By Sharon Wisch-Ray
If you were one of the 1,110 women at Monday’s Jewish Family Service Woman-to-Woman luncheon, then you probably walked away from the event feeling as though it was time well spent and money raised for a worthy cause. JFS serves our community in a myriad of ways — the food pantry, senior services, counseling and support groups and the employment resource center are but a few of its good works. I cannot imagine a better or more inspirational speaker than Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin. With her longtime interpreter Jack Jason at her side, Matlin delivered a speech tailor-made for the audience. She wove in her Jewish roots and her saychel about life and overcoming obstacles were self evident. Yasher koach to Event Founder Ethel Silvergold Zale; Co-Chairs Sara Efune, Eileen Franklin, Linda Garner, Dollie Thomas; and their capable committee, JFS President Todd Chanon, and Executive Director Michael Fleisher and his staff on a flawless afternoon.
Anshai Torah offers daily minyan
Anshai Torah’s daily minyan has taken hold at the Plano congregation. The synagogue’s Mike Egnal and Dr. Michael Pincus are the service staples and sparkplugs of the minyan, regrettably, initiated by the need for Dr. Pincus to say Kaddish for his parents. The egalitarian minyan, provides an opportunity for those reciting Kaddish, or for those wanting a daily place of introspection. The congregation is actively building a cadre of “minyanaires.” Welcoming regulars and guests to the services, all find an atmosphere of warmth and comfort that inspires members to participate and support each other. Shacharit, morning services, begin at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, 8 a.m. on Monday and 6:45 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. Afternoon Mincha and Maariv services begin at 6:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday and the congregation’s Sabbath services continue on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.
While the concept of prayer can be performed alone, it is the coming together that creates a community and, in Jewish law, a community of 10 Jewish adults is required for certain prayers, including the saying of Kaddish. The name for the prayer quorum, a minyan, comes from the Hebrew root of the word for to count. Each male or female of b’nai mitzvah age counts, toward the quorum, and a community is indeed built. Anshai Torah is located at 5501 West Parker Road. For more information, or to confirm times of services, call 972-473-7718 or e-mail anshai@anshaitorah.org.
NCJW to hold installation luncheon
The National Council of Jewish Women will hold its Installation Luncheon with guest speaker, Cecilia Boone on May 1 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
The theme of the NCJW annual Installation Luncheon is “Planting the Seeds of Our Future,” which reflects the sentiment of the upcoming celebration of the Greater Dallas Section’s 100th anniversary in 2013.
Robin Zweig, incoming president, said, “The Centennial gives us a great opportunity to communicate our success and our mission, while allowing us to recruit and revitalize our membership. We also want to take the opportunity to showcase NCJW’s programs and celebrate our leadership, commitment, and dedication of our members who contribute to improve the lives of women, children and families.”
Cecilia Guthrie Boone will be receiving the NCJW Pioneering Partner Award at the luncheon, and will be the keynote speaker. She is currently the chair of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and is a longtime leader in women’s issues, both locally and nationally.
Reservations can be made by calling the NCJW office at 214-368-4405, or online at www.ncjwdallas.org. Cost of the luncheon is $60, with sponsorship levels at $100 and $200.
Meet author Bobbie Kornblit
Bobbie Kornblit, daughter of Pauline Denur of Dallas, has written “Shelter from the Texas Heat,” a new novel with lots of local references. Bobbie, who now lives in Atlanta, will be doing a book signing on April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fossee’s Shoes, Preston Forest, because that’s where she bought her “rhinestone book tour boots,” she says. She’ll also be a presenter on June 5 in New York when the Jewish Book Council holds its annual “Meet the Author” event, attended by book fair and festival selection committee representatives from across the country. “Shelter” is available at the Temple Shalom gift shop and Amazon.com, and as an E-book.
Kick up your heels with Temple Emanu-El WRJ/Sisterhood
The most fun and exciting event of the year for Temple Emanu-El Women of Reform Judaism is comin’ round the bend as their biggest fundraising event of 2012! On May 6, WRJ will host “Boot Scootin,’ Bingo, BBQ and Brew:” a high-steppin,’ bingo-callin,’ Bar-B-Q-eatin’ and brew sippin’ extravaganza!
