DJHS Pollman Lecture Series and Annual Meeting

The Dallas Jewish Historical Society will present another Harold A. Pollman Lecture Series, with guest speaker, Rabbi Uri Barnea. The program will accompany the Dallas Jewish Historical Society’s annual meeting and board installation on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Hailing from Hattiesburg, Miss., via Israel, Rabbi Uri Barnea is a musical genius with an impressive musical career. Son of Holocaust survivors, he grew up in Petah-Tikvah, Israel. Musically talented even as a young child, by the age of 10, the violin was his instrument of choice. After serving honorably in regular and reserve Israel Defense Forces commando units for 10 years, he completed his music degree at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. In 1971, he was invited to serve as music director at the Jewish Community Center in Minneapolis, where he enrolled at the University of Minnesota, majoring in conducting and composition, earning his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. He began his career as assistant conductor of the University of Minnesota Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and was music director of the First Unitarian Society and the Kenwood Chamber Orchestra.
In 1977 he married his wife, Lizbeth, and in 1978 they moved to Galesburg, Illinois, where Barnea was assistant professor of Music at Knox College and music director of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony. From 1984 through 2004, Rabbi Barnea conducted the Billings Symphony as well as the Montana Ballet Company in Bozeman from 1993 to 2004.
He won the first composition prize from the 1976 Aspen Music Festival for his String Quartet, received an honorary citation from the Montana Human Rights Network in 1995, was given an honorary doctorate from Rocky Mountain College in 1999 and was honored with the Montana Governor’s Arts Award in music in 2003.
In 2004, he left his musical career and enrolled in the Rabbinical School at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and was ordained in a record time of three years. In 2007, Rabbi Barnea assumed his position as full-time rabbi with Congregation B’nai Israel in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The Dallas Jewish Historical Society’s Annual Meeting and Pollman Program will be held at the Zale Auditorium of the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas. This program is part of a continuing series graciously sponsored by Harold Pollman for the purpose of bringing to Dallas national experts on topics of interest to the Dallas Jewish community. Admission is free and the program is open to the public. To make a reservation, please call 214-239-7120 or e-mail the Society at dtobias@djhs.org.

SWJC honors five women with Inspiring Women of the Southwest Award

On Thursday, May 12, the Southwest Jewish Congress (SWJC) will present the Inspiring Women of the Southwest Award to Jill Cumnock, Barbara Landix, Rebecca Muñoz-Diaz, Karen Cash Onco and Jan Pruitt, at the Colonnade Atrium, 15301 N. Dallas Pkwy. in Addison. A buffet at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by the awards program at 7:30. Event Chairs are SWJC Officers Dr. Roberta S. Berger and Keo Strull.
The Inspiring Women of the Southwest Awards are presented to women from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. They have been spirited in the pursuit of positive social change, and who, as role models, have made an impact on our communities, either locally or regionally. These inspiring women advocate for inclusiveness in our society and support positions consistent with the Mission of the Southwest Jewish Congress.
Having devoted her professional and personal life working to assist those in need, Jill Cumnock recently began her journey as chief executive officer of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. The Ronald McDonald House exists to serve and sustain families when serious illness or injury strikes the most cherished part of their lives, their children. She was formerly executive director of the Frisco Family Center, a non-profit organization providing social services to individuals and families experiencing personal and financial hardships. In addition, Jill has had the opportunity to work at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Jewish Family Service, and Bryan’s House. She was named Person of the Year by Frisco Style Magazine because of her tremendous leadership and the impact she has had on the Frisco community.
Long an active member of the non-profit community, Barbara Landix led Vogel Alcove as it grew to provide a full suite of services to the children of homeless families in Dallas. Barbara’s first priority has always been children. She has put her heart and soul into improving their lives and giving them the chance to succeed. She firmly believes that homeless children need a nurturing environment in which they can heal from the trauma of homelessness, address developmental delays and receive the best pre-school curriculum so that they enter kindergarten equipped to succeed in school. Barbara worked tirelessly to develop a talented and caring staff to provide parents a safe place to leave their children while they attend school or work, to enable them to attain self-sufficiency,
Under the leadership of Becky Muñoz- Diaz, North Texas has become a center for Spanish language media. Since November 1995, she has served as general manager and vice president of Univision KUVN-TV Channel 23 and TeleFutura KSTR Channel 49, guiding them to become the top-rated Spanish language stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Masterful at creating novel strategies for advertisers to use in reaching out to the Latino community, Becky has developed unique marketing segments as well as community events like the Annual Tamale Festival and Copa Univision Soccer Tournament. She also serves on the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Dallas County, the Ad Council of America and the YWCA of Greater Dallas.
A citizen of the Kiowa Nation, Karen Cash Onco has worked tirelessly for her people in education, cultural education, leadership development and tribal government to dismantle stereotypes. In 1988, Karen was recognized as Parent of the Year at the National Indian Education Conference. She has worked with many local American Indian community members to make a positive impact in the areas of education, economic, and business development for urban tribal citizens. Active with Texas Indian education as a consultant, teacher conference organizer, and tribal language teacher, Karen is a Middle School counselor in the Grand Prairie Independent School District. In addition, Karen has served in numerous roles at the American Indian Center of Texas.
Recognized throughout both the state and the nation for advocacy efforts on behalf of families in need, Jan Pruitt serves the North Texas Food Bank as chief executive officer. Committed to providing families in North Texas with adequate nutritious food, Jan leads this nonprofit organization that has been recognized locally and nationally for its effectiveness. She has received numerous awards in recognition of her devoted commitment and extraordinary effort to the network’s viability and momentum. In appreciation of her efforts to eliminate hunger, Jan has been awarded the John van Hengel Fellowship from Feeding America, the national network of food banks; the Presidential Recognition of the Year Award; and the Award of Excellence in Non-Profit leadership by the Center for Non-Profit Management.
For reservations, invitations or more information regarding the event, please call 214-361-0018.

Herzl Hadassah Installation

Herzl Hadassah will hold its closing meeting of the year on Monday, May 9 at the Aaron Family JCC in the Senior Assembly Room at 10 a.m.
Installation of officers for the coming year will be conducted by Ruth Hendleman, former President of the Southwest Region and now a member of the National Hadassah Board.
New directories will be available for pick-up at this meeting, and a final report of the annual Lifesaver Luncheon will be given. Everyone is encouraged to attend and bring guests to hear Ruth bring us the latest news about Hadassah. Desert and coffee will be served.