Stan and Barbara Levenson receive a hearty honor
Stan and Barbara Levenson, civic leaders and strategic communications professionals in the Greater Dallas community, received the Heart of a Champion Award for their fervent support of and ongoing contributions to Heart House Dallas, a free after-school educational program that provides a safe haven and academic support for at-risk children while encouraging them to become good citizens. The special award was presented to the Levensons during the Heart of a Champion Luncheon held recently to celebrate Heart House Dallas’ 10-year anniversary.
Participating to honor the Levensons at the luncheon were Bill Lively, president and CEO, North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, the keynote luncheon speaker; Everson Walls, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, honorary chairman; Scott Murray, local personality and master of ceremonies; and former Dallas police chief, David Kunkle and his wife, Sarah Todd. In addition to these strong supporters of Heart House Dallas, Suzanne Kiefer, founder of the organization; numerous corporate sponsors; advocates; Heart House Dallas board members and staff were also on hand to recognize the couple.
The Levensons, who have been family and business partners for 48 years, have actively contributed their time and resources in helping the Dallas community grow and prosper. Along with their business, The Levenson Group, which provides integrated advertising, public relations, promotional, digital and multi-cultural services, Stan and Barbara have served on boards of leading university, civic and not-for-profit organizations. For Heart House Dallas, the Levensons believe and wholeheartedly support the organization’s mantra, helping children to change their lives, those of their families and the Dallas community, one child at a time.
“Stan and Barbara have been gracious and tireless supporters of Heart House Dallas throughout the years,” said Jeff Hamilton, chairman, Heart House Dallas board of directors. “We are proud to present them with our Heart of a Champion Award to recognize their efforts both with public relations and advertising guidance and activities as well as being generous and consistent donors through funds and in-kind donations of printing and advertising.
“Heart House Dallas helps children who need it the most at a time in their lives where the help can make the most difference and the Levensons play an integral part in helping to make that difference,” Hamilton added.
Heart House Dallas provides a safe, nurturing environment for children to develop in addition to academic support, helping them through each success to build their self-confidence significantly both at school and in life, with the opportunity to become the best they can be as individuals.
“Words can not express how humbled and appreciative Barbara and I are in receiving the Heart of a Champion Award,” Stan Levenson said. “We are passionate about Heart House Dallas and its focus on helping children and their families who might otherwise not have opportunities to grow and be nurtured.
“If we can help even one child to become successful in life as a person and an active participant in the community, Barbara and I feel truly gratified,” Levenson continued.
Nearly 136,000 children in Dallas County need quality after-school care. At Heart House Dallas, children have access to caring adult role models, homework assistance, art enrichment, computer learning, health and safety topics and literacy programs.
Heart House has touched the lives of hundreds of children since September 2000. By giving these children a safe environment, the program protects them from the idleness and negative elements they may encounter when they step off the school bus and while walking to their homes. For more information, see www.hearthousedallas.org.
CSI hosts Rabbi Bernard Eisenman
Congregation Shearith Israel will host Rabbi Bernard Eisenman as the rabbi-in-residence for the next five weeks. Rabbi Eisenman will be assisted by the rabbis and staff of Shearith in teaching many of the weekly adult education classes and offering interactive text study on Shabbat mornings.
The community is invited to a free Sunday morning class that will include deluxe breakfast and Starbucks coffee, titled “The Wisdom of Wisdom: How to Create an Ethical Dimension to Your Life.” This class will begin on Sunday, Oct. 17 and continue through Sunday, Nov. 14, 9:30–10:30 a.m. at Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Ave.
Rabbi Eisenman’s rabbinic career actually began in Texas at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and Congregation B’nai Israel in Corpus Christi. For over 40 years he served the American rabbinate in Denver, Colo., at Congregation Rodef Shalom and at Temple Emunah, Lexington, Mass., where he is rabbi emeritus after almost 20 years as the rabbinic leader. In 2005, Rabbi Eisenman taught several courses at the former Dallas Beyt Midrash in Biblical psychology and modern Jewish philosophy. Currently he is adjunct instructor of Judaic studies at Florida Atlantic University Life Long Learning Center.
Many congregants at Shearith were members of his previous congregations and are eager for his extended stay. Extremely excited about the visit of Rabbi Eisenman and his wife Billie are CSI congregants Shira and Matt Goldberg, their daughter and son-in-law!
The power of ethical teaching will be explored in the “Wisdom of Wisdom” course. By studying one of the most fascinating books of the Bible, the Book of Proverbs, one can start to answer life’s enduring questions. What is the reward of virtue? What is the best way to raise a child? Can we ever attain an ideal life? What is good and evil? How do we make the right choice? There is no cost for the classes, which are open to the community, but please remember to register in advance by contacting Joyce Wakefield at jwakefield@shearith.org or 214-361-6606.
Please visit www.shearith.org for a complete listing of all the sessions Rabbi Eisenman will be teaching for the next five weeks.
‘Crossing the Line’ examines anti-Semitism on campus
“When people criticize Zionists they mean Jews. You are talking about anti-Semitism.” — Martin Luther King Jr., Harvard, 1968
The Southwest Jewish Congress, along with the ADL, AIPAC and Hillel, will present a special film screening and panel discussion of “Crossing the Line” on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Plano Studio Movie Grill, 4721 W. Park Blvd., Plano.
“Crossing the Line: The Intifada Comes to Campus” explores the proliferation of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incidents on many North American college campuses, and demonstrates the blurring of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic lines amongst some college students and professors. The film shows the financial ties between Middle Eastern Studies departments and Arab states and the often biased and pro-Palestinian education received by students in college classes, together with accounts from Jewish students and campus professionals who are actively involved in the daily struggle of supporting the state of Israel and fighting against biased misinformation both in and out of the classroom.
The panel — Roberta Clark, ADL; Rabbi Heidi Coretz, Hillel of Dallas; Chaplain Stephen Rankin, SMU; Danielle Rugoff, AIPAC; and Jonathan Spigel, SWJC, moderator — will review the alarming ramifications of the film and discuss practical ways to help Jewish and pro-Israel students deal with this growing phenomenon on campus.
This event is free and open to the public (food and beverages are available for purchase from Studio Movie Grill.) The program is intended for high school and college students, parents and interested community members.
Space is limited, and reservations are encouraged. For more information or to RSVP, please call the SWJC office, 214-361-0018.
