Federation will mark centennial at Imagine gala
The fabric of Dallas’ community is woven of many wonderful threads, and one of the most vibrant is the entrepreneurial spirit and vision of the city’s Jewish citizens. For 100 years, the Jewish Federation has supported the Dallas community through a wide variety of agencies which preserve and enhance Jewish and non-Jewish life locally, nationally and globally. At the same time, our city’s Jewish community has contributed countless visionaries who have helped to make Dallas world-renowned. The Federation proudly honors 100 years of its service and achievements at Imagine, the Centennial Gala, Saturday evening, Feb. 12. Centennial sponsorships, which have already exceeded the original goal of $1.2 million, are devoted to a yearlong series of programs and events beginning with a celebratory gala and culminating with a community-wide event in November.
The impressive list of generous corporate and family sponsors includes many of our city’s most noted philanthropists, many of whom are descendents of the first Jewish families to settle in Texas over 150 years ago. In fact, the Centennial’s title sponsor, Commercial Metals Company, was co-founded by the late Jacob Feldman, one of Dallas’ first major Jewish philanthropists, for whom the Federation’s building is named. Commercial Metals Company donated $100,000 as the title corporate sponsor.
Other corporate sponsors, as of press time, are as follows: $50,000: Alon USA, Bank of America Merrill Lynch/Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/U.S. Trust, and Neiman Marcus; $25,000 to $30,000: American Airlines Group and Meeting Travel, Crow Holdings, The Glazer Family of Glazer Distributors, Kahn Mechanical Contractors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas and Plano, the Texas Jewish Post, and Waldman Bros.; $10,000 to $20,000: AT&T, Dallas Morning News, Deloitte, Dittmar Design, Inc., Ernst & Young LLP, Friedman & Fieger, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, Kahn Mechanical Contractors, KPMG LLP, Lidji Dorey & Hooper, Park Place Dealerships, Prescott Pailet Benefits, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, Ryan and Company, Texas Capital Bank, The Weitzman Group & Cencor Realty Services, Wells Fargo, William Noble Rare Jewels. Family sponsors are as follows: $25,000: Carol and Steve Aaron, Janet and Jeff Beck, Cynthia and Robert L. Feldman, Elaine and Trevor Pearlman, Barbara and Stan Rabin, Karen and David Weinreb; $10,000 to $18,000: Anonymous, Candy and Ike Brown, Joe and Byrna Funk Philanthropic Fund, Lisa and David Genecov, Debbie and Eric Green, Candace and Robert B. Haas Family Philanthropic Fund, Ynette and Jim Hogue, Karen and Alan Katz, Stacey and Donald Kivowitz/Cathy and Craig Glick, Ann and Nate Levine, Mankoff Family Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, Jill and Jeffrey Rasansky Philanthropic Fund, Beverly and Cary Rossel, Leslie and Howard Schultz Family Foundation, Barbara and Sheldon Stein Philanthropic Fund, Sandra and David Veeder, Abe Zale Foundation.
Carol Aaron, who is chairing the gala, is also a past chairman of the Federation board of directors. “Chairing this celebration, for me, has been simply a labor of love,” she remarked. “To share the celebration of a century of Jewish life in Dallas with the entire community, and in such a magnificent way, is truly an honor and a privilege.” The gala is expected to draw a sell-out crowd of 1,200 people. This once-in-a-lifetime event will include the premiere of a professionally produced documentary film about the history of the Federation and a touring, museum-quality historical exhibit portraying the significant role of the Jewish community in the development and advancement of the city of Dallas. For more information, please visit www.jewishdallas.org.
Grief support group begins meetings Feb. 2
A grief support group being sponsored by Jewish Family Service will be held at Congregation Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Ave., Dallas. The group will meet on consecutive Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 pm, Feb. 2 through March 9. These sessions will be facilitated by JFS counselor, Deborah Leibensberger, ACSW, LCSW. They are open to the Jewish community, but participants need to register in advance by contacting Deborah Leibensberger at Jewish Family Service, 972-437-9950.
On Feb. 4, wear red at the J
Friday, Feb. 4, is Wear Red Day at the J. Try out a class.
From 9 to 10 a.m. in the Mind/Body Studio, there will be a session on Pilates Barre Blend. This ballet-inspired hybrid class blends Pilates mat, modern dance conditioning exercises and core work, resulting in a total body reshaping experience to burn fat and develop lean and long muscles.
Free on that day only, Preschool Open Gym from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Play in the gym with your child. Your child can practice gymnastics skills, roll, climb and tumble! Walk-ins and playgroups welcome; ages 6 and under, in the Gymnastics Room.
