By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn

Congregation Shearith Israel SISterhood to host Terri Ives fashion show

The SISterhood’s calendar seems busy Thursday, Dec. 11, as they plan to host an art show, wine reception at noon in Kaplan Auditorium, which will be followed with a luncheon, and a fashion and trunk show at 12:45 in Topletz Auditorium featuring fashion from Terri Ives Couture.
The community is invited to this event for a couvert of $30. For reservations and information, please contact Lisa Schwarz at 214-797-2420 and/or Debbie Weinstein at 214-914-1168.
A check for $30 made payable to Congregation Shearith Israel SISterhood must be mailed to Lisa Schwarz, 6514 Copper Creek Drive, Dallas, Texas, 75248 prior to the event. Please annotate seating preference in comments (on your check).
Terri Ives is an acclaimed clothing designer and national consultant whose designs have been worn by a former first lady of the United States, governors’ wives, Miss America participants, as well as other nationally prominent women. She was selected as an Outstanding Young Women of America.
Terri has appeared on radio talk shows and nationally syndicated television. She has been a consultant to Fortune 500 companies across the country and has appeared locally on “Good Morning Texas” to provide women her expert fashion advice.
She has been a clothing designer over 30 years, designing both daytime and evening clothes for women who love that touch of glamour. Her McKinney Avenue Atrium Studio is unique in Dallas. Terri personally assists her customers in selecting the most appropriate styles, fabrics and colors from her collection to enhance their body design and lifestyle.
Terri designs an exclusive, original collection each season. Each garment is individually cut to the customer’s specifications. The garments are made-to-order on location to fit perfectly, which allows any style to be made in any size.
This is the uniqueness of Terri Ives Couture, which offers every woman an opportunity to wear a glamorous gown, cocktail dress, suit or casual outfit created to fit her specific body type and proportion. Terri’s creativity and warm persona help inspire women to view themselves as wonderful and uniquely made.

Chabad of Plano to host pre-Hanukkah Torah Café, Sunday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m.

Following a successful and energizing pre-Rosh Hashanah Torah Café held in September, Chabad of Plano will host its second Torah Café.
The event begins with breakfast and orientation. Following breakfast, attendees will break into small groups where they can choose from a “menu” of classes offered by different rabbis and rebbetzins.
A main session for all attendees will be held at 10:30 on the Topic of “Hanukkah and Chinuch (education) — How to be a lifelong learner.” Guest lecturer will be Tammie Rapps, the new head of school at Akiba Academy of Dallas.
At 11:15, those attending will break into small groups and have the opportunity to choose the class they wish to attend.
There will be five small class sessions to choose from. The topics address concepts such as “Anti-Semitism,” “The Feminine side of Hanukkah,” “Athens and Jerusalem — a discussion about the fundamental divide between the Torah and Greek philosophy,” “Miracles and Lights” and “The Modern Maccabees — Torah Ethics in the 21st century.”
Among those lecturing during the small classes are Rebbetzin Rivkie Block, Rabbi Howard Wolk, Rabbi Zvi Drizin, Rabbi Dan Lewin and Rabbi Mendy Kesselman.
The positive and inspired feedback of the previous 50 attendees proved that Torah learning and spiritual inspiration go hand in hand. Rabbi Menachem Block says that the Torah Café will be offered twice more — pre Passover and pre Shavuot.
To register, please visit www.chabadplano.org or call 972-596-8270. The cost is $18 per person. Torah Café is a project of Chabad of Plano/Collin County.

Thanks-Giving Square to hold ceremonial menorah lighting

In celebration of Hanukkah, a ceremonial menorah lighting, sponsored by Chabad of Dallas, will be held at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Thanks-Giving Square, 1672 Pacific Ave. in Dallas.
All are invited to join the community for this special ceremony, where Chabad of Dallas will light the second candle. Entertainment will be provided, as well as a passing out of traditional sufganiyot, round jelly doughnuts, in observation of the custom of eating fried foods in commemoration of the miracle associated with Temple oil. An assortment of food trucks will be at the Square for guests’ enjoyment.
Thanks-Giving Square is a beautiful three-acre park, chapel, and museum in the heart of downtown Dallas with a setting to inspire gratitude.
The park is an oasis for our city’s growing residential life, as well as a daily spot to hear rushing water and a respite for professionals who work in the nearby high-rise office buildings.
The chapel has a unique spiral exterior designed by world-famous architect Philip Johnson and an interior spiral of 73 stained-glass panels created by French artist Gabriel Loire.
The museum is a rare compilation of historical documentation around Thanksgiving, as it takes place all over the world, but especially in the United States, dating back to the Continental Congress.
The Thanks-Giving Foundation promotes the spirit and unifying value of giving thanks in our community, nation, and the world. The Foundation provides information and resources so that citizens from diverse backgrounds can use thanksgiving as a way to heal divisions and enhance mutual understanding.
For more information, visit www.thanksgiving.org.

