New bat mitzvah program comes to the Metroplex
Etta Korenman is really excited about a new program that has come from Israel to the young girls of Tarrant County and Dallas. On Monday, Dec. 7, Oshra Koren and Rebecca Linzer, from the Matan Program in Israel, met for a long day at Beth-El to train Batya Brand and Ilana Knust, from Tarrant County, and Annette Wolk and Sharon Weinstein, from Congregation Shaare Tefilla in Dallas. The Matan Bat Mitzvah Program consists of 10 two-hour sessions during which mothers and daughters study Jewish sources in preparation for the girl’s bat mitzvah. Centered on the theme “Jewish Women Through the Ages,” the program focuses on Jewish role models. The women studied in this program were selected because they embody positive attributes and values from which the girls can learn. At each meeting the learning session is accompanied by an experiential activity related to the relevant figure or subject. Each activity creates a different atmosphere and invites different modes of self-expression such as creative dance, music, theater, art and guided imagery. It is also a wonderful opportunity for mothers to be with their daughters. The Matan Program has been successful in Israel, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia and Sweden. The program is suitable for girls from observant to secular. Etta added, “This description cannot do it justice; it is an amazing program.” Mothers and girls in Tarrant County can contact Ilana Knust, 817-332-7141, for further information and to sign up. The program was brought to Tarrant County thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Federation’s Endowment Committee.
JEA to honor the Zenicks
The Jewish Education Agency recently announced this year’s Bubbe and Zayde (grandparents) honorees, Ilene and Jerry Zenick, will be recognized on Sunday, Jan. 31, for their extraordinary dedication and service to Jewish education and Jewish day camping for the past 30 years.
“Our community has benefited immensely from the efforts of Ilene and Jerry. Their quiet, steady support, combined with their professional talents, has enabled families and especially children to experience the joys of being Jewish. Whether it was Jerry rolling up his sleeves to make holiday celebrations happen or ‘Miss’ Ilene’s creative classroom activities, they have enriched our lives tremendously,” said Rebecca Isgur, JEA board member.
According to Dr. Jen Ratner, JEA fundraising chair, “We are thrilled to be honoring the Zenicks. Ilene taught at Lil Goldman for 16 years and Jerry served as DDJCC president in the 1980s. Now they really are a Bubbe and Zayde, with their granddaughter Madison a Lil Goldman student and Camp Shalom camper. Our honorary chairs, Patty and Elliott Garsek, have a special distinction with the Lil Goldman preschool. Elliott was among the first students, their children attended as well and their grandchild-to-be is enrolled.”
In preparation for this wonderful event, the committee is gathering names and photos of Ilene’s former students, as well as photos of Jerry and his former JCC teammates. A Facebook profile has been created for the Lil Goldman Early Learning Center to check out happenings at the school and information about this wonderful tribute event. You can find information on Facebook at “Lil Goldman Early Learning Center/JEA/Camp Shalom/Hebrew Day School.”
If you, your children or grandchildren were among Ilene’s students, if you played sports with Jerry, or if you volunteered with either of them on a committee or board of the Dan Danciger Jewish Community Center, B’nai B’rith, Jewish Women International or any other organization, the JEA wants you to be a part of this tribute event. A tribute committee has been formed which includes: David and Greta Beckerman, Larry and Gail Berlin, Leon Brachman, Harry and Carol Bulbrook, Hedy Collins, Alvin and Jaclyn Daiches, Dr. Jason and Alice Finkelstein, Drs. Al and Nancy Faigin, Charlie and Cathy Freid, Dr. David and Elizabeth Friedman, Elliott and Patty Garsek, Tricia Haber, Ben and Suzie Herman, Gary and Shoshana Howard, Ben and Shoshana Isgur, Stuart and Rebecca Isgur, Jeff and Randee Kaitcer, Stephen and Valerie Kaye, Matthew and Diana Krompass, and Dr. Stan and Marcia Kurtz.
Also, Dr. Cory and Neta Mandel, Amy Matejka, Kendra McCown, Rafael and Marina Michan, Dr’s. Bruce and Etta Miller, Hal and Dr. Jen Ratner, Sam Reznikoff, Debbie Rice, Sam and Joan Rosen, Mark and Naomi Rosenfield, Al and Rose Sankary, Rick and Karen Savitz, Carol Schwartz, Daniel and Blanca Sherwin, Ken and Felice Sherwin, Robert and Cindy Simon, Nancy Spiegel, Sheila Stocker, Dr. Bruce and Hollace Weiner, Lon and Laurie Werner, and Rabbi Baruch and Graciela Zeilicovich. This extensive group of community members is representative of the love, respect and appreciation for the Zenicks.
The event committee is creating a tribute book which will reflect the community’s gratitude for their service. Photos and personal messages will be available to the entire community and distributed at the event. The evening will be a most memorable one, beginning with wine and cheese in the Lil Goldman Early Learning Center school wing at Ahavath Sholom, and progressing to a sit-down dinner. Several presentations will be made followed by a delicious dessert buffet — just the way a Bubbe would want it.
As an added bonus, the JEA will draw a winning raffle ticket for a week (July 3–10, 2010) at a fabulous beachside resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Tickets are being sold for $1 each or 12 for $100. Ticket sellers will be happy to show you pictures of the hotel.
Best of all, all of the proceeds from the tribute book and raffle will help the JEA’s Tuition/Campership Program. “These are difficult times for many Jewish families and no youngsters will be turned away. With your help and support we will continue to provide the only intensive Jewish education programs and Jewish summer day camp experience in Tarrant County. This is an opportunity for all of us to come together, to honor deserving people and in the process to do the ‘right thing’ for our children. Let’s do it!” Jen Ratner concluded.
For additional information on purchasing ads, raffle tickets or tickets to the event, please contact the Lil Goldman Early Learning Center, 817-737-9898.
2010 Beth-El Film Festival schedule announced
Movies for the 2010 Beth-El Film Festival have been selected. For those wishing to participate, there will be an optional meal prior to each film at a cost of $12/person. There is no charge for those wishing only to see the films. Reservations for the meal must be made by calling the temple office at 817-332-7141. For all films, dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. with the movie following at 7:30 p.m.
Additional information on the films can be found at the Beth-El Web site (www.bethelfw.org) by clicking on “Lifetime Learning” under “Education.”
Saturday, Jan. 16: “Bart Got a Room” (PG-13). Children’s movies: “The Chosen” and “Something from Nothing.” Meal: Yucatan taco stand, roasted tequila lime chicken, chipotle mashed potatoes, braised Latin vegetables, Yucatan house salad with fried plantains.
Saturday, Jan. 30: “Sixty-Six” (suitable for ages 10 and up). Children’s movies: “The Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster” and “Unsung Heroes.” Meal: Babe’s fried chicken, fried chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce/smoked chicken with BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes with cream gravy, Grandma’s corn, green beans, biscuit with honey and butter, banana pudding.
Saturday, Feb. 13: “Noodle” (suitable for ages 10 and up). Children’s movies: “The Frisco Kid” and “It Can Always Be Worse.” Meal: Pak-a-Pocket, grilled marinated chicken breast, basmati rice or red potatoes, cold green beans with tomatoes, onion and garlic or green beans with almonds, Greek salad, hummus, pita bread and baklava.
The Congregation Beth-El Film Series is funded by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County.