By Sharon Wisch-Ray

I vividly remember meeting Thelma Vogel, of blessed memory. It was 1988, and I was in the midst of my self-designed gap year … learning more about the newspaper business while deciding what type of graduate school I’d attend the following fall.

Thelma, perfectly coiffed, was excited about the Dallas Jewish Coalition for the Homeless’ Childcare Project. She gave me a tour of the Alcove, housed at the Amelia Huvelle Childcare Center on South Ervay downtown. At the time, the Alcove was providing day care for 12 young children of homeless parents. It seemed like such a brilliant and simple idea: free the parents so that they could look for work and develop their job skills.
Also, I was affected by the number of Jewish organizations and their constituents that had come together to back the project. It was clear that Thelma and her co-chair, Doris Budner, at done yeomen’s service in translating the Alcove from a vision into reality.
In truth, I believe my visit to the Alcove and with Thelma pushed me a little further toward pursuing my master’s in social work. Once I began my studies, I often used the Dallas Jewish Coalition for the Homeless and the Alcove as shining examples of a myriad of social work principles.
Like everyone else, I was devastated when Thelma and her beloved husband, Phil, died in the Delta Flight 1141 plane crash on Aug. 31, 1988, a little more than 24 years ago. As the Alcove, later named the Vogel Alcove in Thelma and Phil’s memories, has flourished, it has always held a special place in my heart. So, when Vogel Alcove Auxiliary member Jackie Hoffman asked me if I’d plug its commemorative cookbook, “Recipes and Remembrances,” I was more than eager to oblige.
The cookbook is chalk full of recipes from members of the Jewish community and the community at-large, including local chefs Nick Barclay, Kent Rathburn, Francesca Norr and Tina Wasserman. The cookbook committee consisted of chair Debbie Gilbert, Katherine Albert, Mary Lee Broder, Regina Bruce, Dawn Budner, Terri Rohan, Julie Vicic and Wasserman.
The cookbook is $25 and can be purchased at KidBiz, 8408 Preston Center Plaza Dallas, 75225; Dive, 3404 Rankin Street Dallas, 75205 or The Toy Maven, 6025 Royal Lane Dallas, 75230. For an additional  $6 for shipping, it can be purchased online at www.vogelalcove.org/cookbook. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the children of Vogel Alcove.

Herzl Hadassah welcomes Rabbi Howard Wolk

The Herzl group of Hadassah will meet at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 10, in Conference Room A of the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road. Rabbi Howard Wolk, Jewish Family Service community chaplain, will discuss looking ahead to the year 5773.
All Hadassah members and guests are welcome. Lunch prepared by the Herzl board will be served. While there is no charge for the meeting or lunch, donations are appreciated.
Rose Biderman tells us that because of the holidays, there will be no meeting in October.

Rubin Kaplan AZA #841 celebrates 60 Years

Mazel tov to one of Dallas’ outstanding AZA chapters on celebrating its 60th anniversary this year — Rubin Kaplan AZA #841.
Kaplan AZA has won numerous programming awards in its 60-year history and boasts an extensive line of regional godolim (presidents), in addition to international executive board members. Kaplan AZA alumni are actively involved in the Dallas community and serve in many areas of leadership, community service and social advocacy.
This chapter was established on Aug. 25, 1952, in loving memory of Cantor Rubin Kaplan.
Reuven (Rubin) Isaiah Kaplan was born Aug. 15, 1888, and died Jan. 29, 1951, in Houston. In 1906, he left Russia and arrived at the Port of Galveston. He is listed in the Galveston Immigration Database as “Rubin Kaplan, a butcher.” Kaplan later became a cantor, and he chanted at both Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas and Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston. He and his wife, Razel, had four children.
The current executive board of Kaplan consists of Greyson Rubin, godol; Mitchell Morris, s’gan; Lee Allen, Adam Konig and Adam Singer, morim; Gary Levine and Adam Steinbrecher, sh’lichim; Hayden Simon and Matthew Singer, mazkirim; and Sam Bennett and Jake Mailman, gizborim. Adviser is Brandon Strull.
Four Kaplan members serve on the regional board. They are: Mika Stein, regional godol; Max Schnitzer regional moreh; Cody Strull, regional mazkir and Elie Allen, regional gizbor.

Save the Dates

• The Dallas Holocaust Center/Museum for Education and Tolerance will honor Don Glendenning with its Hope for Humanity Award on Oct. 30 at The Fairmont Dallas. For ticket or sponsorship information contact Maria MacMullin, senior director of advancement at mmacmullin@dallasholocaustmuseum.org.

• At 11:15 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, the Legacy Senior Communities will host the Yes! Event, benefitting the Legacy Preston Hollow. Featured speakers will be Karen Katz, president and CEO of the Neiman Marcus Group, and Ken Downing, senior vice president and fashion director for Neiman Marcus stores. For information, visit thelegacyph.org/theyesevent.