Bennett Greenspan: discovering Jewish history through the lens of DNA testing
The Dallas Jewish Historical Society will present another offering of its “Harold A. Pollman Lecture Series,” with acclaimed speaker and DNA expert, Bennett Greenspan. The program will accompany the Dallas Jewish Historical Society’s Annual Meeting and board installation at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26 in the Zale Auditorium of the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas.
Bennett Greenspan will discuss researching Jewish history through the lens of DNA testing. His presentation will show the overlap between Jewish DNA found in Ashkenazi/Mizrachi and Sephardic populations and will shed light on the amazing stories that non-Jews who have found a Jewish ancestry share with him on a weekly basis. Plus, Greenspan will discuss the newest test for finding Jewish relatives out to 4th or 5th cousins.
Since its founding in 2000, Family Tree DNA has become the largest non-medical DNA testing company in the world. As an entrepreneur and life-long genealogy enthusiast, Greenspan turned his hobby into a full-time vocation and his effort and innovation created the burgeoning field of genetic genealogy. Family Tree DNA is associated with the Arizona Research Labs, led by Dr. Michael Hammer, one of the world’s leading authorities in the field of Y-DNA genetics. Renowned scientists serve on its advisory board. With over 255,000 records, Family Tree DNA has the largest database of its kind in the world. Family Tree DNA and other cooperative ventures, including the National Geographic Society’s Genographic Project and AfricanDNA.com, now comprise the world’s largest non-medical DNA testing program.
A native Nebraskan, Greenspan received his B.A. from the University of Texas and spent years investigating the ancestors of his maternal grandfather, an obsession which led to the founding of Family Tree DNA. His business career has spanned photographic equipment and supplies, real estate, the pro-college website GoCollege.com, Family Tree DNA, and is now involved in DNATraits.com, a new medical genetic testing company. A limited number of DNA testing kits will be available for purchase after his talk.
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. For reservations, call 214-239-7120 or e-mail the Society at info@djhs.org.
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.
Akiba will be in bloom next Wednesday, May 26
Akiba Academy will hold its first Fine Arts Festival, “Bloom,” sponsored by Discovery, Akiba’s new after school enrichment program.
Designed for students in preschool through 8th grade, the Discovery philosophy offers children the chance to explore their interests, develop skills and tap into talents with best-in-class specialists in fine arts, athletics and language and learning.
Whether children are experiencing a variety of artistic media in Akiba’s state-of-the-art visual arts studio, exploring movement, vocal technique and creative, dramatic games as part of the theater troupe, developing an appreciation and skill in music and performance in choir and instruments, or in developing technique and style in ballet, Discovery’s Fine Arts department stimulates creativity and celebrates sharing and learning.
It is with this spirit that Akiba presents the “BLOOM” Fine Arts Festival which has been inspirational to students and instrumental in allowing children to discover who they have been, who they are and who they yearn to be.
Every aspect represents more than 120 students involved in Akiba’s Discovery Fine Arts including a visual arts gallery filling Akiba’s hallways, performances by the choir; bells and recorders; Origami and Latin art created by Akiba’s Mandarin and Spanish classes. Theater Troupe and ballet dancers will entertain. For more information, call Akiba at 214-295-3400.
Erwin Waldman golf tournament set for June 7
The Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas is proud to announce the 23rd annual North Dallas Bank & Trust Co./Erwin Waldman golf tournament. It will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 7 at the Coyote Ridge Golf Club in Carrollton. Proceeds will benefit camp and preschool scholarships at the JCC. The tournament consists of morning and afternoon rounds with breakfast and lunch for golfers and volunteers, culminating with an awards banquet announcing winners of the day. For player and sponsorship information, contact Kerri Aikin at 214-239-7103 or by e-mail, kaikin@jccdallas.org.
Families will enjoy Music Together at grand opening on May 23
It will be the biggest “Hello Song” ever sung as Gila Vinokur, director of Music Together of Dallas, opens her new North Dallas studio with the bang of a drum and the sound of families singing from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 23.
To celebrate, Ms. Vinokur has invited local children’s entertainers Julia Geffen Rogers, Beyond the Pale and Razzle Dazzle the Clown to entertain while families sing, dance and play in a “musical instrument petting zoo.” All in the community are welcome to enjoy the grand opening with a free concert, face-painting, complimentary food and drinks, prize drawings and other fun for the whole family, including the opportunity to star in a music video of “The Hello Song.”
Vinokur’s passion is guiding children and families to express and develop their natural musicality.
“You are your child’s favorite singer,” Vinokur said, emphasizing the point that parents who give infants and young children informal music time tend to bond deeply.
“Enjoy it!” the South African native encourages parents and grandparents in her classes. “Sing in the car! Sing in the park, sing at the store and while you’re doing things around the house. Especially sing lullabies at bedtime.”
In addition to the feel-good reasons to make music, Vinokur points to academic studies that validate other benefits of song.
Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University, author of the bestselling books “Frames of Mind” and “Ways of Knowing,” classifies musicality among the multiple intelligences humans possess.
Gardner suggests that children with musical intelligence tend to learn and perform well in school because their comfort with and aptitude for auditory processing predisposes them to acquire knowledge through sound. Musically intelligent children can more easily follow directions and pay attention to people talking. Language skills are typically highly developed in those whose base intelligence is musical. Musically intelligent children are inclined to learn well from lectures and perform well on standardized tests.
According to The Total Learning Initiative research project conducted in Bridgeport, Conn., test scores and self-confidence are measurably higher among children who are provided with early exposure to music.
“Look at them, smile, listen to your children singing and join in,” Vinokur said. “There is no happier moment for a child than making music together with an adult.”
Music Together Dallas is located at 17404 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, at the southeast corner of Hillcrest and McCallum. For more information, contact Judy Safern, 214-432-0899 or judy@leadingthinkers.com.
Business scene: Windsor Senior Living welcomes Amanda Bachman
Amanda B. Bachman has joined Windsor Senior Living as director of Sales & Marketing. Prior to joining Windsor Senior Living, Amanda honed her skills in the extremely competitive Texas and Northeast real estate market.
Amanda’s success is a direct result of her hands-on management style. She has a talent for recruiting, developing, motivating and leading productive sales teams. She also enjoys guiding families and being considered an expert in senior housing. Her ability to improve individual and team performance through incentives, skills training and coaching is invaluable.
Amanda is gym enthusiast; where she maximizes her networking skills. She has a passion for giving back to the Jewish community and is involved in numerous civic organizations. Proud of Amanda’s success is husband, Brian.
You can visit Amanda at the newly licensed Windsor Senior Living ; Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care TODAY for a complimentary lunch in their private dining room.