By Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharonw@texasjewishpost.com

I was privileged to attend Mona Golabek’s performance June 10 at the Wylie Theatre. Golabek’s one-woman show recounted the story of her mother’s escape from Vienna on the famed Kindertransport intertwining classical music, pictures and Golabek’s own theatrical narration. An adaptation of Golabek’s 2003 book, the performance was unlike anything I’d ever experienced when learning about the Holocaust.
The integration of the mediums through which Golabek told her mother’s story was unnerving and riveting at the same time. In truth, it’s difficult to put into words the performance’s impact. Golabek, a Grammy winner, is the third in a string of classical pianists, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother.
It was her mother’s musical gift that helped her survive being separated from her family when she was transported to England on the Kindertransport.
Among those in the audience were Holocaust survivors including Dallasite brother and sister Maggie Furst and Bert Romberg, who were also rescued on the Kindertransport. The event was a program of the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance.

Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas provides $75K to local Jewish organizations

The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas has made its 2015 Outreach & Engagement Grants, $77,85
0 to 11 local Jewish organizations and congregations. As was announced in early March, the board of the Federation created the Outreach & Engagement Grants, up to $10,000 per organization, to promote outreach and engagement to unaffiliated and marginally affiliated Jews living in Dallas.
“It was very exciting for the lay leadership of the Federation to be involved in providing grants to our broader community. We hope that the result of the grant process will be a stronger partnership with the organizations and provide multiple ways for newcomers to join the Dallas Jewish community,” said Pam Hochster Fine, chair, Community Outreach Task Force.
The grants were provided to: Congregation Anshai Torah, Congregation Beth El Binah, Congregation Beth Torah, Chabad of Dallas, DATA, Intown Chabad, Jewish Education Texas (JET), Jewish Youth Directors’ Council of Dallas, Temple Emanu-El, Tiferet Israel Congregation and Congregation Shearith Israel.
Bradley Laye, Federation president and CEO, stated, “The Federation’s Outreach & Engagement Grants are historic as we act out our stated belief that ‘We Are Stronger Together.’
“By providing funding to congregations and organizations to focus on growing and building our community, the Federation is literally putting our money where our mouth is to try and ensure every Jew in the Dallas area has an opportunity to connect to his/her Jewish identity. Combined with our funding to our current partner agencies, local and overseas, we touch more Jewish lives than any organization in the world.”

Ohev Shalom goes to Israel

Rabbi Aryeh Rodin of Congregation Ohev Shalom will lead a mission trip to Israel Nov. 2 through Nov. 11. The rabbi, along with the well-known, knowledgeable and entertaining American-born Israeli-certified tour guide, Dovid Solomon, will lead the group to historic and inspiring sites in Jerusalem, Sefat, Tel Aviv, the Galilee, the Golan Heights and Masada. The group will visit a tallis factory, a chocolate factory and a winery and — for a change of pace — take a camel ride. A visit to an army base is planned with an opportunity to speak with some of the defenders of Israel’s security. A highlight of the trip will be a Shabbaton and a melavah malka joined by Dallasites who made aliyah.
The group will stay for the first six nights at the beautiful Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem and the remaining nights at the picturesque Kibbutz Lavi.
“I am excited to visit Israel and share my wonderful experiences that I had as a Torah student and rabbi in Israel. I look forward to what is shaping up to be a memorable trip for all,” said Rabbi Rodin.
For more information, please contact Rabbi Rodin at rabbirodin@ohev.com or 972-380-1292.

JBA to welcome Marcia Blake

Join Marcia Blake of Sunbrella outdoor fabrics at the next Jewish Business Alliance networking meeting Thursday, June 25. Marcia will present the latest trends and design tips on fabrics, colors, and everything you ever wanted to know about outdoor décor. Marcia will be joined by Brad Schweig of Sunnyland Patio Furniture. JBA meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Coffee House Café at Preston and Frankford in Dallas on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month.
Marcia is a nationally recognized authority on outdoor décor. She has served as a consultant to Glen Raven; now she is merchandise manager for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, Sunbrella. Blake designed Outdoor Couture, soft goods accessory line, resin wicker furniture collections for Sunset West Fine Outdoor Furnishings and Tuscan-styled outdoor dishware for Merritt International.
Throughout her years in the casual furniture and accessories market she’s been instrumental in selecting and creating color palettes for manufacturers, dealers and consumers. Most recently, she served on the International Summit Planning Committee for Color Lust in Miami.
On a personal level, Marcia is involved with her synagogue and Jewish life in her hometown of San Diego.
For more information, please contact Mark Lowey at mark@stonebridgeinsurancegroup.com.