By Sharon Wisch-Ray
In general, we don’t cover stories ourselves on Shabbat, but we always welcome submissions from our readers. Dr. Richard and Rozelle Gilman were kind enough to share news about a special Shabbat dinner at their Richardson home last Friday, June 1.
It was the result of a Rotary Fundraising Gala live auction item titled “An Intimate Shabbat dinner with Brad Sham, Voice of the Dallas Cowboys,” which was purchased by Glen and Vickie Campbell for $900. The proceeds went to Rotary’s World Polio Eradication project. Glen is president of the Prestonwood Rotary Club in North Dallas.
While Rozelle prepared a sumptuous Shabbat dinner, Richard fired up the bar. The highlights of the evening, however, were Sham’s stories and revelations about Dallas Cowboys players, coaches and owners, and the policies, politics and issues surrounding pro football and other sports.
When there was a brief lull in sports topics, Brad shared stories about his recent interfaith tour of Israel, which involved 40 congregants of Temple Emanu-El and 40 congregants of Wilshire Baptist Church. They visited all the holy sites together with discussions from Rabbi David Stern and Rev. George Mason.
Sham, in appreciation of his service as celebrity guest, was honored as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow on the spot, representing an additional $1,000 donation to Rotary’s “End Polio Now!” campaign
Rotary Club members in 180 countries have been working to eradicate polio around the world. Through their good works, the number of countries with the live virus has been reduced from 125 in 1985 to only three countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria) last February. More than 1 billion children have received the vaccine.
Thank you to the Gilmans for sharing their unique Shabbat experience last week. Do you have a Shabbat or chavurah experience you’d like to share with the community? Send them my way at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com
Andrew Fields: a budding filmmaker
Andrew Fields, son of David and Julie Fields and a rising senior at Greenhill School in Addison, is no stranger to film festivals. Since March, Fields’ films have been featured in several festivals, one of which won at Austin’s South by Southwest (SXSW).
Out of 23 high school films accepted, Fields’ “Boom,” co-directed by fellow Greenhill students Daniel Matyas and Brian Broder, won the SXSW Jury Award, Texas High School Shorts competition (you can read more about Matyas, who recently graduated from Greenhill on Page 23 of this week’s issue). The film was produced as a part of an assignment in which students, mentored by artist Trenton Doyle Hancock (who produced artwork at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington), were allowed to utilize only $15 worth of objects. The students completed the film in two days.
In addition to “Boom,” Fields co-directed “Plasticine Dream,” with Greenhill student Samantha Fine. “Plasticine Dream,” also accepted into South by Southwest, brings the lives of clay figures turn into a reality.
Fields’ film “Knit Picky” also transforms everyday objects into living creatures. “Knit Picky,” produced and directed by Fields under the pseudonym Bobby Jorgenson, was presented at SXSW and the Los Angeles Film Festival. The film utilizes sock puppets as a means to delve into greater concepts such as bullying, racism and exclusion.
All three of Fields’ films — “Boom,” “Plasticine Dream” and “Knit Picky” — were featured in the Dallas International Film Festival.
To watch the videos, visit www.vimeo.com and search by film name.
New stamp club officers
The Israel Stamp Club, Society of Israel Philatelists Dallas Chapter has named its slate of new officers.
Assuming the role of chapter president is Lawrence Goldman; Gordon Cizon is treasurer. Re-elected are Bob Partegas, vice president; Gerald Vaiser, secretary; and Don Weitz, media specialist. This election was prompted by the sudden and unexpected passing of Arnold Paddock, the organization’s long-time president.
Members of the Israel Stamp Club collect stamps and special issues of many countries, including Israel, and meet monthly at the Aaron Family JCC.
The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, June 18. Guest speaker will be Perry Denton, program chair of the Dallas-Park Cities Philatelic Society. He will discuss “Stamps at the Back of the Book.” Guests are always invited to attend.
DATA raffle features $10,000 Bachendorf’s gift card
Dallas Area Torah Association in is the midst of its annual spring scholarship raffle, which benefits myriad programs and classes sponsored by DATA throughout North Texas. This year’s grand prize is a $10,000 gift certificate to Bachendorf’s Fine Jewelers.
Rabbi Nasanya Zakon told me at press time that plenty of tickets are available and there are price breaks for purchasing more than one ticket.
The drawing will take place on June 20. To purchase tickets visit, www.formsite.com/ArtGillis/form801347880/secure_index.html. For information, call DATA at 214-987-3282.
News and notes
• The Frisco Gan, a mother’s day out program serving the North Collin County and run by Chabad of Plano/Collin County, has just completed its first year of programming.
A third day will be added this fall, and the Frisco Gan will have a special summer camp from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout July. The program is geared for children 18 months to 2½ years old.
For information, contact Rivkie Block or Tia Sukenik at 972-596-8270 or visit www.thefriscogan.com.
• Basketball guru and skills development coach Tayler Faust will conduct basketball skills development training at the J, 7900 Northaven Road this summer.
Players will take part in sessions consisting of precise skills, drills, and stations aimed at improving scoring skills and techniques. Following the skill work, players will be placed in game-specific situations to implement and incorporate the new skills learned during that day’s session.
Each session will open with a brief recap of skills learned the previous week and no two sessions will be the same. Cost is $20 per session for J members and $30 for non-members.
Classes will be held from 4:45-6 p.m. Each day is separated by grade level: Mondays (grades 4-6), Tuesdays (grades 7-8), Wednesdays (grades 9-10) and Thursdays (grades 11-12).
For information contact Faust at tfaust@jccdallas.org or 214-239-7175.
