Get an inside look at the IDF
Israel Defense Forces Col. (res.) Bentzi Gruber will be the guest speaker at Congregation Ohr HaTorah at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 7. He will discuss “Ethics in the Field: An Inside Look at the Israel Defense Forces.”
Col. Gruber served as vice-commander of over 18,000 soldiers and as an active member of the IDF Reserves for over 20 years. He will explore the daily dilemmas facing IDF commanders in locating terrorists within a civilian population, the IDF’s unique code of ethics and the truth about the war in Gaza.
The program will include classified IDF footage, shocking statistics and fascinating personal accounts from the field. Col. Gruber’s highly acclaimed presentations have brought critical information and perspectives on ethics in wartime and the day-to-day challenges of a war on terror to military academies, college campuses and communities around the world.
Fee for the program, open to the entire community, is $10. Congregation Ohr HaTorah is located at 6324 Churchill Way, Dallas. For information, please call 972-404-8980.
‘Death of a Salesman’ to benefit three day schools, JCC
Four Jewish institutions — Akiba Academy, the Ann and Nate Levine Academy, Yavneh High School and the Jewish Community Center of Dallas — have been selected to benefit from the Dallas Theatre Center’s Thursday, May 13 performance of Arthur Miller’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning drama, “Death of a Salesman,” starring the highly acclaimed, award-winning theater, film and television actor Jeffrey DeMunn as Willy Loman. The performance will take place in the Potter Rose Performance Hall of the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. This historic partnering of the four institutions known as One Night — One Community — One Cause is an opportunity to raise much-needed funds for scholarships and cultural programming. Now more than ever, help is needed. Currently, more than $2.2 million is required each year to provide tuition assistance to families who desire a Jewish education for their children.
Hopeless fathers and sons are a favorite theme of Arthur Miller’s, and “Death of a Salesman” is one of the quintessential pieces of modern American theater. Written in 1949, this timeless tale, in actuality, is a beautiful portrait of a family dealing with hardships and troubles. It is a tragedy about the collapse of the notion that personal success is measured by one’s financial prosperity. It teaches us that Willy Loman is Everyman — and that we’re all part of a system that pushes the lie that materialism measures the worth of people. To exclude basic human values, knowledge, community and love, is to court disaster, and in Loman’s case, self-destruction. How very relevant it still is 61 years later!
For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please call Judy Cohn at 214-239-7115 or Marilyn Rutner at 214-295-3400.
Kudos to the following sponsors: Producer ($18,000+) Schultz Family, Romaner Family; Director ($10,000+) Carol and Steve Aaron, Five States Energy Company, LLC, Ann and Nate Levine, Texas Jewish Post; Choreographer ($5,000+) Lori and Joel Alhadef, The Blasnik Family, Idea Planet LP, Stacey and Don Kivowitz, Carol and Mark Kreditor, NCH Corporation c/o Walter Levy, Ann Rosenberg, Ruthy and Steve Rosenberg, Sandra and David Veeder; Stage Manager ($2,500+) Randall and Lisa Fleisher Philanthropic Fund, Lizzy and Dr. Jules Greif, Humana Insurance Company, Randall and Darci Iola, Ironstone Bank, Barbara and David Radunsky, Waldman Bros., Bonnie and Jeffrey Whitman; Leading Role ($1,000+) Sara and Mark Albert, Barbara and Arthur Altman, Bank of Texas, James Beaman (Barkwood Mortgage Solutions), Business Express Press, Shay and Kineret Cohen, Marci and Mark Frenkel, Ynette and Jim Hogue, Angela and Gary Horowitz, Kahn Mechanical Contractors, Malouf, Lynch, Jackson and Swinson, Cindy and Mitch Moskowitz, Don O’Quinn, Frank and Helen Risch, Sheri and Andrew Rosen, The Rubin Family Foundation (Ron, Pam and Todd Rubin, Jay, Julie and Sally Liberman), Steve and Lisa Rudner, Sury and David Sacher, Etty and Jack Sardas, Larry and Celia Schoenbrun, Simcha Kosher Catering, Wendy and Marc Stanley, Tobolowsky & Burk, P.C., and Jerry Zahler.
