By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn
It is always a pleasure to correspond with our readers. Months ago I wrote about a talented 16-year-old, Emily Shlesinger.
I received a recent update on the events that Dallasite Emily Claire Shlesinger has on her agenda.
Emily has been invited to perform at two showcases during South by Southwest in Austin March 15.
One of the two is a very special cause. A representative of Gilda’s house, an organization founded to help people afflicted with cancer, contacted Emily and asked her to write a song based on a terminally ill child’s story. You can find that song “Blue Sea and Paradise” at www.SingMeAStory.org and then click on “Listen to songs.”
By listening to the song and/or donating to their cause, readers help them raise funds and awareness for this very worthy cause. One hundred percent of the funds raised go to the charity.
As a result of this, Emily was invited to perform “Blue Sea and Paradise” along with a 40 minute set of her original songs at a South by Southwest showcase “The Tiniest Rockstars in Texas” which will be spearheading the grand opening of a new cancer treatment center in Austin.
For those of you who have children in Austin at UT or may be visiting, it will take place around noon March 15 outside The Tiniest Bar in Texas.
In addition, Emily was also invited to perform that same day at 3 p.m. at the Music Gorilla SXSW Showcase at Burnside’s Tavern.
She is also scheduled to perform at the I-30 Music Festival at 6 p.m. Friday, March 28, Deep Ellum Arts Festival Sunday, April 6 at 1 p.m., and The Earth Day Festival in Sherman Saturday, April 26.
Reverbnation, a marketing platform for musicians, also selected Emily to be the Artist of the Month on their website in October 2013 for her original song “Me and You” and in February 2014 for her original song “Drowning in your Love” (both can be found on iTunes). She has also received radio play on CBS Radio in St. Louis, Women of Substance Radio, Female Flow, Radio Airplay and Spotify, among others.
In “her spare time,” she will be continuing her high school education and making appearances at local venues such as Lekka on Preston Road, Shady’s Grill in Richardson, Ascension Coffeehouse and Bar in the Design Arts District. In addition, she has performed the national anthem at various venues in the area.
For private bookings contact: Barbara Shipper Shlesinger at 972-841-2121 or clairesongllc@gmail.com.
To follow Emily, or become a fan, go to: Twitter: @emshles, Instagram: @emilyshlesinger
www.EmilyClaireMusic.com, YouTube: EmilyClaireMusic, www.Reverbnation.com/EmilyClaire.
Alexis Ferguson named DJHS archivist
The Dallas Jewish Historical Society (DJHS), an organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Dallas Jewish community, has named Alexis J. Ferguson as its new archivist.
In her role, Ferguson will organize, catalog and display the extensive array of Dallas Jewish archives dating back to the earliest days of the Jewish community. These paper, artifact, and, in the last several decades, multimedia archives, were donated by families, synagogues/temples and Jewish-based organizations to the DJHS for posterity and education.
“It’s truly an honor having Alexis join the DJHS,” said board president Jim Schwartz. “So far, she has done an excellent job of going against the grain and making her mark in organizing and cataloging our materials, and has worked in assembling our volunteers to assist. As we progress into making our archives more digital and accessible to the public, we embrace her knowledge and passion.”
Alexis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from TCU and a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of North Texas. Her experience includes the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance and the Texas Fashion Collection. She has also worked in the private sector as the corporate digital librarian for Financial Network. Ferguson’s skills include administration, archival arrangement, cataloging and digitization.
LuAnn Bergman Installed as President of JWVA#256
2014 began with great excitement as The Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary #256 had the pleasure of installing their new President LuAnn Bergman, at their annual Installation of Officers banquet. The installation was held at the Wyndham Hotel Jan. 26, 2014. Bergman served two terms in the past and was asked to resume the role of president again this year. Past President Shirley Crane did the honors of installing new officers at this year’s ceremony. Members and guests enjoyed the dinner and following the installation, were entertained by Doc Gibbs.
In assuming her new role as president, Bergman will continue to support and expand all the great service projects performed by the organization. The group will work collaboratively for initiating new ideas for ways to further help veterans and the community in the future.
JWVA#256 is a credit to our community. Their organization provides a plethora of acts of kindness and good deeds. Word has it that they have fun doing it! If you would like to join in the fun of helping the veterans, their families and the community we would love to have you as a member. Please contact Membership Vice President Lynn Teitlebaum at 972-233-8937.
It is a personal pleasure to me to write about the JWVA#256. I always look forward to seeing what the ladies are doing. Congratulations to LuAnn and the other officers of their board in their new roles in JWVA#256.
March 28-29, Shaare Tefilla will host singles Shabbaton
What a nice ending to the month of March for singles wanting to meet others at Shaare Tefilla’s regional singles Shabbaton (ages 40-65) while spending a weekend of lively davening, the promise of meeting new friends, and greeting old friends in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Attendees are expected from Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, elsewhere in Texas and nearby states. The fee for the weekend is $175, and the venue looks like fun. Shaare Tefilla is located at 6131 Churchill Way in Dallas.
Festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 28 at the synagogue with a meet and greet, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat service. Dinner, an “ice breaker” and program will conclude the evening. On Saturday, Shabbat services will begin at 9 a.m. through noon. A Kiddush shared with the congregation will be held and lunch at a congregant’s home. Attendees are free until 5 p.m. At 5:30, there will be a program with refreshments at a congregant’s home. Mincha, Seudat Shlishit, Maariv and Havdallah will take place at Shaare Tefilla, followed by a wine tasting. There will be an informal brunch at the congregant’s home Sunday morning, March 30.
All meals from Friday night dinner through Sunday brunch are included and will be kosher.
There are several options for housing. Sleeping accommodations can be arranged with a Shaare Tefilla member within walking distance of the synagogue. Additional options include The Guest House at the Cooper Aerobics Center, The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Dallas (Galleria Area), is located 1 mile from Shaare Tefilla at Preston and LBJ Freeway. (this hotel is not in the eruv).
For additional information, please contact: Dr. Paul Chafetz at pkctss@sbcglobal.net. Registration and payment must be received by. Chafetz by March 14. Chafetz states that in order to achieve a good gender and age balance among participants, it is not guaranteed that all participants will be accepted. Registrants will be notified of acceptance of decision by Wednesday, March 19. In the event of non-acceptance a full refund will be made.