By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn
JWV Ladies Auxiliary helps veterans 1 veteran at a time
JWV Ladies Auxiliary has had the privilege of sponsoring both the men’s and the women’s clothes closet at the VA for the last several years. Every few weeks, members pile up the donations that they’ve amassed from all of their donors and donations are delivered to the VA. One of the most amazing parts of this process is that the ONLY thing the group does is the driving.
The VA offers veterans who may be homeless or substance abusers, or both, the opportunity to participate in a program where they can work for volunteer services, attend classes, stay clean and sober and get back on their feet while transitioning into society with skills and dignity. These are the people who bring the carts out to the curb, unload the cars, sort through donations, catalog everything and then stock the two closets. They do it with pride, with smiles, and are so grateful for our help.
Many of the members say that their favorite part of the process is getting to talk to them and tell their stories. Over the last few years, JWV Ladies Auxiliary have met some amazing people.
A sergeant in Iraq who spoke five languages and was a translator told them that he made a better soldier than a husband and found himself living on the streets for years when he returned from the war. Miraculously, he found this program at the VA. He is currently in college and living on his own.
Volunteers met a woman last week who came back from overseas to learn her husband was in jail and her children had been abused. She became homeless and a drug addict. However, she somehow found her way to the VA, has been clean since June and is enrolled in community college this fall to study substance abuse counseling.
These are our veterans and the VA helps them one veteran at a time. They served their country. Their stories inspire us all of the volunteers to continue serving them. Please keep those donations coming. Gently used, clean clothing and accessories welcome. Call Jo Reingold at 972-479-9856 to schedule pick up.
Congregation Beth Torah to roll out the red carpet
Congregation Beth Torah will honor some of its most cherished members at its “Red Carpet Affair” gala scheduled for 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. The catered dinner at the Richardson synagogue will pay tribute to 18 Beth Torah members, including some of its founders and most generous supporters over its four decades.
Among those being honored are: Grace Bascope and Dan Gruen; Patti and Howie Fields; Ethel Gruen; Rona Kesselman; Raye and Paul Koch; Carol and Mark Kreditor; Sherie and Howard Mintz; Arlene and Lou Navias; Carol and Allan Rosen; and Shirley and Larry Strauss.
The evening will feature dinner and entertainment, as well as individual tributes to the honorees. Tickets are $125 per person, with sponsorship and tribute book opportunities also available. Proceeds will benefit the Conservative congregation of nearly 400 families, which serves Dallas and its northern suburbs. Congregation Beth Torah is located at 720 W. Lookout Drive in Richardson. For more information, call the synagogue at 972-234-1542.
Levine Academy announces Tom Elieff as new head of school for 2014-2015 year
Good wishes to Tom Elieff, who recently accepted the position as head of school at Ann and Nate Levine Academy, beginning in July 2014.
Tom, who graduated with a B.A. from Brown University and an M.A. from Northwestern University, is the “triple threat” that the school was fortunate to appoint as the steward for its future. Tom has been actively involved with Jewish communities in Dallas, Houston and Seattle. There, he accomplished successful capital campaigns, developed best practice academic programs and established top-notch administrative teams.
Additionally, he has held 19 years of leadership positions in two preeminent college prep schools in the country, including headmaster at Lake Forest Academy on Chicago’s North Shore, and most recently as head of the upper school (grades 9-12) at St. Mark’s School of Texas.
He and his family have been intimately engaged with the Dallas Jewish community during his tenure here. Tom’s credentials are sure to foster a seamless transition as current Head of School Mark Stolovitsky passes the reins to him.
Save the date: Nov. 6
The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce and the Israel-Texas Science and Education Foundation will honor Noble Energy with the 2013 Bridge Builder Award. This year’s dinner will be held at Houston’s Westin Galleria Hotel, 5060 W. Alabama Street.
The Bridge Builder Award is given each year to an outstanding business and/or leader who has had a significant impact on the capital growth of both Texas and Israel. Texas-based Noble Energy’s commitment to their operations in Israel is a perfect example of the synergy between Texas and Israel, and that of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
The Bridge Builder Award Dinner provides essential funding to enhance the mission of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce and the Israel-Texas Science and Education Foundation. The commitments made in support of the dinner ensure that we increase economic development by fostering understanding, cooperation and business relationships between Israel and Texas. Each year, a forum is created for top executives to network and present a leader in the industry with the Bridge Builder Award.
Leadership for the event includes: Honorary Chair Fred Zeidman, Chairman Emeritus United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Dinner Chair Arie Brish, CEO of cxo360 and member of the board of directors, Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce; Host Committee David Wiessman, Alon USA; Lisa Atlas Genecov, Locke Lord LLP; Raanan Horowitz, Elbit Systems of America, LLC; Jeff Morris, Alon USA; and Blaine Nelson, Cooper Institute. Master of Ceremonies will be David L. Ronn, McGuireWoods LLP.
Tickets are $250 for TICOC members, $300 for non-members. Contact Leah Singleton at LSingleton@texasisrael.org to purchase tickets and for more information.
Cantor Don Croll appearing in ‘The Sunshine Boys’ at CTD
If you miss Cantor Don Croll on the bimah, you can catch him on stage at the Contemporary Theatre of Dallas where he is acting in “The Sunshine Boys.” Croll has the role that George Burns played in the movie.
“The Sunshine Boys” opened Sept. 19 and runs through Oct. 13. Show times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The show may be extended, but that is to be determined.
The actor who was originally cast in this role dropped out, and Croll accepted the part with only four days to learn the script. Croll acted in “So Help Me God” at Theater Three in August, performing in a play for the first time in 24 years.
For ticket information, visit http://www.contemporarytheatreofdallas.com/tickets.htm.
News and notes
• The Dallas Area Support Group Meeting for Sjögren’s Syndrome, is at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Blue Mesa Grill, 14866 Montfort Drive in Addison. For reservations, please contact, the Metroplex area’s Sjögren’s Syndrome support group leader, Cathy Ingles at 948-8606 or Destinysdesigns1@verizon.net. This is certain to be a good forum to exchange ideas with other Sjögren’s patients and have questions answered. Contact Cathy by 5 p.m. on Oct. 4 if you are interested in attending.
• The deadline to register for Temple Shalom’s 12th Annual Charity Golf Tournament is Friday, Oct. 4. The tournament, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 14 at The Honors Golf Club, will benefit Temple Shalom Youth Programs and Snowball Express. The mission of Snowball Express is to create opportunities for joy, friendship and communal healing among families of fallen military heroes. For questions, contact Ken Braswell at 972-809-7312 or Kbraswell1@sbcglobal.net. Registration, which is $250 per player, can be completed at www.templeshalom.org.
• Congregation Shearith Israel will launch its Family Center R&R from 9:15-10:15 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 6. Every other week, the Family Center will offer enriching experiences for parents to relax and learn while their kids enjoy parallel programming. For more information, contact Katie Copeland at kcopeland@shearith.org or 214-361-6606.