Two prominent Dallas attorneys announce new partnership
Congratulations to Dallas attorneys Roger L. Mandel and Blake L. Beckham, who have announced their partnership and the formation of their new firm, Beckham & Mandel. They have made this move to create a firm that offers the very best in both business trial and plaintiffs’ class action representation.
Firms that have a good track record in trying and settling complex business cases typically don’t have the expertise required to successfully prosecute large class actions against corporate giants, and class action firms almost never have the ability to try complex individual business cases. The union of the two is unprecedented, and Beckham & Mandel are expected to excel in both arenas.
Roger L. Mandel, formerly of Stanley, Mandel & Iola, is a nationally-known class action lawyer who has been lead counsel and liaison counsel in class action cases across the country. Mandel’s efforts have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured consumers. He successfully conducted one of the only two class actions known to have been tried to a jury verdict in the Texas state courts. He is a frequent author and lecturer on class action topics. He has been named as a Texas Super Lawyer in the Class Action/Mass Torts category since the inception of the ratings in 2003.
“I am thrilled to have Roger Mandel as my partner to lead our class action practice and complement the talent of our strong business litigation and trial team,” said Blake L. Beckham. “Roger is a top trial lawyer, handling major national business and class action cases. His presence will allow us to significantly broaden our capabilities for our U.S. and international clientele.”
Blake L. Beckham has led The Beckham Group since 1994, establishing an overwhelming record of success in commercial litigation. Remarkably, Beckham has never lost a jury trial. He too, has been elected by his peers and annually named a Texas Super Lawyer (in the Business Litigation category) since 2005.
His practice focuses on complex business cases for medium and small businesses and sophisticated individuals. Beckham prosecutes complex litigation in all federal and state courts, representing plaintiffs and defendants.
Dr. Joel Roffman to ride for MS for 13th time
It’s no surprise to find a doctor who is physically fit. When Richardson cardiologist Joel Roffman mounts his bicycle on May 1, he will be combining fitness with fundraising in a big way.
The bike ride — the MS150 — will cover 163 miles over two days before finishing with a grand celebration in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square. Dr. Roffman will join 3,000 riders to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The bike ride funds research and provides patient support services for those with MS. Last year’s ride raised approximately $3 million.
This will be the 13th MS150 for Dr. Roffman, who has maintained his fitness over the years despite a busy medical practice, health issues and other volunteer activities. He learned of the ride when his wife presented him with a brochure she had picked up at a local grocery store. “Are you trying to kill me?” he asked her. But the purpose of the ride and the satisfaction of accomplishing a challenging physical feat as well as helping those in need have kept him coming back each year.
“The funds raised through this ride and other such events have contributed to the great progress made in treating multiple sclerosis. I’m grateful for the privilege of being able to play a small part in that progress,” said Dr. Roffman, who will become president of the Dallas Jewish Historical Society this May, and is actively involved with his synagogue, Congregation Shearith Israel.
For more information, or to join Dr. Roffman on the ride, e-mail him at joel.roffman@gmail.com.
To donate to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in support of Dr. Roffman’s efforts, visit the web site www.bikemstexas.org and follow the link to the May 1 ride.
Stop and shop at Eliza’s
Eliza Epstein has done it again. Cozy, inviting and full of unexpected little surprises, Eliza’s Little Shop offers handcrafted jewelry, accessories, clothing and gifts from artists near and far. The shop, conveniently located at 4318 West Lovers Lane, is open noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Looking for furniture? Eliza’s Little Shop has it. Shop her new and antique pieces from Texas and around the world that’ll turn your house into a home.
When it’s time to give a gift, skip the lame gift cards and treat your friends to something truly unique. From purses to boots to one-of-a-kind jewelry, Eliza’s has the perfect birthday find for every one of your best friends.
Stop by Eliza’s Little Shop today and pick up some inspiration.