Sign language interpretation at Emanu-El, June 6 and July 4
Once a month, worship services at Temple Emanu-El include sign language interpretation for members of the deaf community. On the first Saturday of each month, at the 10:30 a.m. service in the Lefkowitz Chapel, a trained interpreter will join the congregation to help those who are hearing-impaired participate more fully in the Shabbat celebration. Please let your friends and family members who could use this service know about the schedule and encourage them to attend! For more information or details, contact Nita White at 214-706-0000. Temple Emanu-El is located at 8500 Hillcrest in Dallas. Sign language interpretation is made possible by a grant from the Rosenthal Fund.
BBYO J-Serve a success
On April 26, 10,000 Jewish teens around the world participated in J-Serve, an annual day of volunteerism and engagement for Jewish youth. Hundreds of Jewish communities in the United States, Canada and Israel registered to take part, and Dallas was no exception.
Sponsored by BBYO, and organized by Dallas Council President Edie Margolis, the event was a complete success. Margolis reached out to the community and gained over 80 participants who joined in volunteer opportunities. The teens had their choice of interacting with visitors and aiding in tours at the Dallas Holocaust Museum, participating in a food drive and sorting cans for Jewish Family Services, making activity books and games for the patients of Children’s Medical Center, playing bingo with the residents of Golden Acres, improving the playground of Vogel Alcove, painting and enhancing the barn at E-Quest or visiting the residents of the Veranda nursing home.
Liberty High School junior, Ari Butbul said, “I really enjoyed assisting a cause that I hold so highly. Helping out at the Jewish Family Service was not only fun, but incredibly rewarding as well.” This seemed to be the overall consensus of the day. Regardless of where they spent their time, the teens were genuinely excited to get involved with the community and have an opportunity to do some hands-on work. Natalie Itzhakov, a junior at Plano West Senior High School, greatly benefited from taking part in such an amazing day: “Just learning about an organization or writing a check is one thing, but actually getting proactive and giving time is another. I truly feel I made a difference, which is empowering enough on its own. I really want to make volunteering part of my regular routine now.”
By getting excited about volunteering, BBYO teens are embodying the real meaning behind J-Serve: instilling the value of tikkun olam at a time when it really matters, both in teens’ lives and the world, said Erica Arbetter, regional orechet (new chair).
Laurie Miller on radio show
Laurie Miller was on the “Coping with Caregiving” radio show on Saturday, May 16, discussing the benefits of in-home non-medical care.
The seven-year-old program, which features four guests, is broadcast live from 5 to 6 p.m. Central time.
Laurie’s interview was part of the 5 p.m. segment.
If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen on-demand to the online archive. The program host, Jacqueline Marcell, is an eldercare advocate, international speaker and author of the best-selling book “Elder Rage.”
Congratulations to Zach Albert
The coveted Joseph Reeves Hyde Award in Religious Studies was presented to Zachary F. Albert at the recent awards convocation at Rhodes College. Zachary is the son of Nancy and David Albert of Allen and grandson of Sylvia and Arthur Heller of Munster, Ind.. and Rachel Albert of Indianapolis, Ind.
The Joseph Reeves Hyde Award in Religious Studies allows an outstanding Rhodes student to pursue a summer research project related to the discipline of religious studies. Currently Albert is researching at the U.S. Holocaust Museum; he will be at the USC Shoah Archives later in the month. The rest of his summer will be spent doing a fellowship in “Facing History and Ourselves.” His research deals with how Judaism was preserved during the time of the Holocaust, and prayer as a form of resistance.
David Holiner awarded UT-Austin tennis scholarship
Congratulations to David Holiner, 18, on his signing for a tennis scholarship at the University of Texas at Austin. David has been ranked the No. 1 United States Tennis Association Player in Texas and No. 6 nationally in his class by tennisrecruiting.net. At 6’4” and 185 lbs., he has the physical attributes to be quite a force on the tennis court.
Texas head men’s tennis coach, Michael Center, said, “David has proved himself at the national level and has all the makings to become a great player at Texas. He has a very aggressive style with a big game and a big serve. We’re very lucky to have David join us next season, and I expect him to be an impact player for us.”
David, the son of Dr. Joel and Wendy Holiner and grandson of Harlan and Ethel Holiner, has been chosen to represent the United States in the men’s open category of this summer’s International Maccabi games in Israel. He was the only player chosen that is currently not a professional or collegiate star.
David’s tennis career has taken him all over the world including competition in Europe, South America and Asia. He chose UT-Austin because of the excellent academics, the perennial top tennis teams and the opportunity for his family to watch his matches in Austin.
His sister, Camille, 16, is a sophomore at Greenhill School and is a member of her school’s state champion tennis team as well as a starter on the varsity volleyball team. David hopes to become a touring tennis professional after college and plans to major in business for an eventual career in commercial real estate.

Take 5 wraps up Showcase 2009 Temple Arts Series
On May 31, 3 p.m., in Tobian Auditorium, the rich vocal harmonies, stylish arrangements and captivating stage presence of Take Five, the talented and dynamic singing group from Austin, will have everyone tapping their toes and singing along, as they take the audience on a musical journey with the songs that have touched lives from young to old.
The program will include Broadway bravos from “Guys & Dolls” to “Phantom of the Opera”; swing-era classics from Cole Porter to the Gershwins; popular standards from the Beatles to James Taylor.
Ticket prices are $18 regular admission, $15 for seniors, $10 for students. To purchase tickets, go to www.tedallas.org or call 214-696-3273.

Irv Munn receives consecutive honors
Irving Munn, a Certified Financial Planner™, has been selected as one of America’s Top Financial Planners by Consumers Research Council of America, an independent research company based in Washington, D.C. This is the third consecutive year that Irv has received this honor. This award is based on experience, training, professional associations, and financial certifications.
Irv is the president of Munn & Morris Financial Advisors, Inc. and a registered representative of Raymond James Financial Services. He provides financial guidance, develops solutions and coordinates the financial affairs for a select group of families and small businesses. He is also the president of Irving Munn, P.C., a public accounting firm that works primarily with closely held businesses.
Munn & Morris Financial Advisors was recently selected for the 2008 Dallas Award in the Financial Planners category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their community and business category.
These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is a national investment firm providing financial services to individuals, corporations and municipalities through more than 3,200 financial advisors in 2,000 offices throughout the United States.
Munn & Morris Financial Advisors and Irving Munn, P.C., located at 14180 Dallas Pkwy., Suite 530, Dallas 75254, are independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. For further information, contact Irv Munn at 972-692-0909 or imunn@munnmorris.com.