By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn

Mazel Tov to Marilyn and Harrell Pailet, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 30.
The Pailets were honored by their children, Eric, Jeff and Summer, Kevin and Mahra, David and Sarah, as well as their six grandchildren (and counting) with a celebratory toast on June 29. Approximately 80 guests attended the celebration, including Harrell’s brother, Sanford Pailet of New Orleans.
Eileen and Aaron Kreisler shared the simcha, and interestingly enough, share the same wedding day (and year). With a chuppah and flowers, Rabbi Hillel Silverman performed both ceremonies at Congregation Shearith Israel at 12 and 6 p.m.
The celebration was especially significant for Summer Pailet, who had just returned from a JWRP (Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project) in Israel, presented Marilyn and Harrell with a special side-by–side photo frame and story from her journey in Israel three days earlier.
While in Israel, Summer’s group performed the mitzvah of selecting a letter for a Torah which was being commissioned in Israel. Summer selected a nun, which has the numerical value of 50, in her in-laws’ honor. Summer shared that throughout her week at the Kotel, she found a comfortable place and could always see two white doves perched upon the Western Wall, which seemed to symbolize the beautiful relationship that Marilyn and Harrell share.

Free family program at The Tycher Library on July 28

A recent flyer from The Tycher Library caught my eye with its clever caption: “Ahoy Vey!”
As I continued to read the flyer, I noticed that the lead end sentence asked a question that I had not pondered before: “Did you know that Jewish sailors were among the first pirates to sail the Seven Seas?”
Most of us grow up with myths, nursery rhymes and the like, but this gave me pause because as a child, I’d never thought of “Jewish Sailors and Pirates.”
The Tycher Library will launch its second annual free family program from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 28 at The Tycher Library in the Mankoff Center for Jewish Learning on the second floor of the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northhaven Road.
Parents and their children are invited to attend the program and embark upon a journey filled with adventure and treasure.
After meeting in the Tycher Library for a story and activity, the rest of the venue will include a treasure hunt at the JCC pool. All buccaneers should come to the library wearing their bathing suits (bring a towel and a parent).
For additional information, please RSVP to Nina Goldboro at 214-239-7132, or ngoldboro@jfgd.org by July 24. The event is a free family-friendly program aimed at children ages 6-12, but welcoming to all. Remember, children must be accompanied by an adult to attend the entire program.

JCC welcomes new director of sports and fitness to Dallas

Jilliane Bowser, athlete, trainer and coach, seems to possess all the qualities needed to be the next director of sports and fitness at the JCC of Dallas.
Jilliane hails from Indiana where she held the position of director of campus recreation, adjunct professor as well as personal trainer at Indiana Wesleyan University. She supervised 3,300 resident and commuter students, 600 faculty and staff and 200 community members.
She holds a master’s of science in exercise science – performance enhancement and injury prevention. Jilliane is one of the leading sports and fitness professionals in the field. She has an extensive background in wellness, sports recreation and youth fitness.
In addition, she was the race director for the Hodson Half Marathon, she is a certified exercise personal trainer, group fitness instructor, lifeguard, and member of the National Intramural- Recreational Sports Association.
Her coaching responsibilities included RJ Baskett Middle School sixth grade girls basketball in 2009; Malone College Women’s Tennis from 1998 to 1999; and Malone College Women’s Basketball from 1997 to 2000. We wish her well in her new position.

Rabbi William Gershon named Shalom Hartman Institute Senior Rabbinic Fellow

Rabbi William Gershon, senior rabbi at Congregation Shearith Israel of Dallas, was one of 28 rabbis named Shalom Hartman Institute Senior Rabbinic Fellows.
Graduates of the intensive three-year Rabbinic Leadership Initiative (RLI) program, who are all influential leaders in their synagogues, communities and the Jewish world, have engaged in the highest level of Jewish study focused on meeting contemporary challenges with ever-greater intellectual and moral sophistication.
Past and current RLI participants represent a broad range of religious, geographic and gender diversity. The pluralistic framework of the program creates a community of rabbis uniquely able to transform the lives of Jews in North America.
Participants spend a month each summer and a week each winter studying at The Hartman Institute campus in Jerusalem. During the remainder of each year, participants engage in weekly study with leading Hartman Institute scholars, learning classical and modern sources and developing ways to integrate this knowledge into their rabbinical work.
The Shalom Hartman Institute has made the advancement of rabbinic leadership a core mission since its inception almost 35 years ago.

What’s up at Camp Gan Israel?

With a reputation as a trendsetter in Jewish day camping, it can be daunting to provide innovative and original activities and trips each year. Maintaining the level of excitement, enthusiasm and spirit year after year, is a challenge Chabad of Plano’s Camp Gan Israel welcomes, according to Rabbi Menachem Block, its spiritual leader.
Gan Izzy’s counselors that are flown in from around the country are chosen from many applicants for their unique ability to combine a rousing good time with a love for Judaism within its campers. The bond between camper and counselor often extends throughout the year as campers communicate with their counselors long after the summer has ended.
Beyond the counselors’ contributions are the unusual trips and opportunities for Gan Izzy’s campers.
The first three weeks of camp has seen campers participate in a tour of Cowboy Stadium, Adventure Landing, Going CooCoo’s and The Heard Musuem. In addition, the oldest bunks have gone rock climbing and indoor surfing.
New this year, is a late night for campers in second grade and older. Children roller skated, had a cake decorating contest, played”Minute to Win It” and ate supper as a camp. The second late night will be happening the last week of camp.
This year, CGI has over 170 campers enrolled. Camp Gan Israel is located at the Lang Chabad Center in Plano and is a project of Chabad of Dallas/The Shul and Chabad of Plano /Collin County. Camp ends Friday Aug. 2, but one can still sign up on a weekly basis. For more information visit cgiplano.org or call the Camp office 972-596-8270.

Business Scene: Glazer’s introduces D&E Fine Wine Group

Glazer’s, Inc., one of the nation’s leading wine, spirits and malt beverage distributors, recently announced the consolidation of its fine wine divisions under its new name of D&E Fine Wine Group.
Throughout the years and because of past acquisitions, Glazer’s fine wine division has been known by several different names throughout the industry; Domaines & Estates, In Vie, and 55 Degrees.
The family-owned company has moved forward to unify these brands to build a new identity under the moniker D&E Fine Wine Group. Additionally, a newly designed logo has been developed to portray Glazer’s new image for the fine wine group throughout the industry.
Glazer’s, one of the country’s largest privately held companies, currently operates in 14 states and the Caribbean. The company has operations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and the US Virgin Islands.
Sheldon “Shelly” Stein is the president and CEO of Glazer’s.