Abbii Cook is named new youth director at J

Abbii Cook has been named the new youth director at the JCC. Cook grew up in Kansas City, but has lived in eight states in her life. Most recently, Abbii lived in New York, where she worked at Hillel–The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life at Hofstra University. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a BA in Judaic studies and communication, she spent a year working at the American Hebrew Academy, the only pluralistic Jewish boarding school in North America, located in Greensboro, N.C. At a very young age she discovered her love of tikkun olam (community service) and that passion has only grown over the years. She has been fortunate to travel with students to New Orleans to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, as well as to Israel and to Nicaragua to help build a school. Abbii is very excited to be a part of the JCC team and to have the opportunity to combine her passion for working with Jewish youth and community service, and she looks forward to meeting everyone!
One of Cook’s first orders of business will be “Totally Cool J Game Day” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Kids in grades K–6 can enjoy flag football, crafts, swimming and more. Cost is $40 for J members and $50 for non-members. Extended care is available. Kids should bring a kosher sack lunch, tennis shoes, swimsuit and towel.
She is also in charge of winter break camp with fun activities, games and trips. Camp runs from December 20-31. Cost is $50 per day for J members and $65 a day for non-members.
For more information and to register, contact Abbii at 214-239-7189 or acook@jccdallas.org.

Beth Torah auction is this Saturday night

Congregation Beth Torah is hosting an auction of art, Judaica, and sports and music memorabilia on Saturday night, Nov. 20. All proceeds are going to help pay off the synagogue’s mortgage.
Several hundred pieces of art are being supplied and auctioned by State of the Art, a New York–based company that stages art-sale fundraisers around the country.
“We’ve had very successful auctions at Beth Torah before, and several factors made us think it’s time to do it again,” said Mike Precker, president of the Beth Torah Men’s Club, which is organizing and underwriting the event.
“The company recently added sports and music memorabilia, which really broadens the appeal, and we’ll have a great selection in every price range. Plus, the timing is perfect for Chanukah, and paying down our mortgage is a cause near and dear to our hearts.”
There’s no admission charge for the auction, and the Men’s Club is providing refreshments. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at Beth Torah, 720 W. Lookout Drive, Richardson. For more information, call the synagogue at 972-234-1542.

Legacy at Willow Bend staff member wins award at Alzheimer’s conference

Monica Waweru, certified nurse aid at The Legacy at Willow Bend, recently won the Mary and Neil Anderson and Mildred Oppenheimer Caregiver Award at the Alzheimer’s Association R.J. Price Caregiver Conference awards ceremony.
Unknown to Waweru, staff members at The Legacy at Willow Bend nominated her for her amazing and dedicated work with the residents in memory care at The Legacy. Waweru was surprised as she walked up to the stage to accept her commemorative plaque.
“It was touching to see Monica’s reaction as she received the caregiver award,” said Sheila Campos, director of assisted living of The Legacy at Willow Bend. “She has an uncanny ability to win the trust and cooperation of our Alzheimer residents. She treats them as if they were her own mother or father, which makes her an amazing nurse aid and a valuable team member.”
“It is people like Monica who make The Legacy at Willow Bend such an outstanding facility for people like my brother Jack,” said Eleanor Sprowl, sister and guardian to an Alzheimer resident at The Legacy. “I am thrilled to hear of her award as she is certainly deserving of it.”
The Legacy at Willow Bend, Plano’s first and only life care retirement community, is situated on a 28-acre site at Spring Creek Parkway between Preston Road and Ohio Drive. It offers resort-style services and amenities for active, independent seniors, as well as all levels of health care services on-site. The community features 103 independent living apartment homes, 12 custom independent living villas, 40 assisted living apartment homes, 18 memory support suites, and 60 private skilled health care suites. The Legacy at Willow Bend is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit retirement community owned by parent company, The Legacy Senior Communities, Inc. The only Jewish-sponsored life care retirement community in Texas, it is open to people of all faiths. For information, call 972-468-6208 or visit www.thelegacywb.org.

DATA of Plano Sisterhood invites ladies to its first event of the year, a kitchen shower

Mazel tov to DATA of Plano! They are now in their new building for services, and the DATA of Plano Sisterhood is taking this opportunity to have its first event of the year: a kitchen shower on Saturday night, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. Join in and help make the new shul kitchen a happy place. (Ladies only, please.)
There will be a beautiful and unique Fondant cake decorating demo by Tatiana during the event (check out cakesbytatiana.blogspot.com for a preview). DATA of Plano is registered at Walmart, and anyone who brings a kitchen gift will be eligible to win a free Fondant cake by Tatiana, to be redeemed some time after the event.
See the new shul, shmooze with old and new friends and maybe you will win the Fondant cake prize.
For more information, please call 214-929-7884. DATA of Plano’s new facility is located at 3251 Independence Pkwy. (southwest corner Parker and Independence) in Plano.

Learn how to bake challah!

Ladies, come to DATA of Plano on Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and learn how to bake challah with Devorah Zakon. Come one, come all — bring a friend or two. This hands-on, fun and free event is open to all women in the community. Please bring one or two new, inexpensive cooking utensils or bakeware that can be donated to Chai House.
DATA of Plano is located at 3251 Independence Pkwy., at the southwest corner of Parker and Independence.
The event is presented by Younger Set, a campaign division of young married women ages 42 and under within the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. By joining the Council of Younger Set, you can attend events that fit your lifestyle and schedule, help others, meet new friends and feel good about getting involved in your Jewish community.
For more information about this event or Younger Set in general, please contact Robin Stone, robinfstone@hotmail.com.