Congratulations to Levine Academy students
Twenty-five fifth- and seventh-grade students at the Ann and Nate Levine Academy have qualified for the 2009 Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP). To qualify, students must have scored at the 95th percentile or higher on the verbal or math sections on the standardized achievement test taken last year.
Duke TIP, the largest program of its kind in the nation, identifies gifted children and provides resources to nurture the development of these exceptionally bright youngsters. Qualifying fifth-grade students may participate in Duke TIP’s Talent Search program and are given the opportunity to take the EXPLORE test which was developed by ACT for eighth-graders to evaluate their academic development. In addition, the fifth-grade students receive a variety of academic resource materials, academic courses they can do at home, and the opportunity to participate in the Talent Search Writing Contest. Qualifying seventh-grade students may participate in the Seventh Grade Talent Search program and are invited to take either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance exam with high school juniors and seniors. Students performing at a certain level on the SAT or ACT receive national recognition for their outstanding achievements and are invited to participate in a variety of summer academic college-based programs throughout their high school years.
“We are so proud that we consistently have a strong percentage of our fifth- and seventh-grade students qualify for TIP,” said K-8 Principal Dr. Susie Wolbe. “We attribute this not only to their natural abilities, but also to the strong curricular base the school provides. We never teach to the test. We simply stress the skills required for a student to be successful. This is why our students excel again and again.”
Congratulations to the following students qualifying for the Seventh Grade TIP: Raphe Burstein, Joseph Cheniae, Ben Crane, Braden Fineberg, Jacob Herstein, Brittany Horowitz, Austin Jacoby, Melissa Kurtzman, Mikayla Lewison, Andrew Murphy, Grant Prengler, Ryan Rawitscher, Serina Romick, Zac Romick, Ryan Subel and Jacob Weiner.
And to those who qualified for the Fifth Grade TIP: Zev Burstein, Marlee Fleisher, Jonathan Nurko, Josh Rudner, Zach Rudner, Adam Subel, Mira Fradkin, Claire Spigel, Sophie Bernstein.
Topsy Turvy Bus at Aaron JCC
Youngsters and adults will be interested in visiting the Topsy Turvy Bus at the Aaron Family JCC, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2–4 p.m., at the Sports and Fitness entrance.
Take advantage of the incredible opportunity to be part of a cross-country bus tour that brings innovative Jewish programming to our community! In the process, learn all about climate change and ways that you can help solve environmental issues. The bus arrives in Dallas during Chanukah and helps children and adults learn the value of tikkun olam or repairing the world.
Contact Rachelle Weiss Crane at rweisscrane@jccdallas.org for more information about this exciting learning opportunity.
Pollman Lecture Series to present Bryan Rigg’s story on ‘Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers’
The Dallas Jewish Historical Society will present another session in the Harold A. Pollman Lecture Series, with guest speaker Dr. Bryan Mark Rigg, on Sunday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m. at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center’s Zale Auditorium.
Bryan Rigg’s talk, titled “Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers: Questions of Identity and Morality during the Third Reich,” is based on hundreds of interviews he conducted with German Jewish Mischlinge (partial Jews) for his first book, which stemmed from his work on his doctoral dissertation. His research uncovered that as many as 150,000 Jews and partial Jews served, often with distinction, in the German military during World War II. His interviews revealed the nature and extent of the dilemma faced by the Mischlinge who served: divided loyalties and states of constant tension.
Rigg earned his Ph.D. from Cambridge University and received his B.A. from Yale. Although raised as a Protestant, he discovered his own Jewish roots while conducting his research and converted to Judaism. He served as a volunteer in the Israeli Army and as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. From 2000 to 2006, he taught history at Southern Methodist University and American Military University. He runs his own wealth management firm and currently resides in Dallas. His latest book is a History Book Club and Military Book Club selection. A limited number of his books will be available for purchase after his talk.
Rigg’s book, “Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers: The Untold Story of Nazi Racial Laws and Men of Jewish Descent in the German Military,” won the prestigious Colby Award from the William E. Colby Military Writers Symposium.
His “Rescued From The Reich: How One of Hitler’s Soldiers Saved the Lubavitcher Rebbe” uncovers the true story of the rescue and of the secret collaboration between American officials and German military intelligence that made it possible.
Rigg is currently working on a new book, “Stories of Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers.”
This program is part of a continuing series graciously sponsored by Harold Pollman for the purpose of bringing to Dallas national experts on topics of interest to the Dallas Jewish community. Admission is free and the program is open to the public. To RSVP or for more information, call 214-239-7120 or e-mail the Society at dtobias@djhs.com.
The Dallas Jewish Historical Society serves as a repository for artifacts, personal papers and records of individuals, organizations and businesses, documenting the contributions and growth of the entire Dallas Jewish community.
Connecting Our Faiths program this Sunday
The three distinguished speakers at this Sunday’s discussion of “Jesus in Judaism, Christianity and Islam” include Jewish scholar Dr. Howard Cohen, Mormon Bishop Bruce White and Imam Muhammad Shakoor. They will each give their perspective from the Torah, Bible and Qur’an. Questions and answers will follow.
The free program will be held at 5 p.m. at the Church of Latter Day Saints, 10701 E. Lake Highlands Drive, Dallas.
“Jesus in Judaism, Christianity and Islam” is the third of four ongoing educational programs that have studied Abraham and Moses and will also examine how Judaism, Christianity and Islam view Mohammed. A reception will be held to continue dialogue when the program concludes. Future programs will take place in numerous houses of worship of all faiths from Muslim mosques in the north to African American churches in southern Dallas.
Special Needs Initiative and Yachad to host ‘A Community of Families’ Dec. 13
The Special Needs Initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and Yachad are hosting a Chanukah celebration with music therapist Marcie Friedman of Southwestern Music Therapy on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Marcie will make a presentation to the adults on the benefits of music and how to incorporate it into all aspects of children’s lives. Then, she will join the children to help them make a Chanukah craft project, and will perform for the children. Yachad provides individuals with special needs opportunities for personal growth and social experiences. The goal of the Special Needs Initiative is to enhance the lives of those with special needs and help them overcome obstacles.
A Community of Families is a networking group for caregivers of children with special needs. All programs are appropriate for children and adults of all ages.
The Chanukah event is free, but reservations are required. For more information, contact Paige Rothstein at 214-239-7192 or prothstein@jfgd.org. To learn more about Yachad, visit www.njcd.org or contact Yachad coordinator Rabbi Jay Weinstein at jw15@aol.com.