By Sharon Wisch-Ray
If you are free tonight (Dec. 13) you can join the Dallas Jewish Historical Society for the first installment of the Andres Family Lecture Series, with historian Jeanne Abrams. She will discuss “Jewish Women Pioneering the Frontier Trail.”
Abrams is on the faculty of Penrose Library and the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Denver, as well as the director of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society and Beck Archives of Rocky Mountain Jewish History.
The free lecture begins at 7:15 p.m. at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road.
Rudberg receives a very special acceptance letter
We’ve all have been there: Waiting for the thick envelope from the college of one’s choice to arrive in the mail — or, in today’s digital age, the congratulatory e-mail. Can you imagine receiving that wonderful news in person?
Last week, Yavneh students were in for a special treat when Austin College president Marjorie Hass visited the Schultz-Rosenberg Campus. Hass entered the beit midrash and, after saying boker tov and before delivering her remarks, asked if senior Rachel Rudberg was in the room.
Rachel approached the podium, and Hass said, “We usually mail our letters of acceptance, but since I was visiting Yavneh today and your acceptance was ready to mail, I’m doing something I’ve never done before: I’m delivering your acceptance in person.”
What a remarkable moment for Rachel, daughter of Dora and Cary Rudberg, and the entire Yavneh community.
Hass spoke to the students about what to expect from college life and how it differs from high school. She also shared her own career path as a philosophy professor, provost and now college president.
Along with Collin College’s Cary Israel and Rice’s David Leebron, Hass is one of the few Jewish college presidents in Texas.
Former major leaguer Brown at Legacy next week
Programmer extraordinaire Bob Weinfeld stopped by this week to tell us that Dr. Bobby Brown, who had careers as a New York Yankees third baseman, a Fort Worth cardiologist and American League president, will speak Wednesday, Dec. 19 at The Legacy at Willow Bend in Plano.
Southwest Jewish Congress president Gil Elan will open the 2:15 p.m. event with his monthly update on Syria and the Middle East. Brown will speak at 3:30.
Brown played eight seasons with the Yankees and was instrumental in the Bronx Bombers’ World Series victories in 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1951, batting .439 in those four Fall Classic appearances.
He retired from baseball after the 1954 season, then spent more than 25 years in his Fort Worth medical practice. He came back to baseball in 1984 to serve 10 years as American League president.
The community is invited to the event, Weinfeld said.
Shearith will be aglow at teen party
Congregation Shearith Israel will host area teens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 for a Chanukah-themed party at the synagogue, 9401 Douglas Ave.
The glow party will include music, dancing, glow sticks, a latke bar and other refreshments. It is open to all Dallas/Fort Worth-area Jewish teens in grades 8-12. Admission is $5 (with the donation of two canned food items) or $10 without canned food items.
The canned food and a portion of admission proceeds will benefit the North Texas Food Bank. To RSVP, contact Stephanie Buch, CSI youth director at sbuch@shearith.org.
Jonathan Wilson earns five chess trophies
Akiba seventh-grader Jonathan Wilson cleaned up at the Texas Chess Association’s 16th annual Texas K-12 Grade Championships last month in Houston.
Jonathan brought home a total of five trophies. Among his accomplishments were a first-place finish for his overall grade level; first-place finishes in the Bughouse and Blitz speed chess competitions; and a most endearing first-place finish in the father and son tourney. Jonathan is the son of Joe.
Business scene
Tony Cassavechia has joined Munn & Morris Financial Advisors. Tony joined Munn & Morris after a long career in corporate finance with large, multi-national firms and, more recently, as a consultant to CFOs and their supporting teams.
He previously served as senior vice president with the Heinz Corporation and divisional vice president and CFO with PepsiCo.
Tony enjoys helping others, both as a consultant to business leaders and now extending his skills to individuals with their personal financial planning and wealth management. Tony is a CPA, has a Master of Business Administration, and recently completed a post-graduate certified financial planning program at SMU.
We would like to hear from our readers. Send your news and photos to me at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com, or Sharon Wisch-Ray, 7920 Belt Line Road, Ste 680, Dallas, TX 75254. You can also phone us at 972-458-7283. The TJP offices will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1 and will reopen on Jan. 2. All news items must be received no later than Dec. 18 to be included in the issue of Dec. 27; Dec. 20 for issue of Jan. 3.
