By Sharon Wisch-Ray
It was with a great deal of pride that Alex and I watched our son Sam, a Levine Academy fifth grader, participate in the school’s Middle School Geography Bee last week. Sam was a last minute contestant. As runner-up for his class, he filled in for Sammy Silber, son of Sandy Silber and Dr. David Silber, who was home sick and unable to participate.
Following in his brother Benjamin’s footsteps, as a fierce geography competitor, Sam tied with Seth Sugerman, a sixth grader and son of Drs. Susan and Robert Sugerman for third place.
Also representing the fifth grade was Sammy Nurko, son of Becky Nurko and Dr. Carlos Nurko. Heather Kurtzman, daughter of Pam and Matt Kurtzman, also represented the sixth grade and was this year’s overall winner. Representing the seventh grade were twins Zach and Josh Rudner, sons of Lisa and Steve Rudner. Josh came in second place. Rounding out the field was eighth grader Steve Levine, son of Sylvie and Ian Levine. Each of the contestants earned their spot by winning for their grade level and class section.
Levine Head of School Mark Stolovitzky served as the moderator for the bee, while middle school social studies faculty, Lili Feingold, Rachelle Okowita and Nonie Schwartz were the judges. Kudos to everyone who participated and organized the contest. Some of those were mighty tough questions.
While we’re on the topic of Levine Academy, the school’s Early Childhood Center will hold an open house for the youngest of future students next week. From Monday, Jan. 23 through Friday Jan. 27 from 9 to 11 a.m., preschoolers and their parents can check out a variety of programs. Open to everyone, you can check out one day or all five. For more information contact Mireille Brisebois-Allen or Sheryl Feinberg at 972-248-3032.
Light the way to ‘Never Again’
The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center of Education and Tolerance will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day next Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend he annual candle vigil which will mourn the loss of each and every victim. Together with Rabbi Yitzak Cohen in the DHM/CET Garden of Remembrance and Tolerance, attendees will pray the Kaddish, read the names of victims, and light candles to illuminate the beauty of human beings once alive and vibrant.
DHMC/CET President and CEO Alice Murray writes, “We invite you to make this gathering special and personal. Come with your friends, your family, your children — those you hold most dear — to experience this intimate gathering of hope and remembrance. Bring your blankets to huddle close together in the safety of the garden seating. A candle will be provided for each of you to light as you read the name of a victim aloud. These names have not been spoken in so many years. The more people who attend, the more names we can recite, the more victims we can remember.”
Please RSVP by Jan. 24 to rsvp@dallasholocaustmuseum.org or 214-741-7500. The DHM/CET is located at 211 North Record St. and easily accessible by DART rail.
Intrafaith sisterhood brunch at Temple Shalom Jan. 29
Temple Shalom Sisterhood will host this year’s community intrafaith brunch at the synagogue, 6930 Alpha Road on Jan. 29. This year’s theme is “Women Helping Women.” Lyn Berman, executive director of Attitudes and Attire will be the featured speaker. Attitudes and Attire is a Dallas non-profit agency dedicated to promoting the personal growth for women seeking self-sufficiency. It’s unique program helps give women a fresh outlook and provides the tools to raise self-esteem and build confidence.
A&A’s core program consists of three workshops focused on self-esteem, communication skills and interview preparation and work ethic. A&A helps its clients with dressing for job interviews. On their initial visit, clients receive one suit with a coordinating blouse, scarf, handbag, jewelry and pantyhose. After their second workshop, clients are invited back to select a pair of shoes and receive a goodie bag filled with a variety of personal care items such as new cosmetics and toiletries. At their third dressing, clients are provided with additional business casual clothing to complement their wardrobe.
As part of the intrafaith brunch program, ladies are asked to bring gently used handbags and jewelry to donate to the A&A boutique. Cost of the brunch, which will be catered by A Taste of the World and supervised by Dallas Kosher, is $18. RSVP by Jan. 23, make checks payable to Temple Shalom Sisterhood and mail to: Julie Bradley, 6628 Missy Dr., Dallas, TX 75252. If you have questions call Julie at 214-417-3367.
Among the synagogues participating are Adat Chaverim, Anshai Torah, Beth El Binah, Beth Israel, Beth Torah, Chabad of Dallas, Chabad of Plano, Kol Ami, Ner Tamid, Nishmat Am, Ohev Shalom, Ohr HaTorah, Shaare Tefilla, Shearith Israel, Shir Tikvah, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Shalom and Tiferet Israel. It should be a wonderful morning of fellowship, good food and inspiring stories.
Hillel gathering at UTD
UTD Hillel will hold a lunch and planning meeting this Sunday, Jan. 22, from 12:30-2 p.m. Everyone knows of the importance of Hillel in the Jewish co-ed’s life. If you know of a Jewish student at UTD be sure to tell them to stop for lunch at the UTD Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies. Cost is free and parking passes are available by calling Helen Roth at 972-883-2100. Students planning to attend should RSVP to Helen ASAP.
Camp Ramah Darom meetings
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 25 and 26, Camp Ramah Darom director Geoff Menkowitz will be in Dallas to speak with prospective campers and their parents. Ramah Darom is one of the many camps under the auspices of the United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism and is located in the North Georgia Mountains just two hours north of Atlanta.
There will be three meetings on Tuesday. From 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. at Levine Academy, 18011 Hillcrest Road in North Dallas; From 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. at Anshai Torah, 5501 W. Parker Road Plano, and back at Levine Academy from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. You can also learn about the camp on Wednesday from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. at Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Avenue, Dallas and from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at Beth Torah, 720 Lookout Drive in Richardson.
Klein Internship Program deadline extended to Jan. 30
Applications are being accepted now through Monday, January 30 at 5 p.m. for the 2012 Klein Summer Internship Program of Jewish Family Service (JFS). This six-week internship program gives students the opportunity to work with non-profit agencies in the DFW area, matching each student’s individual interests and skills with the needs of the participating agencies. Students are considered for internships without regard to religion, race or ethnicity.
Students accepted into the program will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the community while gaining valuable work experience. For more information, please visit JFS online at http://www.jfsdallas.org/rabbi-gerald-j-klein-summer-internship-program. For questions contact Janine Pulman, director of Volunteer Services at jpulman@jfsdallas.org.
A call for good sports
Know of a Jewish high school athlete that is a stand-out in one or more sports? We are featuring these young men and women on our “Good Sports” page on the fourth issue of every month.
For more information or to submit a candidate, contact me at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com or 972-458-7283.
