By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn

Calling all art lovers: Unique collection of art on display from Jerusalem’s Safrai Gallery

The Dallas Jewish community looks forward to welcoming Menacham Safrai, an Israeli art dealer, who is bringing more than 1,500 oil paintings, watercolors and etchings to Dallas Wednesday, Dec. 10 through Sunday, Dec. 14 at Congregation Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Ave. in Dallas. This is Safrai’s first showing here in 12 years.
The collection, which includes the work of world-renowned artist Marc Chagall, cannot be found at a private gallery or a prestigious museum; however it will be displayed and sold in Shearith’s Kaplan Auditorium. This show is open to the entire community and the art is available for sale at very affordable prices.
As part of the Shearith’s Cultural Arts Festival, the synagogue is hosting this exhibit of contemporary Israeli art. Proceeds from the show are a fundraiser for the congregation’s adult education, programming, Weitzman Family Religious School and the Family Center.
“This is a cultural event” gallery owner Menachem Safrai said. “When you talk about Israeli art, some people picture a portrait of a rabbi sitting at a table. But there’s really much more to it than that.” Safrai, whose grandfather established the gallery in 1935, brings the works in from Israel and unpacks and displays the artwork himself.
Israel is a nation of immigrants and its art reflects that diversity. The exhibit includes brightly colored abstract paintings, satiny watercolors and impressionistic images. “If Mohammed doesn’t come to the mountain, the mountain will come to Mohammed,” Safrai said. “I’m bringing the mountain to Dallas, Texas.”
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at The Gallery (SISterhood’s gift shop at Shearith Israel) and online, beginning Monday, Dec. 1. Four raffle packages will be given away at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. You need not be present to win. The prizes include a Diamond and Multicolor Stone Bracelet from Utay Jewelers, Hall Vineyards Wine Package, “Shop Dallas” Package and “Dine Around Dallas” Package. The packages are valued from $400 to $1,950.
The exhibit and sale will be open to the public from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 and 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. There is no charge for admission.
For additional information about the event, visit www.shearith.org.

Idan Raichel comes to Congregation Shearith Israel

As part of the Cultural Arts Festival mentioned above, Shearith Israel will host renowned Israeli musician Idan Raichel at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13.
Producer, keyboardist and composer Idan Raichel has become a global music icon since the unveiling of The Idan Raichel Project, a multiethnic tour de force that changed the face of Israeli popular music. The Project enchants audiences with entrancing fusions sung in Hebrew, Arabic and the Ethiopian languages of Amharic and Tigrit. Their latest album, “Quarter To Six,” has garnered international praise for its depth and scope. Raichel has collaborated with over 95 celebrated artists from around the globe including American neo-soul diva India.Arie, Mayra Andrade from Cape Verde, Marta Gomez from Colombia, Ana Moura from Portugal, German counter-tenor Andreas Scholl, Vieux Farka Touré from Mali and many more. Over the past decade, The Idan Raichel Project has become the soundtrack of contemporary Israel.
You can learn more about this amazing musician, originally a keyboardist, who hails from Kfar Saba at idanraichelproject.com
The group has headlined in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including New York’s Central Park summer Stage, Apollo Theater, Town Hall and Radio City Music Hall; Los Angeles’ Kodak Theater; the Sydney Opera House; Zenith and Bataclan in Paris; London’s Royal Albert Hall and many international festivals. They have also performed across Europe, South and Central America, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana and dozens of other countries for enraptured audiences of all backgrounds. And now you have the opportunity to check them out at this intimate Shearith Israel venue.
Tickets are available at shearith.org or israeldallascenter.org.

Can! Academy Education Foundation welcomes Denn as new Dallas board member

The Can! Academy Education Foundation recently announced the addition of Meyer Denn as a member of its board of directors. The mission of the Can! Academy Education Foundation is to establish an endowment supporting educational solutions through The Center for Cognitive and Mediated Learning Solutions.
Denn is the executive director of the Center for Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. He was born and reared in Bay City, Texas. At age 18, he became the youngest person in the state’s history to be elected to a city council position. Denn completed a degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin. He furthered his education at the Rothberg School for Overseas Students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
“Meyer has always been a strong advocate for education,” said Robin Hutchison Gordon, president and CEO of Can! Academy Education Foundation. “He brings a unique skill set to the Foundation and we look forward to his ideas and expertise.”

