Dania Tanur, Brent Weinberg inducted into prestigious international Honor Society

Ann and Nate Levine Academy eighth-grade students Dania Tanur and Brent Weinberg were two of the 50 students nationwide to be inducted into the prestigious American Hebrew Academy Honor Society. The American Hebrew Academy, in Greensboro, N.C., is America’s premier Jewish pluralistic college-prep boarding school. The Honor Society was formed to identify the most outstanding eighth-grade Jewish students from around the world. The search produced hundreds of nominations. All Honor Society inductees received invitations to the Academy’s beautiful 100-acre campus for a scholars’ weekend to be held March 12–14.
“To be named a member of the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society is a great achievement,” said Mark Spielman, director of the Honor Society. “We look forward to meeting each of the honorees and following their successes as they make great contributions to our society.” Students selected to participate in the scholars’ program have exhibited an impressive set of accomplishments, given their age. Dania was chosen by the selection committee because of her intelligence, athletic prowess, leadership ability and commitment to tikkun olam. Brent was chosen because of his commitment to Judaism, intellectual curiosity and athletic prowess.
During the scholars’ weekend, all Honor Society nominees will engage in an exceptional program on leadership that will include riveting discussions, fascinating classes and renowned speakers. All Honor Society students will be acknowledged at an induction ceremony and have the opportunity to win one of five annual scholarships worth $20,000 a year to attend the American Hebrew Academy.
“Levine Academy is an exceptional institution with an outstanding faculty and student body. Identifying stellar eighth-grade students, such as Dania and Brent, is in keeping with our mission to mentor the Jewish leaders of tomorrow,” said Leslie Grossman, director of admissions.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting the Honor Society Web site at www.ahahonorsociety.org.

Points 4 Peace Tournament set for March 21

Sports fans from first grade through adult, and a first-time addition of a division for those living with special needs — Points 4 Peace Special Edition — are invited to participate in the eighth annual Points 4 Peace Tournament, to be held on Sunday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Aaron Family JCC in North Dallas. Points for Peace, a 3-on-3 “Hoop it Up” style basketball tournament for all ages, is an opportunity to play basketball, spend time with friends and family and win prizes while helping Israel’s victims of terrorism.
This year’s proceeds will be donated to One Family Fund’s Sderot Aftershock Project, which supports the children of Sderot. “We’re helping children who live near the Gaza Strip, for whom walking to the park or school, or standing outside their homes, is a danger and rockets land at their doorsteps daily,” said Ethan Prescott ‘10, president of SAT, which has raised more than $375,000 in the last eight years.
Carter BloodCare will also be on-site, from 2 to 4 p.m., for those wishing to donate blood, in addition to their support of SAT’s programs.
Registration is $20/player until March 14; from March 15 to 19, it is $30/player. In addition, each team must raise $200 to be donated to the One Family Fund’s Sderot Aftershock Project. All money can be sent in advance to 12324 Merit Drive, Dallas, TX 75251, or brought to the door on March 21. For more information, call 214-546-2055 or visit www.studentsagainstterrorism.org.

Pianist/educator Mark Kreditor to perform at Zale Auditorium, April 22

Mark Kreditor, pianist, educator and author, will present “Jews of the American Songbook — From ‘Gypsy’ to ‘Bye Bye Birdie’” in the Zale Auditorium at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, on Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. Watch for further details.

Matzah Bakery at the J

Learn the art of making matzah just in time for Passover! Chabad of Dallas and the J are co-sponsoring “Matzah Bakery at the J,” Sunday, March 21 through Friday, March 26. Highlight of this hands-on event is a Family Day on March 21, 1–3 p.m. at the J, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas. Cost is $2/J member, $3/non-member. Advance reservations are required. Please contact Rachelle Weiss Crane, rweisscrane@jccdallas.org or 214-239-7128, to RSVP.

Akiba presents the 2010 National Junior Honor Society inductees

The leadership team, faculty, staff and students of Akiba Academy congratulate the Akiba seventh- and eighth-grade students who were recently inducted into the 2010 edition of the National Junior Honor Society, NJHS. Language Arts faculty member Rachel Schneider, the program sponsor, welcomed families and introduced the inductees at a recent ceremony held in their honor.
Leadership team member Dr. Beverly Millican presented a short history of the Society, including the criteria considered for selection — scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship and character. Akiba graduates and NJHS inductees Justine Berman ‘08 (Scholarship), Benjamin Liener ‘08 (Service and Leadership) and Gabby Steinbrecher ‘08 (Citizenship and Character), currently students of Yavneh Academy, gave an overview of the parameters of qualification for each category.
Dr. Millican also shared the following words: “It is important for our new inductees to not only know they are being recognized for their accomplishments in the categories just mentioned, but that alongside this honor comes the challenge to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.”
The new inductees received official membership certificates and pins from the leadership team, and each took a turn at lighting the symbolic candle. As a group, in front of their peers and the very proud members of their families, they took the NJHS pledge, accepting the ongoing commitment to serve their school and their community.