Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

Bnai Zion Texas starts 5777 with big news

Bnai Zion had a series of exciting events unfold in the past week. On Sunday, Oct. 9, DFW New Beginning’s Church, the congregation of Pastors Tiz and Larry Huch, presented a check to Bnai Zion Foundation for its Israel medical center for $250,000. The donation was a highlight of the church’s Celebration of Israel featuring Pat Boone.
Earlier in the week, Bnai Zion officials learned that Pastor John Hagee would keynote its annual gala next month. Pastor Hagee is the founder and senior pastor of the 22,000 member Cornerstone Church in San Antonio as well as the  founder and chairman of the 3 million member Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization.
The annual gala will be held 6 p.m. Sunday Nov. 13, 2016 at The Westin Galleria Dallas. Award recipients are honored for their support of Israel and its right to exist and play key parts in our local community.  They serve as an inspiration to others.
The 2016 honorees are:

• Laura and the Honorable Tom Leppert who will receive the Community Service Award.
• Brenda and Dr. Peter Marcus who will receive the Distinguished Humanitarian Award.
• Ann Stacy will receive the America-Israel Friendship Award.

Pastor Hagee has built a ministry on straightforward Bible teaching and preaching, as well as unwavering support for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. In addition to founding the global media ministry, Hagee is the author of 39 major books, seven of which were New York Times best-sellers.
Hagee has met personally with every Israeli prime minister since Menachem Begin. Most recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present to celebrate Hagee’s 50 years of ministry celebration and lit up the Tower of David Wall with special words honoring Hagee’s service to Israel.
Hagee is the founder of  “A Night to Honor Israel” which is celebrated annually at Cornerstone Church over national and international television. “A Night to Honor Israel” is a non-conversionary tribute to the nation of Israel and the Jewish people of the world. Its purpose is to promote esteem and understanding between Christians and Jews and to emphasize that the beliefs we hold in common are far greater than the differences we have allowed to separate us. “A Night to Honor Israel” has been replicated at hundreds of churches around the country and in Europe and Africa.
Dr. Tim and Virginia Shepherd, CUFI members and Bnai Zion board members were instrumental in securing Pastor Hagee as the featured speaker. They recently participated on the CUFI trip to Israel. Virginia Shepherd said, “We are honored to have Pastor Hagee come and share with us his heart for Israel. As one who has spent his life building bridges between the Christian and Jewish communities, we know that this will be a special evening to come together and support the vital work of Bnai Zion Medical Center and Ahava Village.”
Hagee has been presented with the ZOA Israel Award and the B’nai B’rith Council’s Humanitarian of the Year Award for his unwavering support of Israel.
Hagee’s ministry has given $92 million to bring the Jewish exiles of the world home to Israel, support health, education and general welfare as well. The ministry has provided comfort and consolation to the Jewish people through the building of orphanage facilities, absorption centers and hospitals.
In February 2006, Pastor John Hagee, founded and became National Chairman of Christians United for Israel, to create a national grass roots movement focused on the support of Israel. Over 400 Christian leaders each representing a denomination, mega-church, media ministry, publishing company or Christian university joined.
You can purchase tickets for $200/person or $2,000/table of 10 by contacting Bnai Zion Executive Director, Avrille Harris at avrille.harris-cohen@bnaizion.org or 972 918 9200.

Legacy at Home, Legacy Willow Bend commemorate Rosh Hashanah

Residents, their families and staff members at The Legacy Willow Bend life care community in Plano recently gathered together in observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
In addition, The Legacy at Home delivered traditional honey cakes to all of its clients to wish them a sweet new year. The Legacy Senior Communities is the not-for-profit parent company of both organizations. While this is a time of celebration, the purpose is to begin reflecting on the previous year and pray for self-improvement in the new year ahead. This holiday occurs on the first and second days of Tishri as the period of introspection, which continues for the 10 days commonly known as the Days of Awe.
“Rosh Hashanah is an opportunity to spend time together with family and friends celebrating the start of a new year,” said Michael Ellentuck, president and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities. “There is an immense sense of joy when I see the residents and their families come together at The Legacy Willow Bend. This year, as we also commemorated the holiday with families served by The Legacy at Home. By sharing this experience with one another, we lay the foundation for a sweet new year.”
The Legacy Willow Bend hosted an Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner and service for residents and their family members led by Bruce Feldman, who led services for independent living, and Eli Davidsohn, who led services for assisted living and memory care residents and their loved ones. Residents and guests enjoyed apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet year ahead. The following morning, residents participated in Tashlich services, which included the sounding of shofar – the ram’s horn – as the call to repentance. Participants tossed breadcrumbs into the outdoor water fountain, symbolizing a release from their sins of the past.
As part of celebrating the holiday, volunteers helped The Legacy at Home deliver sweetness to its clients. Volunteers assembled honey cake baskets and then delivered them to clients right in their own homes. For The Legacy at Home volunteer Marilyn Schwartz, being able to share the spirit of the new year with those who are unable to go out and celebrate the High Holidays was incredibly meaningful.
“It was very satisfying to bring joy to others during this special time of year,” said Schwartz. “We were able to show people who are recovering from surgery, going through rehabilitation or dealing with another health condition that they have not been forgotten by the Jewish community.
“I hope that by delivering the honey cakes, we provided them with a connection to our community and a way to enjoy the holidays.”