Dallas Hebrew Free Loan to present Dr. Brent Sasley, Sunday, Dec. 14 at The Clubs at Prestonwood, The Creek

Metroplex area residents who are interested in Middle East Politics may wish to attend the DHFLA’s annual meeting, at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at The Clubs at Prestonwood, The Creek 15909 Preston Road, Dallas.
Brent Sasley will address “The Israeli Electorate, Shifting Right?” Dr. Sasley is an associate professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he teaches Israel, Middle East politics and international relations. He moved to Texas from Canada in 2007, and currently lives in Arlington with his wife, Yael, and three children, Arielle, Samara and Shai.
Sasley has published papers on the decision-making behind the 1993 Oslo Accords, Israeli foreign policy, Turkish foreign policy and the role of emotions in world politics. He recently completed a manuscript on explaining Israeli politics. The book will be launched in 2015 in conjunction with Oxford University Press, and is intended for university and college audiences. He is a frequent contributing writer for American, Israeli and international media.
In addition, new board members and officers will be elected during a short business meeting.
The slate of DHFLA officers for 2015 includes Iris Young Sheppard, president; Charles Skibell, vice president; Myron Schwitzer, vice president; Dorothy Wolchansky, vice president; Harrsion Goldman, vice president, finance; and Alison Fisher, Secretary. Board members elect are: Fonda Arbetter, Ron Baron, Stuart Beck, Jonathan Blum, Howard Denemark and Jaycee Greenblatt.
There is no charge for attendance for DHFLA members; however, guests are $18. DHFLA asks that RSVPs be submitted by Wednesday, Dec.10 or by contacting the office 214-696-8008 or dhfla@sbcglobal.net.

Tina Wasserman will engage young chefs, families at Temple Shalom Dec. 14

Temple Shalom has announced that well-known Dallas chef and author, Tina Wasserman, will be featured at a hands-on cooking class to teach children (ages 2+) how to cook. It takes place from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.
The group is limited to 20 families, who will be treated to preparation and cooking Hanukkah favorites together. Extra attention and focus will be placed on teaching young children kitchen safety, good health and how to enjoy the kitchen experience. This is the first time that Tina has offered this service to a synagogue in the DFW area. Reservations must be confirmed by Dec. 5 to youngfamilies@templeshalomdallas.org.
Cost of the event is $18 for the entire family or a $36 special price that includes a copy of Tina’s latest cookbook “Entrée to Judaism For Families.” Payment can be made by paypal to brandywayne@hotmail.com.
Wasserman is the author of the highly successful cookbook “Entrée to Judaism: A Culinary Exploration of The Jewish Diaspora.” A respected and renowned cooking instructor, who lives in Dallas, Tina’s hands-on approach to all facets to food (that also happens to be kosher) and its preparation have appealed equally to her non-Jewish and Jewish students for 40 years. Trained in nutrition and education, Tina received a bachelor’s in science from Syracuse University and an M.A. from New York University. She has spread her excitement and love for the how and why of cooking to her students in her own cooking school as well as many schools and community centers throughout the United States.

Andres Lecture Series features report on Texas Jewish bank robber ‘Shayna Punim’ Stone

At the kickoff event of the Andres Family Lecture Series, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, at the JCC, genealogy researcher Karen Franklin will share the story of “Shayna Punim” Stone, who walked into a bank in Frost, Texas, said “stick ‘em up” and was immediately shot dead. Buried in an unmarked grave in a Christian cemetery, David Stone lay undiscovered for decades, until a family member in Dallas began research into his family history. On Friday, Dec. 5, a memorial service will be held, allowing a Star of David to be added to a new marker at the cemetery in Frost, Texas.

Mazel tov

Millie and Irv Holtzer of Dallas were kvelling last weekend when great-grandson Tyler Winton was called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah as Congregation Shaare Tefilla.