Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

Backing the Blue

The Dallas Jewish community continues to take a leadership role in supporting the Dallas Police Department in the wake of the tragic July 7 shooting and loss of four Dallas police officers and one DART officer.
Here are just a few examples:
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas is accepting donations for the Assist Officer Foundation. One hundred percent of all donations will be passed directly on to the fund. To donate, visit http://bit.ly/2adIeI3.
Members of the Temple Shalom Adult Choir participated in the Dallas Sings/Dallas Strong free concert held at the Meyerson Thursday, July 14, along with 600 or so singers from other choirs around town, including the Dallas Street Choir. The concert honored and mourned the deaths of the five Dallas and DART officers who were murdered the week before. The Dallas Sings/Dallas Strong event was created and led by Jonathan Palant, Temple Shalom’s choir director. Temple Shalom’s Rabbi Andrew Paley also spoke at the event.
On July 15, Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood (aka Women of Reform Judaism) served lunch for 40 officers at the North Central Dallas Station at Hillcrest and McCallum following the noon funeral of officer Michael Smith. With 12 hours’ notice, 10 women pitched in to serve brisket sandwiches, slaw, potato salad, fruit, dessert and soft drinks.
On July 20, Congregations Ohr HaTorah, Ohev Shalom, Sephardic Torah Center of Dallas, Shaare Tefilla, and Toras Chaim along with Dallas Kosher, DATA, DATA of Plano, and Simcha Kosher Catering served an Italian kosher dinner to raise funds for police officers. Corporate sponsors included Fresh Point Dallas, Gourmet Foods International, Jones Neitzel, Tom Thumb, and US Foods.
On July 22, Congregation Shearith Israel will deliver a traditional Shabbat meal for 100-plus officers at the North Central Dallas Station at McCallum and Hillcrest. Within 30 minutes of the call to action to “Feed the Blue,” every slot was filled.
Organizer Kimberly Ross says, “Please join us at 3 p.m. Friday, July 22 at the North Central Police Station at McCallum and Hillcrest, when we deliver Shabbat dinner to more than 100 of our friends in blue as an expression of our sorrow for their recent loss and our gratitude for their bravery, service and friendship. We mean it when we say Shabbat SHALOM. Please join us in honoring our local peace officers.”

Mitch Goldminz raises funds to combat childhood cancer

On Aug. 14, 2015, the lives of the Goldminz family were changed forever.
Minna and Mitch Goldminz’s 8½-year-old grandson, Zachary (son of Pam and Jonathan Goldminz, and brother of Hailey) complained of pain in his right knee, after a counselor at camp fell on it.
Zachary was seen by an orthopedist, who placed him in a knee brace. Young Zachary continued to complain of the pain, which became worse. His parents took him to the ER and the family’s life was changed significantly when the ER physician stated that it was either an infection or cancer. Things began moving very quickly for the Goldminz family as they received the news no one ever wants to hear — Zachary, a student at Levine Academy, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma.
It is a children’s cancer and he had a tumor behind his right knee. Since August, Zachary has completed nine months of chemotherapy. Additionally, he underwent limb-sparing surgery with the surgical replacement of a Stanmore knee implant. It was performed at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston by Dr. Rex Marco and his amazing team of professionals.
Besides the tremendous support from family and friends, the family was so lucky to meet Carol and David Basso, who founded the 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation in memory of their daughter, Anna, who lost her battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma at age 16. The Bassos have made it their mission to raise funds specifically dedicated to Ewing’s Sarcoma research.
Zachary’s paternal grandfather, “Pop” Mitch Goldminz, is a talented artist and published author. He is well-known for his featured heart paintings and contemporary art highlighting cats, New York City buildings and much more, using primarily acrylics on glass. His art hangs in homes and offices across the U.S. and he has held art shows in New York, Las Vegas, Florida and Mexico.
His art has received wide acclaim. He has written two books, which will be on display. Over 12,000 copies were sold and Mitch donates his books to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and veterans centers of North Texas-VA Hospitals.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 23, Mitch’s work will be for sale at B & B Consignment, 2885 Promenade, the northeast corner of Coit and Arapaho roads in Richardson. Twenty-five percent of all sales of Mitch G. paintings will go to the 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation for research of Ewing’s Sarcoma Children’s Cancer. In addition, everyone will receive a patriotic antenna ball free for coming. Mitch will be on hand to sign books. There will be raffle tickets sold for a 14” x 11” 2005 signed, unframed piece of art. Mitch has more than 300 pieces of art to choose from.

DJHS celebrates 45 years, inducts new officers and board at annual meeting

The Dallas Jewish Historical Society, celebrating 45 years this year, recently inducted its new officers and board for the 2016-2017 fiscal year at its annual meeting, held June 9. New executive board members include Stuart Rosenfield, president; Scott Cytron, first vice president; Deborah Konigsberg, second vice president; Jo Reingold, secretary; Liz Liener, parliamentarian; and Jim Schwartz, treasurer and immediate past president. New board members include Mike Weinberg, Matt Davis, Marla Janco, Laurie Betesh, and Shani Romick. Returning board members include Neil Goldberg, Pauline Graivier, Marilyn Pailet, Cliff Friedman, May Sebel, Marc Andres, Michael Cohen, David Golman, Brett Lazarus, Lori Ordiway, Matt Prescott, and Ellen Ungerman.
The annual meeting program included Dr. Bryan Edward Stone, professor of history at Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, who discussed his most recent publication, Memories of Two Generations: A Yiddish Life in Russia and Texas. Memories of Two Generations is the autobiography of Alexander Gurwitz — an Orthodox Jew, kosher butcher, Hebrew teacher, and Talmudist — who immigrated to San Antonio in 1910 at the age of 51, with his wife and four children. Gurwitz came to Texas with the Galveston Immigration Movement.