Brad Sham kicks off new year for Beth Torah’s Men’s Club
Thanks to Howard Fields, who shared the following with the TJP: “Over 70 people, including women and young school-aged children, came to Beth Torah on Sunday, Sept. 6, to hear Brad Sham, the voice of the Dallas Cowboys, who was the guest speaker at Congregation Beth Torah’s Men’s Club. His motivational talk was inspiring.
“It was only a few short months previously that he had come to Beth Torah to speak at the service celebrating the life of his father, Jack Sham. In response to a question on how much influence his father had on his life, he replied, ‘The words my brother and I spoke that evening about integrity and dignity were taught to us by him. In the most fundamental way, he set our compasses. He taught me the concept of never giving up. In 1975 when I lost my job in Denver, he told me to follow my dream and don’t quit.’
“Chick Sham, Brad’s mother, and some of her friends also came to hear him speak. She said, ‘It is very meaningful to me to have my son speak here today and for him to get to know my “Beth Torah family” better.’
“How did Brad become the ‘voice of the Cowboys’? He said, ‘It was a bit of good fortune, hard work and one thing just led to another. I was a multi-sports commentator for KRLD radio in the early part of my career. One hat I wore was as the Cowboys’ color commentator on road games. In 1984, Vern Lindquist, the Cowboys’ broadcaster, went to work for CBS and I was chosen to fill his position. I’m now in my 31st year broadcasting Cowboys games.’
“During his talk, he said that ‘it was meaningful for [him] to be back at Beth Torah for its connection to [his] father.’ He feels that his great passion for broadcasting is a gift from God. In addressing the young people in the audience, he told them to work hard and finish school. He said: ‘If you are interested in broadcasting take a job at a radio station. Most importantly, your goal should not be making a lot of money. If that is your only goal, you may not be happy. If you do something you love and chase your dream, the money will come. There are many things in life you cannot control — like the weather, your boss, your parents — but you CAN control your attitude. No one is in charge of you but YOU. The other thing you can control is how hard you are willing to work for something.’
“Brad emphasized, ‘If there is one thing I am grateful for, it is that in later life I found a spiritual path. When I come into a house of worship, I understand who I am. When I come to Beth Torah or any shul, I feel at home.’”
Chabad of Plano/Collin County plans fiery Sukkot celebration
Chabad of Plano/Collin County will celebrate Sukkot with a blaze of glory! Entertainers will provide a spectacular fire show during Chabad’s Family Sukkot Celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, at the Lang Chabad Center’s sukkah at 3904 West Park Blvd. in Plano.
Of course, the traditions of Sukkot will be the centerpiece of the family celebration, which is open to the public. The children will decorate a drum to be used for an interactive story and dancing. A blessing on the Sukkot symbols of the lulav and etrog will take place, and live music and dinner will complete the evening.
But everybody’s eyes will be on the spectacular fire show, to take place outside the sukkah. It will amaze and astound every member of the family. People will talk about it for days afterward.
The fire show reflects a Sukkot tradition that took place at the simchat beit hashoevah (the festival of drawing well water) in old Jerusalem. The water was drawn and then poured on the altar. To celebrate this occasion, huge candlesticks were filled with oil by young Kohanim. The candlesticks were lit by wicks made of worn-out garments of the priests. Every courtyard in Jerusalem reflected that light. Men of piety and good deeds used to dance before the crowds with burning torches in their hands, singing songs and praises. The joy of the water drawing was so intense that our sages say “One who has not witnessed the celebration of the water drawing has never seen real joy.” This year, a form of that ritual will take place at Chabad’s festive celebration.
Cost, including dinner, is $5 per person. Children ages 3 and younger will be admitted free. For more information about this event, call 972-596-8270 or visit www.chabadplano.org. Chabad’s Family Sukkot Celebration is sponsored by Dr. Paul Rubin and Frisco Kids Dentistry.
Emanu-El’s Couples Club to party, enjoy dinner and music
Temple Emanu-El Couples Club is planning an exciting evening event on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and entertainment will be at the May Dragon Restaurant in Addison.
Sarah Yarrin, chairman of this event, says the highlight of the evening will be a musical performance by hit recording artist Richard Barry, a comedian, singer and impressionist who has performed on cruise ships and at other venues for many years. Barry sings the songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and others.
Cost for this fun evening is $14 per person for Couples Club members. For more information, call Sarah Yarrin at 214-361-0486. Reservations are required.
The Temple Emanu-El Couples Club is a social club open to all members of the Temple. One of the couple must be 55 years of age or older. If interested in joining, call Membership Chairmen Nelda and Stan Golden 214-987-3304, or Blanche and Sol Weinberger 972-934-9681.
The JCC and the Temple Emanu-El Couples Club are co-sponsoring Wednesday Dance Nights at the J. Contact the J for the dates of upcoming dances open to the entire community. It is not necessary to be a member of the J or the Couples Club to attend.
Levine Academy to hold series of campus previews
The Ann and Nate Levine Academy will hold a series of Campus Previews for parents interested in enrolling their children for the 2010–2011 school year. The previews will provide parents with the opportunity to meet the administration and teachers and learn about Levine’s state-of-the-art curriculum.
Kindergarten: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m.
First Grade: Tuesday, Oct.20, 7 p.m.
Grades 5–8: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Campus Previews will be held at the Levine Academy, 18011 Hillcrest.
For further information or to RSVP, please call Director of Admissions Anna Popp at 972-248-3032, ext. 138, or e-mail her at apopp@levineacademy.org.
Book talk Oct. 8 with Levine Academy K-8 Principal Dr. Susie Wolbe
In preparation for Dr. Susie Wolbe’s discussion of “7 Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It” she urges parents of children from preschool age to grade eight to read it before the Oct. 8, 9 a.m. meeting at Levine Academy, 18011 Hillcrest Road. The book, by Susan Zimmerman and Chryse Hutchins, provides shortcut, easy-to-follow tips that will help parents aid their children to become excellent readers; suggestions are provided for preschool, emerging and advancing readers. This is a must-have for every parent. Please RSVP to Shirley Green-King at 972-248-3032, ext. 118. The entire community is welcome.