We are just back from a well-deserved week off here at the TJP. The staff is well rested and eager to get back in the saddle.
I had a revelation or two while I was basking in the glow of late evenings with friends and family and even later mornings in pj’s with our three boys. The first is I now know why chocolate babka was Seinfeld worthy. If you have a show about nothing, why not have a show about Babka, right?
My dear friend and talented hair stylist and make-up artist, Deanna Rozenblum dropped off a spectacular dessert just in time for Shabbat on Dec. 24. You guessed it, chocolate babka made by none other than Jackie Altman owner of Jackie’s Bread Basket — Artisan Challah Breads and Cakes. I’m sure Jackie can make the cinnamon babka as well, but I’m with Elaine on this one, go for the chocolate. If you are interested in a babka or a challah, you can reach Jackie at 972-249-5677.
Revelation number two, thank goodness for Weight Watchers and the JCC’s fitness center. New Year’s resolutions, here I come again.
Hundreds of singles rock the House of Blues
A rockin’ time was had by hundreds of Jewish singles at the JCC/Network’s 32nd Annual Matzoh Ball held at the House of Blues Music Hall on Saturday, Dec. 24th.
A big thank you goes out to Jody Martin and Robert Solimani who co-chaired this year’s event. Another thank you goes out to all the great committee members who promoted the event, worked the door and made it a huge success.
Mikey B was the DJ who rocked the house until 2 a.m. Since this year’s event fell on the fifth night of Chanukah, the candles were lit on the main stage and burned all night.
Attendees enjoyed taking fun pictures in the photo booth. Food was provided by Aderet, which included latkes, falafel, schnitzel’s, hummus and pita. The House of Blues was a great venue that provided plenty of space to mix, mingle and dance.
Thank you to Glazers for donating koozies for the occasion. Everyone that attended the event will also get a free profile on JDallas.org, a new matchmaking service run by Zvi Drizin of the Intown Chabad. Hopefully there were some matches made from this year’s event.
Ann And Nate Levine to be honored at Israel Bonds 2012 Prime Minister’s Club Gala
Ann and Nate Levine will be among the 14 distinguished recipients of the United Jerusalem Medallion, to be presented at the Israel Bonds Prime Minister’s Club dinner taking place Sunday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. at the Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida. The dinner is the traditional launching of the annual Israel Bonds campaign.
Bonds President and CEO Izzy Tapoohi, who will co-present the medallions — created to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification — praised the couple for “the exemplary leadership on behalf of Israel and causes of Jewish concern that has made them highly deserving of this honor.”
Dallas Jewish community leaders for 35 years, the Levines served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, JNF, Israel Bonds, and the Ann and Nate Levine Academy. Additionally, Ann served on the boards of Shearith Israel, the Dallas Women’s Foundation and Jewish Family Service. Nate, current chairman of Israel Bonds’ Southwest Region, was chairman of the Dallas chapter of AIPAC and a board member of ADL and the Dallas Holocaust Center. They also established the Levine Jewish Studies Chair at Southern Methodist University.
The dinner will be highlighted by an exclusive musical performance by Jason Danieley, winner of the Theater World, Drama League and Helen Hayes awards, and Karen Ziemba, recipient of the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
For additional information, contact the Dallas Israel Bonds office at 972-661-9191 or 800-877-4991.
Shalom Singles draws nice crowd
Also enjoying the opportunity to get together were Temple Shalom’s Singles group for folks from 40 to 60. The Temple Shalom Singles Mingle (Potluck Dinner and Chanukah Party) with wine, latkes, schmoozing, DJ and dancing was enjoyed by more than 60 area Jewish singles at the Pagewood Clubhouse.
Ovarian Cycle Ride is gearing up
Julie Shrell touched base this week and shared that the plans for Ovarian Cycle Ride to Change the Future are off to a good start. The innovative spin bike fundraiser will be held in the JCC’s Zale Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m on Feb. 19.
At press time, Julie tells us that 155 riders have registered for the event and more than $55,000 has been raised. There is still room for more riders as well as vendors for simultaneous vendor fair.
For more information, e-mail Julie Shrell or her co-chairs Jill Bach and Helen Gardner at ovariancycledallas@gmail.com or to donate, or register to ride, visit ovariancycledallas.org.
Make new friends, but keep the old
It is that time of year, when Jewish camps are making the rounds, and parents of first time and seasoned campers alike are considering their decisions for summer.
My kids go to Echo Hill Ranch, the same camp I went to as a kid for over a decade. If you were an Echo Hill rancher, and haven’t been there for sometime, I can tell you that things haven’t changed too much in the little green valley deep in the southland (aka the rolling hills of Medina, Texas). The camp is still owned by the Friedman family, now run by Roger Friedman and his wife Roz Beroza. Counselors are still performing the same skits on Counselor’s Night — Titanic, Pillow Case Skit Night, Tall Tale Night, cook-outs at Bigfoot and camper run Shabbat services are still standard evening program fare. It’s simple, fun, engaging, electronics-free and my kids love it.
If anyone is interested in learning more about Echo Hill or getting together with old camp friends, feel free to join us at our home, 7319 Elmridge Dr. on Jan. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. for the annual Echo Hill Reunion. For more information, feel free to phone me at 214-507-2662.
I know there are more camp get togethers planned soon. If you’d like to share an event or a fond camp memory, e-mail me at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com.
Register now for Temple Shalom softball
The irrepressible and dynamic Bob Weinfeld stopped by the TJP offices just prior to our holiday hiatus to spread the word about Temple Shalom Brotherhood’s 2012 softball league.
The league which began in 1975, has grown from a mere 60 players then, to more than 200 players now who enjoy an 11 week doubleheader schedule on Sunday mornings at Heritage Yards Softball Complex in Plano.
The minimum age to play is 18 and registration is underway now at www.shalomleague.org. It is important to register soon, as new player evaluations will begin on Feb. 12 and you must be registered by Jan. 18 to participate in the league. If you have any questions, please call Commissioner Wayne Casper at 214-507-4920.
Scientist at Herzl Hadassah
Thank you to Rose Biderman who shared news about next week’s Herzl Hadassah meeting. Members and guests will hear Dr. Matthew Goldberg of UT Southwestern Medical School who will speak about his research on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases at our re on Monday, January 9 in the Senior Assembly Room at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road. The meeting will start promptly at 10 a.m. Coffee and cake will be served.
Rose says, “Our canned food drive for the Jewish Family Service will be held, so don’t forget to bring a can or two. Also, plans for our annual Lifesaver Luncheon in March will be discussed and, if you wish, tickets may also be purchased.”
Send me your news
I love hearing from our readers! E-mail me at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com, or feel free to touch base by phone at 972-458-7283 or by snail mail, 7920 Beltline Rd. #680, Dallas, TX 75254.
