Staff change at the TJP: Longtime Assistant Editor Phyllis LaVietes to retire

As this week’s issue goes to press, Phyllis LaVietes is dotting her last “i” and crossing her last “t.” Phyllis is leaving her position of assistant editor at the Texas Jewish Post which she has held since November 2005, and is retiring from the workforce. “My husband has just retired from his job, and I have decided to join him,” said Phyllis. “I will miss working with my TJP colleagues as well as all those people whom I may or may not ever have met in person, but with whom I was in constant contact as they sent me information on what was happening at the various synagogues and other community venues. Those have been essential building blocks in keeping the TJP’s news up to date for our dear readers throughout the Metroplex and beyond. My husband and I do plan to stay in Dallas, in this wonderful community where so much of Jewish interest is offered and which continues to grow Jewishly. A fond farewell to y’all,” she added.

First-ever Supermarket Sweep to aid JFS food pantry is a rousing success

The Supermarket Sweep, benefiting the Jewish Family Service (JFS) food pantry, was hosted by the Women’s Philanthropy Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas on March 6 at Albertson’s Hillcrest/Arapaho. Albertson’s personnel were extraordinarily helpful and cooperative in supporting this event in their store.
Sponsors of the event were the Funk Family, Levy & Son, Summit Transportation Inc. and Waldman Bros. Intergenerational co-chairs were Melissa Plaskoff, Jackie Waldman and Natalie Waldman; honorary co-chairs were Sarah Yarrin and Maxine Waldman.
Because of the success of this first-ever Sweep, it will become an annual event.
Families and individuals performed a meaningful mitzvah together, stocking the JFS food pantry. In all, 173 individuals participated, purchasing over 3,700 items valued at $4,200 for the pantry. Awards of $250 gift cards were given to Mona Allen, a member of Shearith Israel, for the greatest savings; and to Temple Emanu El Pre-School and Akiba Academy, tied for the organization with the greatest number of shoppers.
As a beneficiary agency, JFS was allocated $947,900 from the Federation Annual Campaign this year, made possible through the generosity of the donors in the Dallas Jewish community. The agency served 2,806 people at its food pantry last year at its office on Arapaho Road.
Michael Fleisher, executive director of JFS, said: “The Supermarket Sweep was a great new, collaborative project between Jewish Family Service and our Jewish Community Federation. It was exciting to see so many children, parents and other volunteers bring food to our pantry, sort it, stock shelves and visit, knowing they are helping to feed the hungry and provide for one of life’s most basic needs. Our congratulations and thanks to the co-chairs, Melissa Plaskoff, Jackie Waldman, and Natalie Waldman; all the Jewish Family Service and Federation volunteers who helped; and everyone whose most thoughtful donations of food filled our pantry shelves and soon will fill the dinner tables of community families in need.”

Women’s class will feature professional organizer

Chabad Jewish Women’s Circle invites all women to join in an enjoyable and inspiring evening. “Breaking Out of Our Physical and Spiritual Limitations,” on Monday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m., will feature Judy Kogutt, professional organizer. She will inspire you to create a tranquil home environment and get your space and time in order. Gain the necessary tools to tap into the spiritual freedom available during the holiday of Pesach. The session will take place at Chabad of Dallas, 6710 Levelland Road; a donation of $10 is suggested. Please RSVP to bailav@aol.com, shikoon@aol.com or michalshapiro@sbcglobal.net if you plan to attend.

Congregation Adat Chaverim hosts wine tasting on April 16

Eat, drink and be merry with Congregation Adat Chaverim. The synagogue will hold its annual fundraiser on April 16, and members of the community are invited to taste wines from around the world.
The wine will be provided by Corner Wines and guests will have the opportunity to taste a variety of chardonnays, merlots, noirs and kosher wine. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will take place at the synagogue, 6300 Independence Pkwy., Plano. Tickets are $30 each, and that price includes the wine tasting, dinner, one raffle ticket and a souvenir wine glass.
There will also be a silent auction that evening with items ranging from restaurant gift certificates to Mavericks tickets, decorative items and more. Committee members said this unique event is sure to attract a wide range of people.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 972-491-5917 or visit www.adatchaverim.org.

America’s principle of religious freedom to be celebrated at National Day of Prayer

In a land established on the principle of religious freedom, prayer has occupied a central and sometimes controversial place in our affairs right from the start. Our forefathers in 1774, for example, debated the issue before starting the very first session of the Continental Congress with prayer.
With a luncheon at the Tower Club on Thursday, May 5, 2011, the Thanks-Giving Foundation will celebrate the central role prayer plays in our country. Guest speaker Rabbi David Stern, senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, will reflect on the meaning of this important occasion along with clergy of many other faiths.
The luncheon also will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first National Day of Prayer in 1981.
Sparked by a request from Ann Armstrong and the Thanks-Giving Foundation, President-elect Ronald Reagan set aside a permanent day for the National Day of Prayer in 1981 (seven years before Congress acted). He then declared that the National Day of Prayer be held on the first Thursday in May in conjunction with our nation’s earliest prayer traditions.
While many National Day of Prayer events mark this important occasion, the Thanks-Giving Foundation’s luncheon celebrates the personal, national and world importance of prayer across all religions.
The event is open to the public. Please RSVP by April 29 by calling 214-969-1977.