The Lake Highlands High School Wildcat Wranglers, a country western dance team, will also treat everyone to a special performance.
Net proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit Temple Emanu-El Early Childhood Education Center, religious school, scholarships to Greene Family Camp, NFTY Trips to Israel and other youth programs at Temple Emanu-El and in the community.
Various sponsorship levels are available. Individual event tickets are $72 each, which includes one dinner ticket and Bingo card. You can attend as an individual, a couple, or sponsor a full or partial table.
“Gold Rush” Raffle Tickets will also be available in advance for a chance to win $3,000 in North Park Gold. Tickets can be purchased for $50 or five for $200 from the Judaic Treasures Gift Shop at Temple Emanu-El. Only 300 tickets will be sold and you do not have to be present to win.
Childcare will be available at no charge by prior reservation to Debby Stein. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.tesisterhood.org, scroll down to the event name and click on it. Or, contact one of the event co-chairs: Debby Stein at 214-361-0842, debbystein@gmail.com or Denise Siegal at 214-679-9265, dssiegal53@gmail.com.
Two Dallas students named to American Hebrew Academy’s Honor Society
Akiba Academy student Ethan Fisher of Dallas, and Levine Academy student Shira Hovav of Dallas have been accepted into the esteemed American Hebrew Academy Honor Society. Ethan is the son of Laurel and Mark Fisher and Shira is the daughter of Diane and Shmuel Hovav. The Academy, America’s premier Jewish pluralistic college-prep boarding school, recently extended invitations to 60 students nationwide for admittance into its exclusive organization. Now in its third year, the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society is an international honor society that acknowledges exceptional eighth and ninth grade students, like Ethan and Shira, who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, leadership and service to their communities.
The Honor Society is modeled after the National Honor Society, receiving recommendations, applicant questionnaires and transcripts in an effort to identify the most outstanding young Jewish students in the U.S. and beyond.
Along with the other students who have been inducted into the Honor Society, Ethan and Shira were invited to attend a Scholars Weekend at the Academy from March 23-25. Shira was unable to attend the induction due to Levine Academy’s eighth grade trip to Israel. However, Ethan did attend with mom Laurel. He was presented with an award certificate designed by Mordecai Rosenstein during the induction ceremony.
“To be named a member of the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society is a great achievement,” says Mark Spielman, director of the Honor Society. “We look forward to meeting each of the honorees and following their successes as they make great contributions to our society.”
JCC will commemorate Earth Day on April 20
Don your green t-shirt and head to the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road, on Friday for a full schedule of earth day events.
A shredding truck from Action Shred will be in the parking lot from 8 a.m. to noon. There is no charge for the first five standard size business boxes (11×17 or smaller). Additional boxes are $2 per box, and an extra fee for boxes larger than 11×17; limit of 10 boxes per family. Please bring one can of non-perishable food for each box shredded, to be donated to the Jewish Family Service Food Bank.
Get transformed and your heart pumping from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the J Sports & Fitness Center. This hybrid class fuses 20 minutes of spinning, 20 minutes of TRX and 20 minutes of partner Med Ball drills to make those hearts go pitter-patter. Spin, balance and drill your way to fitness happiness.
In the spirit of Earth Day, the J group exercise team will move outside to the beat of the bongo drums from 9-10:30 a.m. This “quad” fusion class kicks off with Brenda’s spin on West African Nia. Then unleash yourself with some of Brandi’s dance moves which move you into Vickie’s heart-beating drumstick pounding and winding this sweat fest down with Chinook’s bongo inspired flow yoga drum circle finish. Meet at Lewis Fountain Park at the J.
What is TRX Suspension Training? You can discover the revolutionary method by leveraging your body weight to safely perform exercises building power, strength, flexibility and mobility. Join TRX-certified instructor Ben Williams for this introductory workout from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
From noon to 1 p.m., join the J Fitness Center where the music is up and there are stations for a one hour non-stop workout. Certified trainers will be on hand to lead participants through a variety of exercise stations.
From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. explore the new J Naturescape. Nature is important, not just to kids, but for everyone. See what a natural environment can do for your spirit. Meet in the J lobby learn about the Nature Movement.