Sephardic Torah Center of Dallas to host ‘swirl and sip’ Sunday, Dec. 14

The Sephardic Torah Center of Dallas will host an elegant evening infused with award-winning kosher wines, a sushi bar, fine chocolates and savory hors d’oeuvres. The event takes place at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Wine Bar at Providence Towers. What can be better? Live music and valet parking too.
Cost for the adults-only evening is $50 per person with advance reservations by Dec. 11. Space for the event is limited; however, cost at the door is $70 per person.

Bob Weinfeld says: ‘Here’s What’s Happening at The Legacy Willowbend’

Mark Kreditor, local Dallas songster and pianist will make his fourth appearance at The Legacy Willowbend at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 in the Plano Lounge Area. Kreditor will entertain residents and guests with a repertoire of Christmas music created by Jewish composers.

It is said that Rudolph’s nose was red, but it was also very Jewish. The song that made the reindeer famous was written by Johnny Marks, one of the most popular holiday songwriters who happened to be Jewish. From “White Christmas” to “Silver Bells,” “Happy Holidays” to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” listeners will be fascinated to learn how most of the holiday oldies were written by popular Jewish songwriters.
Join Mark as he traces the stories through songs that all can enjoy and sing as well as having the opportunity to learn about the history of the holiday song through the songwriters that made them American standards. There will be Hanukkah songs as well.
Kreditor grew up in a family of teachers, music and Jewish life. After spending many summer visits to see his late uncle, Lou Kreditor, Mark moved here in 1981, and says proudly “I love this town.”
Lillian Pinkus, National Board Member of AIPAC, will bring community members up-to-date on the organization at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17 in the sanctuary at The Legacy Willowbend.
Born to parents of Holocaust survivors, Lillian was reared with Yiddish as her first language on a chicken farm in upstate New York. Her family was steeped with love for America — and Israel, our homeland.
Lillian holds a bachelor’s degree with honors from Brandeis University and a masters of education from Harvard University. Following her graduation, Lillian moved to Dallas, where she met her husband Jonathan Pinkus (son of Muriel and the late Ralph Pinkus). Lillian and Jonathan have two sons, Jared and Aaron, who were both married this year.
Lillian was president of a division of North Haven Gardens, a family owned company, which sold its landscape division in 2000. One of her friends introduced her to AIPAC, which transformed her passion for Israel into effective advocacy. At present, Lillian serves on AIPAC’s board of directors, and has relationships with multiple elected officials on both sides of the aisle. She is very active in pro-Israel politics and serves on AIPAC’s Dallas executive committee.
The mission of AIPAC is to strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of Israel and the United States. AIPAC’s staff and citizen activists educate decision makers about the bonds that unite the U.S. and Israel and how it is in America’s best interest to help ensure that the Jewish state is safe, strong and secure. Cooperation between the two countries is advantageous for both nations.

Congregation Beth Torah’s Men’s Club to feature author Doug Swanson Sunday, Dec. 7

Doug Swanson, an investigative reporter and editor at The Dallas Morning News who has written a fascinating, wildly entertaining biography of Dallas’ own Benny Binion, will be the guest speaker at Congregation Beth Torah’s Men’s Club breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
Swanson’s new book, “Blood Aces,” tells the Texas tale of a small-time gangster — and killer — who wound up as Las Vegas casino baron and founded the World Series of Poker.
Among the many enthusiastic reviews, The Daily Beast said that Blood Aces “reads like the best kind of crime drama — where you find yourself rooting for the bad guy.” The public is invited to the lox-and-bagel breakfast. The cost is $10, and $5 for students.
Congregation Beth Torah is located at 720 W. Lookout Drive in Richardson. For additional information, contact the synagogue at 972-234-1542.