As y’all may have noticed and as I shared a few columns ago, I’ve been trying out a new approach to the Dallas Doings column, an effort to make it a bit more personal and chaimish. I’m enjoying the process, and I hope you are too. From time to time, I’ve included some observations about this and that, and I am always hopeful that I get the story right. Last week, I shared the amazing bar mitzvah of Aaron Minsky and how multiple generations of the Minsky family were involved in all facets of the celebration. To my chagrin, I neglected to mention that Aaron’s beloved paternal grandmother Lynn Minsky and his first cousin Evan Lacher (son of Debbie Lacher and Rick Lacher) also read Torah at the simcha. With four family members in addition to Aaron sharing the reading of his Torah portion, you can imagine what an impact the experience was. My apologies to the Minskys and Lachers, all longtime subscribers for the inadvertent goof.
Raising Awareness for younger onset Alzheimer’s
Speaking of mistakes, back in October, another longtime subscriber, Hanna Beren, sent me an item about her son-in-law, Phil Sosnick. I misfiled the item, and would like to share it with you now.
Sadly, Phil was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease five years ago at the young age of 64, known as younger-onset or early onset. Phil’s wife Julia, his full-time caregiver. (Hanna and Carl Beren’s daughter) has made a positive out of a negative, by becoming committed to educating folks on younger onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
It’s estimated that about half a million Americans younger than age 65 have some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Prior to the Oct. 29 annual Memory Walk, Phil’s Elite Friends, formed to fundraise for Alzheimer’s awareness had raised more than $13,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association, South Florida Chapter.
On Aug. 19, 2011 Phil’s Elite Friends held an appreciation luncheon at Calder Casino Race Course to give thanks to its supporters. Well-known Miami philanthropist Bunny Bastian helped to make the luncheon possible, and Phil’s Elite Friends was honored by having a horse race named after the team.
Although the Memory Walk has passed, you can still make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, South Florida Chapter in support of Phil’s Elite Friends Florida at 6447, Miami Lakes Drive East, Ste 101, Miami Lakes, FL, 33014. To donate locally to the Alzheimer’s Association, send checks to 4144 North Central Expressway, Ste 750, Dallas, TX 75204, or you can donate online at www.alz.org.
Like most people, I have been touched personally by the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s watching the disease claim the lives of both my father-in-law and beloved uncle. As the charitable giving season is upon us, I encourage you to consider this worthy cause.
TTI receives challenge grant
Rabbi Yaacov Cohen dropped us a line to let us know that Texas Torah Institute has been given the opportunity to raise some additional funds by year’s end through a challenge grant. A few donors have put together a pool of $25,000. They will match donations to TTI dollar for dollar between now and Dec. 31. To make a contribution to the campaign visit www.texastorah.causevox.com.
Brinker to receive coveted award at URJ Biennial
Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, will receive Reform Judaism’s highest honor at the 2011 Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Biennial convention on Thursday morning, Dec. 15.
Ambassador Brinker will receive the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award for Service to the World Community. Named in memory of Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath, the executive director and president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations from 1943 – 1973, this award is the highest honor bestowed by the Reform Movement.
Every two years at the URJ Biennial, the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award is conferred in two categories: Service to Reform Jewry and Service to the World Community. Rabbi Richard Hirsch, who has been called the architect of Reform Zionism and the world-wide movement for Progressive Judaism, will receive the Eisendrath Award for Service to Reform Jewry.
Nancy G. Brinker is regarded as the leader of the global breast cancer movement. Her journey began with a promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything possible to end the shame, pain, fear and hopelessness caused by this disease. In one generation, the organization that bears Susan’s name has changed the world.
Brinker founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982 and Komen for the Cure is now the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
Today, the organization has invested more than $1.9 billion in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.
Brinker’s creativity in raising awareness led to programs that at the time were revolutionary: In 1983, she founded the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer.
She also pioneered cause-related marketing, allowing millions to participate in the fight against breast cancer through businesses that share Komen’s commitment to end the disease forever.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s unwavering advocacy for breast cancer survivors led to new legislation and greater government research funding.
To date, virtually every major advance in breast cancer research has been touched by hundreds of millions of dollars in Komen for the Cure funding.
“Few people in our society have had the impact of Ms. Brinker,” said URJ President Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie. “She began with a single caring act and then created a mechanism that literally has changed our world and the lives of millions of people. She exemplifies the values of caring, compassion, and mentshlikeit that are at the heart of Jewish tradition. We are proud to bestow upon her Reform Judaism’s highest honor.”
Grants available Jack and Lois Kravitz Fund for Leadership Development of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation
The Jack and Lois Kravitz Fund for Leadership Development of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation was established to enhance the development of lay and professional leadership in Dallas. Jack served as executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas from 1943 to 1973. The fund was established in 1984 by many friends of the Kravitzes (of blessed memory, (in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary).
The purpose of the Fund is to foster leadership development of volunteers in Dallas Jewish communal activities. This purpose will be achieved through varied and flexible means. Support may be given to programs in Dallas dedicated to the subject of volunteer leadership training. Local or outside experts, lay or professional, may be involved in these programs. Funds may also be used to enable individuals, lay or professional, to undertake special training in volunteer leadership development.
Organizations are invited to submit a proposal for a creative project, which is in line with the purpose of the Fund. Please download the application and attachment A at www.djcf.org, complete an email to nshovar@jdcf.org on or before December 30, 2011. If there is additional information you wish to include, please email to nshovar@djcf.org or mail to: Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, 7800 Northaven Road, Dallas, Texas, 75230-3296. Your request must be presented in the form provided for consideration by the Committee.
Committee members are: Shirley Rovinsky, chair, David Beer, Linda Blasnik, Cathy Brook, Richard Glazer, Murray Johnson, Robin Sacks, Rena Silverberg, Morris Stein and Andrea Weinstein.
If you have any question about whether a project is suitable, please contact Marna Edenson at the Foundation, 214-615-5278.
Business Scene
Last month, Glazer’s, Inc. announced that it signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Victor L. Robilio Company, Inc. (“Robilio”). Robilio distributes wine, spirits and specialty items in Memphis, Tennessee for many national suppliers, including Diageo, Pernod Ricard, William Grant, Heaven Hill, Skyy Spirits, Treasury Wine Estates, Banfi, Constellation, Kobrand and Winebow. Consummation of the acquisition is subject to normal and customary conditions and approvals.
Glazer’s President and CEO, Sheldon “Shelly” Stein, stated, “Glazer’s is excited about our acquisition of Robilio and the closing of the transaction. Our overall corporate strategy is to aggressively expand our footprint in the beverage distribution business and, when this acquisition is complete, Tennessee will be our 13th state in which we do business. Scott Rawlings, currently President of Glazer’s Arkansas, will assume management responsibility for Tennessee upon completion of the transaction.”
Robilio President, Victor L. Robilio, Jr., said, “We are excited to become part of Glazer’s and are happy to be working with Shelly, Scott and the entire Glazer’s management team. We believe in representing products of the highest quality and marketing them with persistence, great customer service and pride. We know that Glazer’s shares this same philosophy and we’re excited about our future growth together.”