By Sharon Wisch-Ray

When I started out this week’s column, I was a little worried. With summer upon us, I had a little extra space to fill, and let’s face it, summers can be a bit slow for our Dallas Doings column (and Around the Town for that matter).
I must say, however, I’m loving this week’s column because it is exactly what my hope Dallas Doings can be on a week-to-week basis … a little of this … a little of that and a lot of input from our readers!

TJP managing editor garners awards

Right off the bat, I’d like to recognize our own Dave Sorter, managing editor, here at the TJP. You might remember that when I introduced Dave to you back in May, I mentioned that he was an award-winning journalist. Well, our Dave has earned more top honors just this week from the Texas Press Association. Here’s the rundown: In Division 9 (medium-small weeklies) for his work at the Crowley Star last year, he earned first place in news writing, second place in general excellence and third place in three categories, headline writing, editorial writing and sweepstakes. In Division 10 (small weeklies), for the Joshua Star, Dave earned a first place in editorial writing. Kudos to Dave, and I’m making some room on the office mantle for our slew of awards that Dave is sure to earn for the TJP, which incidentally would fall into the medium-large weekly category.

Chef Idalee Cathcart named 2012 Pastry Chef of the Year

We receive many press releases here in the office, mostly by email, some by snail mail. Oftentimes this is a true lesson in Jewish geography, as I don my Sherlock Holmes cap and verify the bona fides of the person or event on tap to see if it “qualifies” for our pages. Recently, I received a notice from the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Chefs Association, naming Idalee Cathcart as its 2012 Pastry Chef of the Year.
I tracked Idalee down at her home in Terrell, Texas, and exchanged some emails with her. I always feel a tad bit awkward asking someone if they’re Jewish or not, but we are a Jewish paper after all. Idalee responded, “It is kosher to move forward with the release, I am Jewish, Baruch Hashem.”
That prompted a “mazel, mazel” from me. I was thrilled when Idalee dropped by our Belt Line Road office recently and shared some more about herself. She is the owner of L’Dor V’Dor Confections and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. She and her husband, Doug, are members of Tiferet Israel and have lived in Texas since 1992.
For the past eight years, Idalee has learned Torah weekly with a study partner from Brooklyn, N.Y. “We discuss the weekly parashah, read Hebrew together, and she answers most of my questions of which, being Jewish, I have many.” Idalee can often be seen baking in the Tiferet kitchen as well.
When she dropped by here, she was wearing her L’Dor V’Dor chef coat. I remarked to her that must be a conversation starter in Terrell. She quipped, “they all think it’s French.”
Idalee will receive a commemorative plaque at the 2012 State Chefs Association Convention President’s Dinner Aug. 4 in Tyler.

Louis and Lane Kent Glazer Social Hall dedicated

Congregation Ohev Shalom’s social hall isn’t new, but it has a new name as of two weeks ago — the Louis and Lane Kent Glazer Social Hall.

The Lane Kent Glazer Social Hall was built in 2002 after Glazer’s death. His parents, Louis and LaRue, family and friends attended a memorial service and became better acquainted with the Far North Dallas Orthodox shul and its congregants.
After the services, Louis wanted to know what could be done to memorialize his son. When informed the shul needed an expanded social hall, the Glazers enthusiastically agreed. Plans were drawn up, a builder was hired and funds were provided from family and legions of friends.
Louis died recently, and the shul decided to rename the social hall to also honor him. Rabbi Aryeh Rodin symbolically affixed Louis’ name over the entrance at last week’s dedication ceremony.
The social hall has allowed the shul to play host to weddings, bar/bat mitzvah celebrations, and other sit-down functions. Over the years it has provided a place for people to come together and share meaningful milestones and significant events with family and friends, Rodin said.
“We feel that it is so appropriate to join Louis’ name with Lane’s,” Rodin said. “They were so close during life, and this helps continue their legacy in a most meaningful manner. The first Shabbos after the renaming of our hall, we celebrated a beautiful bar mitzvah Kiddush followed by a luncheon. Louis and Lane receive merit from above for these festivities as well as all such events that take place in our social hall. ”

Rashi USY brings home big awards from regional convention

Rashi USY, the youth group for high schoolers at Congregation Beth Torah, won the lion’s share of awards at the annual regional convention earlier this month in Houston, while two of its members were elected to leadership positions.

The Beth Torah group was named Chapter of the Year by the Southwest Region of United Synagogue Youth, while Jeremy Duchin was elected the regional president for the 2012-2013 year. His Rashi colleague Freda Coren won the post of regional communications vice president.
“We’re so proud of everyone in our chapter,” said adviser Melissa Duchin, who was named regional Adviser of the Year. “We have a long tradition at Beth Torah of wonderful kids who combine a meaningful Jewish experience with a lot of fun. This group has continued that legacy in a big way.”
At the awards banquet culminating a three-day convention at the Marriott Westchase Hotel, Rashi – named for an 11th Century Jewish sage – also won these honors:

• Social Action Vice President of the Year, Haley Hogan.

• Programming/Israel Affairs Vice President of the Year, Richard Stayman.

• Best Chapter Board Event.

• Best Overnight Event.

• Member of the Year, Jeremy Duchin.

Two other Dallas-area USY members — Liora Zhrebker of Shearith Israel and Gabby Kasner of Anshai Torah – also were named to the regional executive board.
The Southwest Region of USY encompasses Conservative synagogues in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, and Rashi alumnus Maury Jacobs is the regional youth director.

News and notes

• Congregation Shearith Israel will kick off some creative Shabbat summer programming this weekend. The “bar” will open following Shabbat morning services at both the main campus (9401 Douglas Ave.) and Beit Aryeh (Ann and Nate Levine Academy, 18011 Hillcrest Rd.). For information, contact Mona Allen, 214-939-7318 or mallen@shearith.org. Other fun Shabbats at Shearith this summer will be on July 21 at Beit Aryeh for Hoop it Up Shabbat, and on Aug. 4 at both locations, Wings and Things Shabbat. Join the Shearith community for worship and a creative way to spend Shabbat morning.

• DATA’s Rabbi Bentzi Epstein will once again hold his summer class, Spirituality 101, at 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, July 11 to July 25. And, if you can break away on short notice, there is a challah baking class at 8 p.m. today at Central DATA, 5840 Forest Lane. If you’ve wanted to learn about the mitzvah of challah baking, this class is for you. To RSVP, contact Atara at 443-558-8302 or Aliza at 845-608-2666.

Now that’s what I call a fun column! Let me hear from you. Send your news to me at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com or by snail mail. I love to hear from our readers.