By Sharon Wisch-Ray

It was great to see Janis Gail, Nancy Immerman and Myra Migicovsky at TJP headquarters this week. The trio diligently searched our archives for material for this year’s Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas’ Women’s Event, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Feb. 28, 2013.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Jean Chatzky, the financial editor for NBC’s Today show, an award-winning personal finance journalist, AARP’s personal finance ambassador, the host of “Money Matters with Jean Chatzky” on RLTV and author of several best-selling books.
The case for giving speaker will be Riki Mullu, who will share her inspiring story of immigrating to Israel from Ethiopia at age 12, in a top-secret effort organized by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Today, Riki’s parents, eight siblings and 45 nieces and nephews all live in Israel. It sounds like it is going to be a very meaningful evening.
As the crew researched its project, it occurred to me our readers might not know that a number of our full editions are fully searchable by keyword online, thanks to the University of North Texas. Did you know UNT has the largest Texas history collection in the area? Through the Portal to Texas History, you can research a number of topics.
The portal’s Digital Newspaper Program is growing and has more than 82,000 historical newspaper issues online, including full editions of the TJP beginning in 2005. Visit http://texashistory.unt.edu/search/. Ultimately, we hope to have our entire archive, from 1947 on, available at the portal.
Incidentally, our doors at 7920 Belt Line Road in Dallas are always open to folks who’d like to explore the history of the North Texas Jewish community through the TJP. Just give me a buzz at 972-458-7283 or drop me a line at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com to set it up.

Eric Migicovsky on life in Israel

While she was here, Myra mentioned that her son, Eric, was in Israel for a year, as an Israel Government Fellow, a one-year fellowship based in Jerusalem sponsored by The Menachem Begin Heritage Center and Masa Israel. As part of the program, he is working with the Israel Securities Authority as an economic analysis and research fellow, conducting economics and capital markets research.
Eric is blogging about his experience at the Times of Israel. His first entry, which he posted Dec. 2, can be read at http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-taste-of-war/. It is a fascinating and intense account of what its like to be an American Jew in Israel during the latest conflict.
Eric is a graduate of Levine Academy, Episcopal School of Dallas and Boston University.

Dallas native creates Chanukah book and doll

Just in time for Chanukah, Dallas native Cindy Dubner Hauk has created a Chanukah book and an accompanying doll called Kippah Kantor.

According to Hauk’s website, “Kippah Kantor is a doll that magically appears when kids and families do good deeds and make good choices. During the day, the Kippah Kantor watches the kids to see what they do right. Each night, all the Kippah Kantors get together and talk about how good their families are. But, they always make sure they come back and hide before the kids awake. Kippah Kantor is a great way to create memories that will last a lifetime as well as reinforce family values.”
There are many ideas on Hauk’s website, www.kippahkantor.com, for incorporating mitzvot into young children’s lives; there’s also other fun stuff, such as downloadable coloring pages, a maze, word search and crossword puzzle.
Kippah Kantor and the book, sold only as a package, are available online only.

Herzl Hadassah slates Vogel Alcove drive

Laurie Schulman of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will speak at Herzl Hadassah’s monthly meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10 in the conference room at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road.
Schulman will speak about “A Composer and His Music.”
Rose Biderman reminds members and guests to please bring donations of diapers, baby and children’s shoes, and other items for Herzl group’s annual Vogel Alcove drive. No toys please. All are welcome.

AJC will honor Maddy Unterberg with Tobian Award

Maddy Unterberg will be honored during the American Jewish Committee Dallas office’s Milton I. Tobian Award dinner at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 at the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field St. in Dallas.
The event will be among the first at the museum, which opened Saturday.
Unterberg, a former AJC Dallas president, will receive the Milton I. Tobian Community Relations Award for her long service to the organization and the Jewish community.
AJC national president Robert Elman and journalist Jeffery Goldberg, national correspondent for The Atlantic, will speak.
Cost of the dinner is $200, and sponsorships are available. For information, call 972-387-2943.

Spin Around the World

Congregation Shearith Israel is hosting a unique Chanukah event, Spin Around the World, which begins at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 16, at the synagogue, 9401 Douglas Ave.
The shul will celebrate Chanukah with multiple communities around the world. Among them are Akko, Israel; Mexico; Canada; and more. At 10 a.m., the chanukiah will be lit. Then, at 11 a.m., a simultaneous spin will take place with all the communities with which the shul has connected. Some communities are connecting via Facebook, and others will Skype into the celebration.
The hope is that with everyone spinning the dreidel at the same time, there may be a record to set. The event is free and will include food, face painting, a juggler and more activities for all ages. CSI will also collect tzedakah to help supply shelters in Israel.
Sounds like this is going to be a great event that really stresses the concept of achdut (the oneness of the Jewish people). Hope to see you there!

Journalist to speak at DHFLA meeting

Author/journalist Robyn Walensky will speak at the Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association’s 2012 annual meeting from 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 at Prestonwood Country Club, The Creek, 15909 Preston Road in Dallas.
Dietary laws will be observed at the seated breakfast, and no solicitation of funds will take place. The event is free to members; $15 for guests. A portion of funds donated will benefit the Children’s Safety Village.
Walensky will also have signed copies of her books available, including “Beautiful Life? The CSI Behind the Casey Anthony Trial” and “Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report 9-11-01.”
For information, email dhfla@sbcglobal.net, visit www.dhfla.org or call 214-696-8008.

Free Loan Association sells drawing tickets

The Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association is conducting a fundraising drawing, with prize packages ranging in value from $100 to $500.
Tickets cost $36 each; three for $100.
The packages are:

• A $500 gift certificate to Skibell Fine Jewelry.

• A set of three restaurant gift certificates to Al Biernat’s, Café Pacific and Sevy’s, valued at $300.

• A set of two restaurant gift certificates to Seasons 52 and Blue Mesa, valued at $200.

• A collection of Starbucks whole bean coffees, selection of teas and a variety of hot cocoa mixes, valued at $100.

The drawing will take place Friday morning, Dec. 14. To purchase tickets, visit www.dhfla.org.