Nishmat Am families make a difference in the lives of children in need
Families of Congregation Nishmat Am in Plano joined in the back-to-school shopping spirit, only these compassionate families were out shopping for a cause.
Nishmat Am families joined the Frisco Family Services Center to clothe a child in need for their very first day of school. Five loving families proudly adopted five precious children to clothe for the fall, while teaching their own children about the many blessings in their lives and their beautiful responsibility to make the world a better place for everyone! A special thank-you to the Buys, Hobbs, Lewin, Roth and Schentes families for dedicating their time to make a difference in the lives of children.
Harmon Schepps chosen as Bnai Zion honoree
Harmon “Hymie” Schepps, well-known but most humble Dallas humanitarian, has been unanimously chosen as one of the honorees for this year’s Bnai Zion gala. He will receive the Bnai Zion Community Service Award. According to Avrille Harris-Cohen, director of the Texas Region of Bnai Zion, “Bnai Zion Foundation’s Texas Region will be able to enjoy the good name that Harmon Schepps has earned through his gracious and caring deeds done mostly through anonymity.”
Former honoree Diane Benjamin said, “I know that I am joined by hundreds, perhaps thousands, who have benefited by this kind gentleman’s continuous deeds of loving kindness which have helped so many of us and, in turn, he has been an example to be sensitive to the needs of others.”
The ninth annual Bnai Zion gala, “Over 100 Years of Making a Difference,” is scheduled at the Westin Park Central on Nov. 1. All proceeds from the gala will benefit the Bnai Zion Medical Center, the foremost hospital in Northern Israel for rehabilitation of IDF soldiers, residents of Haifa and the surrounding areas. Bnai Zion, founded in 1908, focuses on improving the human condition by providing aid with its universal contributions to the health and well-being of both Israel and the United States. Its numerous humanitarian, nonpartisan projects and causes include the well-known Ahava Village for Children and Youth that tends to the care of children who are physically and emotionally abused.
Harmon is known as Hymie to his adoring large Dallas family, which includes former Mayor Pro-Tem Adelene Harrison, Martin Golman, Julius “Red” Coleman, the late Stanley “Joe” Schepps and Julius Schepps and other civic leaders in the Dallas Jewish community who are exemplary in their volunteer work. They are proud to honor a man of great generosity and one of the cherished branches on this family’s already gilded Tree of Life. Julius “Red” Coleman, a Dallas humanitarian legend in his own right, upon hearing that his cousin will be honored, said: “He is a man who deserves to be recognized anytime by anyone, for he does so many good deeds without any fanfare — mostly behind the scenes — and never, ever asked for any recognition for doing that which comes naturally to him.”
Bnai Zion will also honor Monica “Posy” McMillen with Bnai Zion’s America-Israel Friendship Award for her unending love of Israel and educating so many on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. She is truly the example of a Righteous Christian.
Dr. Edward Goodman will be recognized with Bnai Zion’s Humanitarian Award for his service to Israel. He is part of the Galilee Project, which has philanthropic local doctors volunteering their time and medical expertise in Israel to help out in case of an emergency.
Larry Strauss, president of the Texas Region of Bnai Zion Foundation, encourages everyone to contact Avrille Harris-Cohen, “who can be reached at 972-918-9200 for early discounted reservations paid before Sept. 28 and to list your greetings in the Gala Tribute Book.”
Hadassah opening meeting to feature Rachel Lyon
Save the date, Sunday, Aug. 30, when the Dallas Chapter of Hadassah holds their opening meeting and luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Park Lane Ranch, 8787 Park Lane, featuring guest speaker Rachel Lyon.
Lyon is chair of cinema/television at SMU and an Emmy Award–winning director and producer. After filming in Italy this summer on an archaeological dig, bringing stunning images of a work-in-progress for Hadassah, she will present a unique view into the life and work of a documentary filmmaker in our community.
Help the poor of Israel through Yad Eliezer
Yad Eliezer is in trouble — and when Yad Eliezer is in trouble, the people of Israel are in trouble. The organization, which in the past was responsible for supplementing the diets of more than 12,000 of Israel’s neediest families, has been forced to cut down due to a lack of funds.
While many of us bemoan our lower standard of living in the United States, none of it compares with what is going on in Israel.
Consider the mother of four who begs the butcher to give her some scraps of bones and skin for free. Or the woman whose baby is losing weight instead of gaining because she is unable to nurse and cannot buy sufficient formula.
What is a concerned Jew to do? Many in America cannot, in all conscience, do nothing. Following the lead of Amy Baynash of Congregation Ohev Shalom, the Dallas Chapter of Yad Eliezer held two garage sales to raise money for this award-winning charity. The first one made $700 and the second, held Aug. 2, made $1,800.
Chayamiriam Taurog, the chair of the committee, though happy with the results, wishes they had made more. “This is great,” she said, “but the need is so immense….”
Anyone who wishes to help with this incredibly worthy cause or would like more information, please contact Chayamiriam at chayamiriam@yadeliezer.org.
A meaningful way to teach children the importance of lovingkindness is to have your son or daughter who is becoming a bar/bat mitzvah think of his/her peers in Israel who come from impoverished homes. Contact Jackie Shafron at shafron@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Notables in sports
Good luck to 15-year-old Yavneh student Ilana Wernick, daughter of  Sheryl and Stuart Wernick and granddaughter of Diane and Jerry Benjamin and Mary Stevenson.  Ilana will compete next week in France as part of Team USA in the International Rock Climbing Championships.
Mazel tov to Jeff Agoos, who was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Sunday, Aug. 2, in his first year of eligibility.  A  J.J. Pearce graduate and five-time MLS Cup champion, Jeff is currently the sporting director of the New York Red Bulls.