At 10 a.m. in the Board Room, nutritionist Dana Roseman, MPH, RD/LD, will speak on “Eating for a Healthy Heart,” a practical guide for keeping your heart healthy with good nutrition. Learn what to include on your plate to maximize your cardiovascular health and to achieve your health goals in 2011.
Two sessions of cardio tennis will be available at the Joe and Byrna Funk Good Time Tennis Courts at the Ron Zahler Tennis Center: 11–11:30 a.m. and 11:30–noon. Each will be a 30-minute free clinic. If you want the opportunity to get a great workout by hitting some tennis balls, sharpen your tennis skills and have a fun and extreme cardio workout.
From noon to 1 p.m., there will be circuit training with personal trainers in the Fitness Center. The J will be turning up the music and setting up stations for a one-hour nonstop workout. Trainers will be on hand to lead participants through a variety of exercise stations.
From 1 to 1:30 is an Adult Cardio-Fit Gymnastics Class, a fun and unique alternative to your regular exercise routine. This class provides a challenging workout to adults by utilizing the gymnastics equipment to provide a full-body workout. It will focus on four areas: flexibility, strengthening, cardio and very basic gymnastics. No prior gymnastics experience is needed. Come experience the fun your kids have in the gym! Limit of eight participants. Guarantee a spot by e-mailing apostel@jccdallas.org to reserve in advance.
Not a member? Contact Carrie Ann Ring for a free guest pass for the day; call 214-239-7138 or e-mail caring@jccdallas.org (valid ID required).
The Aaron Family JCC is located at 7900 Northaven Road in Dallas.
Two special events at Nishmat Am on Shabbat, Feb. 5
Congregation Nishmat Am introduces “Teen Topics,” a new program for ages 12 through 15-plus. One Shabbat morning a month, Nishmat Am will have a teen service from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The service will be a combination of tefillah (prayer) and discussion on a current topic. The program will debut on Feb. 5, Parashat Terumah, with the discussion topic, “Is Technology Handicapping or Improving Your Social Skills?” For this inaugural session, all teens who join the service are also invited to be Nishmat Am’s guests at “The Rabbi’s Tish.” For more information, please contact Stanley Siegel at the synagogue office, 972-618-2200.
“The Rabbi’s Tish” (“at the rabbi’s table”) consists of a post-Kiddush deli lunch, study, spirited singing and oneg Shabbat — the delight of the Shabbat. Study text will be Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of the Fathers. Cost, by prepaid reservation with payment, is $15 per person (children ages 3–10, $7.50; children under age 3, free). Children’s supervision is available with reservation. To reserve your place and make your payment, please e-mail info@nishmatam.org or call 972-618-2200.
Congregation Nishmat Am is located at 2113 W. Spring Creek Pkwy. in Plano.
DCT brings back teen plays
Noted adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Susan Sugerman shared that the Dallas Children’s Theatre (DCT) is bringing back four fantastic plays about crucial teen issues — bullying, eating disorders and body image, teen relationships, and learning differences/ADHD. Balancing wisdom, optimism, and just the right amount of comedy, the plays will leave you feeling not just enlightened but prepared to respond if you know someone dealing with these issues. They cause kids to approach their parents and teachers for help, saying things like, “Mom, it’s just like that show you made me see. The exact same thing is happening to my friend. I need your help.”
The Baker Idea Institute offers several opportunities to learn and discuss the related topics with medical, mental-health and theater professionals. These programs are intended for both teens and adults interested in more in-depth conversation and education on these issues.
Performance dates and times are as follows:
“hard 2 spel dad”: Friday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 5, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 6, 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 19, 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 20, 4:30 p.m.
“dont u luv me?”: Saturday, Feb. 5, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 6, 1:30 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 12, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 13, 4:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 19, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m.
“EAT (It’s Not About Food)”: Friday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.
“The Secret Life of Girls”: Saturday, Feb. 12, 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Baker Idea Institute dates and times are as follows:
“Road to Resilience” Clinical Path: Session I: Friday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.; Session II: Saturday, Feb. 12, 9:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.; Session III: Saturday, Feb. 12, 1–9 p.m.
“Road to Resilience” Creative Path: Session I: Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.; Session II: Saturday, Feb. 19, 9:30 a.m. –12:45 p.m.; Session III: Saturday, Feb. 19, 1–9 p.m.
Prices: Full Festival Pass (entrance to all events), $75; Festival Performance Pass (entrance to all performances), $45; “hard 2 spel dad” and “dont u luv me?” $12–$23; “EAT (It’s Not About Food)” and “The Secret Life of Girls,” $10; BII Road to Resilience Symposium, $75 per weekend/$25 per session.
For more information, please contact Nancy Schaeffer at DCT or the DCT box office, 214-740-0051, www.dct.org; or the Baker Idea Institute, 214-978-0110, www.bakeridea.org.