Beth Torah to host Zion Oil at Bnai Zion open meeting
John Brown expects to discover oil and gas in Israel!
The above is a headline that nobody ever thought they’d see, but is very likely to happen within a short period of time.
John Brown, founder and chairman of Zion Oil & Gas (NYSE Amex “ZN”) was an entrepreneur in Michigan who sold a multi-million dollar tool company when he heard the calling. In 2000, Mr. Brown divested himself from his business and directed his efforts to finding oil and gas in Israel, based on the interpretations of the Bible with God’s blessings to Joseph and the nation of Israel.
After several years of exploration, Zion Oil and Gas is closer than ever to a major discovery. They have just brought into Israel, from Turkey, the largest oil rig ever to come into the country, with the capability of drilling to 25,000 feet. With permits to explore a combined total of over 330,000 acres, which includes the area between Netanya and Haifa and from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River, the company has gone ahead and set up a charitable foundation in Israel to contribute a percentage of future production income to the people of Israel.
The story of this incredible journey from beginning to current status can be heard firsthand from the man who took it from a dream to reality.
The Texas region of Bnai Zion and the Adult Education Committee of Congregation Beth Torah proudly present to you John Brown, the man with a vision, on Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Torah. Admission is free and open to the public.
Additionally, Martin M. van Brauman, involved with Zion Oil & Gas and a board member of the Texas region of Bnai Zion, will share his personal views as someone who recently participated in a Bnai Zion Israel mission and who is intimately involved with the exploration and structure of Zion Oil and Gas and the establishment of the foundation in Israel.
For more information on what promises to be a most exciting, informative event, please contact Avrille Harris-Cohen, director of Bnai Zion at 972-918-9200 or at avrille.harris-cohen@bnaizion.org.
Yavneh Bulldogs named Jewish Hoops All-Americans
Congratulations are in order! JV Elite announced Honorable Mention for Yavneh Academy’s Bulldog Elan Kogutt ‘11. He and fellow Bulldog Jordan Prescott ‘12 were named runners-up for National Player of the Year at their grade levels to the Jewish Hoops All-American team. Founded in 2003, JV Elite, Inc.’s mission is to enhance Jewish basketball in North America and Israel.
“We are very excited that other coaches around the country recognized what we already knew, that Elan and Jordan are among the best Jewish players in America at their grade levels,” said Yavneh’s Athletic Director Chad Baruch. “We expect great things from them in the future. This also is a great recognition for their teammates, particularly 2008–2009 Captains William Zalstein ‘09 and Miles Pulitzer ‘10, who had so much to do with their success.”
Fourteen coaches from around the country and a Jewish Hoops America representative cast their votes. Jewish Hoops America has compiled weekly rankings of the top 25 high school teams across the United States and Canada, and has honored outstanding players and coaches, for the past three years.
Yavneh Academy, Dallas’ only co-ed Jewish high school, offers a college preparatory education for grades nine to 12 that combines Torah-based learning with a top secular program. The dual curriculum is enhanced by its sports program, which includes the Bulldog and Lady Bulldog Basketball teams, volleyball, tennis and soccer teams, as well as extracurricular programs including Mock Trial; the local, state and national award-winning Bulldog Print newspaper; a theater and music program; Students Against Terrorism; Uniting Students of Dallas; HELP-Helping Everyone Live Peacefully; and the Hashinui environmental organization.
For more information about Yavneh Academy, call 214-395-3500 or e-mail info@yavnehdallas.org.
Blondes vs. Brunettes game supports Alzheimer’s
Jay and Janet Finegold have good reason to be proud of their daughter Erin. Last year Erin did an amazing thing — she developed the inaugural Blondes vs. Brunettes (BvB) powder-puff football game in Dallas to support the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her grandmother Mimi Schendle. Thanks to those who were supporters of Erin and her project, BvB blew past its initial goal of $20,000 and raised an amazing and unprecedented $62,600 in two short months. This year, the goal is to raise over $75,000, and she can’t do it without your help.
BvB Dallas is a personal but fun way for young professionals to raise awareness, funds and support to help eradicate this grave disease by donating to the Greater Dallas Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Thirty five beautiful, courageous Blondes, 35 beautiful, courageous Brunettes (our favorites) and 30 lucky male “coaches” have each committed to raise $500 in order to participate in this fun but important event.
Mimi succumbed to 10 years of suffering from Alzheimer’s on Mother’s Day last year, so Erin’s efforts in raising money and having a successful event has become even more meaningful for her and her family. Of course Erin, the ultimate party-planner, is in her element! The Finegolds are so proud of her initiative, organization and determination in chairing BvB Dallas.
Join Erin and her family this Saturday, the 15th, for the big game day. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. at SMU’s Westcott Field, with the pre-game show at 7.
Help Erin and her teammates reach their goals. You will be supporting a great cause!
Donations are tax-deductible. If you give $25 or more, you receive free admission to the game and tickets will be available at the gate for $25 each. Visit www.active.com/donate/bvbdallas/finegold09 for tickets and info. Or, you can send a check to: BvB Dallas, c/o Erin Finegold, 4144 N. Central Expwy., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75204.
Beth Torah Men’s Club lauded
Congregation Beth Torah’s Men’s Club brought home two top awards from July’s national convention of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs in Philadelphia. For the second straight year, they won the Quality Club Award, which recognizes a select group of synagogue men’s clubs around the country for superior programming and leadership. “It’s no accident that this coincides with both years of Rusty Dworkin’s presidency,” said incoming Men’s Club President Mike Precker. “It’s a great tribute to his vision and hard work.”
The national federation also honored Jeff Markowitz with its Ma’asim Tovim (Good Works) award, acknowledging his service to the synagogue and the Jewish community. Jeff is a former Men’s Club president who has been very active in the synagogue and its youth programs for many years. With Ed Matisoff, Jeff initiated and spearheaded the annual Remember the Names program, a 24-hour vigil honoring the victims of the Holocaust. “We’re thrilled, but not surprised, that Jeff’s many achievements and his passion for Jewish life have earned this great honor,” Precker said.
Markowitz, David Kalmeyer and Dave Gerstein represented Beth Torah at the biannual convention. Precker said the honors inspire the new board to build on the Men’s Club legacy. “We’re not in this to win awards,” he added. “We’re in this to enhance synagogue life with a helping hand, meaningful programming and fellowship that builds bonds in our community. But is the recognition nice? Heck, yes, and we’re grateful.”
Leonore Brodsky is recognized for high academic achievement at Smith College
Leonore Elizabeth Brodsky, daughter of Drs. Cynthia Schneidler and James Brodsky of Dallas, was designated a First Group Scholar and was named to the Dean’s List at Smith College for the 2008–09 school year. The Dean’s List recognizes those students with grade point averages of 3.333 or above. First Group Scholars are further acknowledged for their particularly high level of achievement, and they generally represent the top 10 percent of the class.
Leonore graduated from Shelton High School and is a double major in Spanish and education at Smith. She is an elected officer in Franklin King House and will serve as a freshman adviser. Smith College is consistently ranked among the nation’s best liberal arts colleges. Enrolling 2,800 students from every state and 55 other countries, Smith is the largest undergraduate women’s college in the United States.