Committee, the Editorial Policies Committee and the Long-Term Planning Committee of the Social Science Quarterly. She was treasurer of the SSSA for four years before being elected vice president in 1998 and became SSSA president in 2000. Afterward, she served on the Executive Committee, the Executive Council and the Selection Committee for the SSQ publisher. She has served on the boards of many other associations in economics.
Rose is retiring this year from her professorship in the Department of Economics at the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis, where she was the department chair for several years. She is a graduate of Wellesley College, holds an M.A. in economics from Emory University and received her Ph.D. in economics from Kansas State University. She completed post-doctoral work at Johns Hopkins University in health care finance.
Professor Rubin’s areas of expertise and research are in the economics of health and aging. She is the co-author of two books, “Expenditures of Older Americans” (1997) and “Working Wives and Dual-Earner Families” (1994), as well as several dozen refereed academic articles in economics, health policy, medical, gerontology and social science journals. She has recently (2009) co-authored “A Handbook for Widows” with ourtowner Corrine Jacobson to provide practical and financial advice to those recently widowed.
Rose has received a National Science Foundation Grant, several AARP Andrus Foundation grants, a State of
Texas TARP grant and a National Academy of Social Insurance grant, as well as several faculty grants from various institutions. She has been a Robert Wood Johnson fellow at the Johns Hopkins University, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institute and a research fellow at the Urban Child Institute in Memphis, Tennessee.
Rose Rubin is most deserving of the 2009 Southwestern Social Sciences Award, and we are pleased that she is being honored.
‘Kids Who Care’ to bring show to Daytimers
The next looked-forward-to program for the “Daytimers” will be a presentation by the audition musical theater company, “Kids Who Care.” Founding Director Deborah Jung will bring 50 members of the current “Kids Who Care” resident company. Kids from across the Metroplex, ages 6–18, are part of this audition musical theater company and perform 30 to 40 times each year in the Metroplex and across the country. They will present their original musical; “Let My Heart Sing,” Wednesday, June 10, at noon at Beth-El Synagogue.
Whether singing on the American Airlines Wish Flight, a Girls and Boys Club in Chicago or New York’s Lamb’s Theatre off-Broadway, “Kids Who Care” fills any room with fresh energy and hope. The group will be introduced by Sylvia Wexler, whose granddaughter Kim Garoon had a starring role with the company before she left for college. The “Kids” will brown-bag picnic with the “Daytimers,” and some members have expressed interest in bringing their grandchildren to the event.
Lunch will be catered by Boopa’s Bagel Deli. Guests will have a choice of turkey and hummus on sesame bagel, chicken salad on honey wheat bagel, or cream cheese and lox on pumpernickel bagel, plus chips, cookies, coffee or tea. Boopa’s is a favorite bagel supplier for the community, and people may order bagels delivered with the lunches by calling Boopa’s at 817-232-4771. Lunch is $9, or guests may attend for program only for $4 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.
Carole Rogers back from visit to Albuquerque
Dr. Carole Rogers, director of Jewish Family Services, just got back from a conference in Albuquerque and had a chance to visit with former ourtowner Rebecca Victor. Rebecca has made friends in New Mexico, plays mah jongg and even taught some of the youngsters for a while. However, she still misses Fort Worth and wanted to make sure everyone knows she says hello.
Carole and Rebecca met for dinner at a wonderful restaurant, The Savoy. Rebecca’s daughter, Ellen Victor Diamond, and Mary Frances Antweil’s daughter, Julie Silverman, both of whom reside in Albuquerque, joined in the festive evening. Rebecca was as kind and warm as always and looked terrific wearing a stunning diamond necklace her children gave her for her 90th birthday.