By Sharon Wisch-Ray
Peter Goldstein, licensed architect and educator at Dallas’ Skyline High School, received a Distinguished Fulbright Award in Teaching grant, and he will be one of 20 U.S. citizens going abroad through this program during the current academic year.
He will study at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, while working with high school students there to map the architectural, historical and topographical features of their home city.
Goldstein has taught for 12 years in the Dallas ISD magnet architecture program at Skyline, where he was named Teacher of the Year. His work, with that of his students, has been included in many publications and featured in the Dallas Museum of Art’s 2011 exhibition, “Sculpting Space: 299 Chairs.”
“Mapping a Sense of Place” is the name of Goldstein’s South African project. Through it, “I hope to open doors for students into the architecture and design professions, and encourage understanding of the diverse and multi-cultural cities of today’s world,” he said.
As he works in the university’s School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, he also intends “to investigate the relationship between architecture and place, and create a multi-layered map of Cape Town that will provide a portrait of the city as seen through the eyes of its students.”
He explains: “My project builds on the idea that architecture is a universal language, a meaningful way to understand the people and institutions forming the fabric of our urban centers.”
After returning, Goldstein hopes to use his model to promote the mutual understanding of culture and place in Dallas.
Goldstein’s wife and son will travel with him. The family lives near White Rock Lake in Dallas; Michelle Brodsky Goldstein’s business, Goldstein Financial Future, is also located in the city.
“Because my world is financial planning grounded in U.S. law and taxation, I won’t be able to work with South Africans,” she said, but she will continue to serve existing clients using email and Skype.
She will also take a leave of absence from her current position, shared with Staci Mankoff, as vice president of financial development for the Dallas Section of the National Council of Jewish Women.
Son Zachary Sol Goldstein, 8, will attend Term 2, roughly third grade, in Cape Town’s Reddam House School.
The three Goldsteins will leave Dallas March 11. They’ll return four months later.
The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. government as an international educational exchange designed to increase mutual understanding with people of other countries.
Congratulations to the Goldsteins, and thanks to Harriet Gross for sharing the details of the award.
Pearlman Becomes Bridge Life Master
Allen Pearlman has reached the Life Master milestone, the highest ranking within the American Contract Bridge League, based on masterpoints.
Pearlman went over the top (more than 300 masterpoints) on Dec. 31, playing with frequent partner Marv Migdol. They were first overall in a special afternoon session, racking up 3.2 master points.
Bridge is actually Allen’s No. 2 hobby. No. 1 is model railroading.
Allen is married to Marilyn, and they’re long-time residents of Far North Dallas. A native of Brooklyn, he became a pharmacist before going to medical school.
The Pearlmans are members of Temple Shalom and The Joker’s havurah.
A bridge party honoring Allen will take place from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Bridge Academy of North Dallas, 12250 Inwood Road in Dallas. The lunch buffet will be followed by bridge at 12:30 for those who want to stay and play.
Sports shorts
Congratulations to Aaron Moss, son of Mike Moss and Jill Chastens, who signed a national letter of intent to play football with Henderson State University on Feb. 6, National Signing Day.
Aaron has played linebacker and strong safety for the JJ Pearce mustangs. He totaled 90 tackles last season at J.J. Pearce High School, including 38 unassisted tackles and four tackles for lost yardage.
An all-District 9-5A selection, Aaron earned Defensive Player of the Week honors three times in 2012.
Henderson State is a public liberal arts university located in Arkadelphia, Ark. The Reddies compete in NCAA Division II Great American Conference.
Smart Cookie
Added congratulations to Mesorah High School for Girls senior Keren Moyal, daughter of Rabbi David and Irit Moyal of Dallas, who was named one of Texas’ 10 distinguished finalists by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a national program honoring middle level and high school students for outstanding volunteer service.
Keren raised $10,000 by recording two inspirational music CDs to support Camp Simcha at Chai Lifeline, a summer camp for children struggling with life-threatening illnesses.
Keren, who was inspired by her outreach with a young leukemia patient, Bekkie Floriana, also worked with Chai Lifeline to implement “Project Together,” a national program to match teenagers to young children struggling with their illnesses as a way to provide comfort and companionship.
Next year, Keren plans to attend a seminar in Jerusalem, (Machon Raaya), and then continue her college education, hopefully at Touro College in New York City. As a distinguished finalist, Keren received an engraved bronze medallion.
