By Linda Wisch Davidsohn

JFS Dallas 2015 Community Conference March 22-23

Jewish Family Service  (JFS) and the UNT Health Sciences Program will present “When the War Comes Home: Trauma and the Military Family,” a community presentation and professional conference featuring Dr. Harold Kudler, chief consultant for mental health in the VA Central Office, Washington, D.C. Other speakers are Julia Wharton, executive director of Hope for the Home Front; Dr. Abel Tomatis, licensed specialist in school psychology and supervisor for Dallas ISD; Charlene Stark, founder and president for Hope for the Brave; and Dr. Ken Graves, clinical child psychologist with Brooke Army Medical Center.
As the military downsizes, over 26,000 veterans are expected to settle in North Texas over the next three to five years. Re-entry into civilian life can be full of challenges. Many veterans find themselves unemployed and even homeless. Trauma experienced during their service, and even preceding their enlistment, underlies mental health needs, family violence incidents and even thoughts of suicide.
JFS is collaborating to meet the needs of these veterans and their families. This event is open to the entire community including leaders, mental health professionals, non-veterans, veterans and their families. Professional speakers and panelists will address the challenges that veterans and their families may face upon returning from the military — challenges such as traumatic stress, depression, substance abuse, family violence and other difficulties adjusting to everyday life.
The Dr. Sol Lurie Community Presentation, “It’s Our Time to Serve the Military Families,” will kick off the two-day conference beginning Sunday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas.
This evening presentation, which is open to the entire community, will focus on the difficulty many veterans and their families face as they readjust to everyday life and the steps that our community, education and mental health professionals can take to aid in their transition.
The 18th annual Janis Ablon Professional Conference will continue Monday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Congregation Shearith Israel. Conference objectives include identifying clinical guidelines for assessing and treating military- related mental health issues; learning to understand the impact of sexual trauma in the military; describing best practice treatments and resources for increasing awareness and competence; and specifying steps that every citizen can take in building a community of care.
Continuing education credits will be available for physicians, nurses, social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychologists and licensed marriage and family therapists.

Temple Emanu-El Couples Club has new officers

Congratulations to Temple Emanu-El Couples Club’s new officers. The 2015-2016 slate was presented at the group’s most recent luncheon meeting at the Prestonwood Country Club.
Nelda Golden, founder of the club in 1989, conducted the program and installed the new officers, who are as follows: presidents, Edie and Paul Singer; vice presidents, Shirley and Maurice Nurenberg and Roberta and Donald Spector; vice presidents (social), Renee and Buddy Gilbert with their assistant committee, vice presidents (membership) Roslyn and Richard Polakoff and Phyllis and Paul Rifkin; secretaries, Lois and Alan Kohn; and treasurers, Sandra and Dan Gorman.

Appointed chairpersons were also acknowledged. They are: parliamentarians, Carole and Barry Cohen; historians, Susan and Morris Hasson; sunshine, Joyce and Jerry Zellman; publicity, Renee and Buddy Gilbert; and communications, Elaine and Bernie Weil.
The Temple Emanu-El Couples Club, founded 26 years ago, is a social club open to Temple members as well as other Jewish couples in the community. One member of the couple should be 55 years of age or older. For more information or to join, call Roslyn and Richard Polakoff at 972-701-8721, or Phyllis and Paul Rifkin at 972-380-2594.

RoughRiders Broadcaster Alex Vispoli speaking at Beth Torah

Alex Vispoli, the voice of the Frisco RoughRiders and the team’s manager of broadcasting and media development, will be the guest speaker at Congregation Beth Torah Men’s Club Sunday morning breakfast March 22.
Vispoli, who handles radio and TV broadcasts for the team, will discuss the upcoming baseball season, focusing on the Texas Rangers and the RoughRiders, the Rangers’ AA minor league team. The Rangers’ opening game is April 6 and the RoughRiders start the season April 9.
The public is invited to the monthly lox-and-bagel breakfast, which begins at 9 a.m. and costs $10, $5 for students. Beth Torah is located at 720 W. Lookout Drive in Richardson, near the crossroads of Bush Turnpike and Central Expressway.
For more information, call the synagogue at 972-234-1542.