CHAI hosts successful brunch, honors individuals

Community Homes for Adults, Inc. (CHAI) held their Generation to Generation fundraising brunch on Sunday, June 12 at the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch. The focus of the brunch was to honor individuals who have provided outstanding service and support to adults with cognitive disabilities. CHAI presented three guests with the Milton P. Levy Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award. This year’s award recipients were John D. Rosenberg, Florence
Kramer and Herbert “Buddy” Rosenthal.
“Milton Levy was very dear to our organization and it is important to us that his legacy is upheld through the Distinguished Leadership Award,” said Marcy Helfand, president of the CHAI board of directors. “We truly believe that this year’s recipients have stepped into the shoes of Milton in their dedication to assisting CHAI residents.”

Additional awards were given to young volunteers Molly Aaron, Elizabeth Fields and Andrew Fields for their voluntarism with CHAI’s residents.
Jackie Waldman, author of “The Courage to Give,” was the keynote speaker at the event. Jackie was named a CNN millennium hero and has appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” twice.

PJ Library books slated to arrive next month

Jewish children in Greater Dallas will soon receive free, age-appropriate Jewish-content books each month. Any Jewish child from 6 months through 6 years old can be enrolled to receive the books in the mail.
“There’s no catch, no hidden agenda; the books are free,” said Meyer Denn, executive director of the Center for Jewish Education (CJE) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. “These are beautiful books that will enhance the Jewish life of any young family.”
It’s all part of The PJ Library, an international program created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in Massachusetts, implemented in partnership with more than 140 communities throughout the United States, Canada and Israel. More than 75,000 books are mailed each month. “PJ” stands for pajamas. PJ Library books turn snuggly bedtime moments into Jewish moments.
Every month, a child will receive a book or music CD in the mail. The books are beautifully illustrated and are about Jewish holidays, values and folk tales. They come with reading guides to help parents discuss and participate in activities with their children around the themes found in the books.
“The Harold Grinspoon Foundation pays for about 60 percent of the cost of this amazing program,” said Denn. “The Mankoff Family Foundation will pay the rest because we think it’s important to get young Jewish families off to a great start. You do not have to be a member of a synagogue, or any Jewish organization to get PJ Library books. This is for everyone—members, non-members, two Jewish parents or inter-faith couples.”
Watch your mailbox in the coming weeks for a sample PJ Library book and information on how to sign up. Co-chairs of this initiative are Julie Liberman and Joy Mankoff.
For more information, contact Rivae Balkin-Kliman, PJ Library community coordinator, at 214-239-7193, rbalkinkliman@jfgd.org, or visit www.pjlibrary.org for more information.

David Eisenberg takes the reins as Bnai Zion Texas region president

David Eisenberg, a long-time supporter of Bnai Zion, was recently elected as the new president of the Texas region. He follows Larry Strauss, the Texas region president for many years, who helped establish Bnai Zion in Dallas as one of the leading Zionist organizations in the city. David said, “Larry left me a big pair of shoes to fill, and with the help of the board and supporters, I am sure our region will continue to grow.” Avrille Harris-Cohen, Bnai Zion Texas regional director, noted that, “David is a wonderful supporter of Bnai Zion and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity.” Larry Strauss will continue to serve on the board as chairman.

Business Scene:

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA), a subsidiary of insurance broker Marsh Inc., announced it has acquired Prescott Pailet Benefits LP (PPB), a $6 million employee benefits broker based in Dallas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Formed in 2006 by the combination of Prescott Benefit Services and Pailet Financial Services, PPB offers a diversified mix of health, life, dental and disability products to a wide range of organizations. PPB will operate within MMA’s Southwest regional hub created by the November 2009 acquisition of Houston-based Insurance Alliance, further enhancing MMA’s depth and expertise in employee benefits in the region. All of PPB’s leadership and employees will join MMA and continue their longstanding support of and commitment to philanthropy in the Dallas area, including a continued commitment to the Jewish community.
“Prescott Pailet Benefits is an excellent addition to Marsh & McLennan Agency and is consistent with our overall strategy to acquire high-quality local talent and expertise to expand the resources available to our clients,” said Dave Eslick, chairman and CEO of MMA. “These complementary acquisitions are an essential component of MMA’s strategy to become one of our industry’s preeminent national firms primarily serving the employee benefit and property and casualty needs of companies across the United States.”
“I’m thrilled that Prescott Pailet Benefits will become part of Marsh & McLennan Agency’s Southwest hub,” said Woody Woodard, CEO of MMA’s Southwest operations. “The addition of PPB’s talented leadership and benefits team will enhance our ability to offer a full spectrum of property, casualty and employee benefit capabilities to our clients in the Southwest.”
“Becoming part of Marsh & McLennan Agency is the next step in the evolution of Prescott Pailet Benefits,” said Dan Prescott, principal of PPB. “Our clients will continue to enjoy the same high-quality service and care they’ve come to expect from PPB while benefiting from a broader array of capabilities and resources through MMA.”
PPB is the 11th acquisition MMA has made since November 2009.