By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn

Dallas Area Interfaith to hold public meeting on Health Insurance Exchange Initiative

Healthcare is a hot media topic of conversation. The general public needs factual information on the Health Insurance Exchange/Marketplace. The Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) will hold a forum at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17 at Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest Road. The DAI has a constituency of 90,000 families — many of whom are eligible for affordable health insurance.
The plan is to introduce DAI’s copyrighted pamphlet explaining the access to affordable health insurance through the Exchange/Marketplace in Texas. DAI congregations and groups, as well as those contributing to the production of the 100,000 copies of the pamphlet will receive copies. Additionally, DAI will distribute their pamphlets to public libraries, clinics and hospitals. At least 300 DAI congregation/school/organization delegates will participate.

Mah Jongg tournament to be held Sunday, Oct. 27 at Akiba

Akiba Academy will be busy  Sunday, Oct. 27. The second annual Lois Goldblatt Mah Jongg Tournament will occur at the school to benefit the Ryan Goldblatt Foundation to help fight against pediatric cancer. Event organizer, Joanne Goldblatt, stated that last year’s tournament was “a success with 120 players and $10,000 was raised.” Cost of the tournament is $40 per person which includes snacks and prizes. Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. and play begins at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the winners and a raffle will be held. Registration is required by Oct. 20. To register, complete the registration form online at (www.theryangoldblattfoundation.org) and send a check for $40 made out to The Ryan Goldblatt Foundation c/o Akiba Academy, 12324 Merit Drive 75251. Please add Attention PTA in the “memo”.
Three-and-a-half year old Ryan Goldblatt lost his courageous two-and-a-half year battle with AT/RT (brain cancer) on Sept. 15, 2010. Although cancer never defined Ryan, it did invade his brilliant brain and took him from this earth. This youngster never let cancer get in the way of life. He enjoyed living each moment of his young life to the fullest. He was only 6 months old when diagnosed with cancer. When Ryan died, his family felt that it was their responsibility to make certain that Ryan’s memory would never be forgotten, and to help fund the nasty disease that took him from his family — hence the Ryan Goldblatt Foundation was born.
Just a columnist’s thoughts — even if you cannot play Mah Jongg, perhaps you could help make a difference by making a small contribution to this worthy endeavor.

Don’t Dreidel Your Keppe

Can you believe it? Chanukah is almost here, and if you are not aware of it, I have a feeling that there are those among you that will be doing early Chanukah shopping at the 2013 Chanukah Boutique on Oct. 27 at Akiba Academy. The event will be held in Akiba’s atrium. Multiple vendors will be on hand selling their wares — from Judaica items, jewelry, health and beauty packages and more. There will also be activities for kids of all ages, such as a bounce house, obstacle course, arcade style hoops and a soccer game. The event will commence at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. Gift wrapping is available for $2. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the mah jongg tournament. The entire community is invited to attend the event. For additional information contact: akibapta@gmail.com.

News from Yavneh Academy

Approximately 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are recognized for their academic promise. Yavneh’s seniors have placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million who entered the competition by taking the 2012 PSAT/NMSQT.
Yavneh’s Head of School Dr. David Portnoy stated that “we are extremely proud of these students for this singular accomplishment. Yavneh Academy enjoys a proud tradition of academic excellence, and these outstanding students are worthy inheritors of that tradition.”
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, Yavneh will hold a Prospective Families’ Open House at the school’s Schultz Rosenberg Campus at 12324 Merit Drive in Dallas. The evening will feature a Q & A forum with Yavneh students, parents and administrators as well as tours of the campus. For additional information, call 214-295-3500 or email admissions@yavnehdallas.org.
At 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, Yavneh will extend an invitation to the community to share in an evening to support the school’s arts department. It will feature an auction including published works Icarus at the Airport by Assistant Principal and Social Studies Faculty member, Dr. Tim Cloward; Small World by Creative Writing and Humanities Faculty member, Lisa Huffaker, and Polly’s Pipers by Yavneh’s Art Teacher, Monica Ribald. In addition, other auction items will include tickets to Dallas-area cultural events including The Dallas Opera, The Kitchen Dog Theater, Theatre Three and Wordspace. Artwork by students and faculty members will be available. Kim Corbet, Dr. Tim Cloward, Michael Federico, Lisa Huffaker and Monica Ribald, faculty members will perform during the evening.
The Yavneh Arts Benefit will be held in Pollman Hall of the Schultz Rosenberg Campus. Admission is $5, and all proceeds will support the art department of Yavneh Academy. For additional information, please contact Dr. Cloward at 214-295-3500 or email tcloward@yavnehdallas.org.

Kudos to The J Group Fitness Team for new classes

The Aaron Family JCC of Dallas recently announced that the J Group Fitness Team, voted “Best Classes” by the Dallas Morning News, is bringing its top-notch group fitness instructors and innovative class formats to the hottest green space in Dallas — Klyde Warren Park. J President Artie Allen said “in today’s world it is very difficult for people who don’t live near the J to fit our unique J community workouts into their busy schedules. This is our opportunity to bring a little bit of the J to them…We are eager and excited to show the Uptown-Downtown community what we have to offer.” The J will be the first in flash fitness to bring such an extensive “on the go” group fitness program to the park. Classes will be offered on Sundays from 12-1 p.m. beginning Oct. 13.
J Flash Cross Conditioning Circuit will include a variety of different workouts such as spin bikes, agility equipment and functional training and Insanity segments in a circuit style workout. This format is a first for Klyde Warren Park. Like Dance Fitness? The J has got you covered! Try their Zumba Pound Rock Out fusion format. Yoga your thing? Dare to gently flow in and out of your poses to the rhythmic beat of the drums. It’s Fitness on the Go!
For more information on class format and specifics, visit the J’s website at www.jccdallas.org/flashfitness.

NCJW announces “Mitzvahs with Mom” project Oct. 20

National Council of Jewish Women is pleased to announce the formation of a new project: “Mitzvahs With Mom.” This opportunity is geared toward women who want to share the gift of giving back with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in a quarterly weekend mitzvah project to continue to meet the NCJW mission.
Readers are welcome to bring friends who would like to participate. NCJW is happy to share the impact that their organization has made in Dallas for 100 years, as they continue to improve the quality of life for women, children and families. The inaugural project will be “Bingo and Ice Cream with the Seniors” at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 20 at The Legacy at Preston Hollow, 11409 North Central Expressway. Co-chairs of the event are Allyson Raskin and Julie Liberman. Please RSVP to the NCJW office by Thursday, Oct. 17. Call 214-368-4405 or email info@ncjwdallas.org.