Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com
SWJC honors 12
This year, Southwest Jewish Congress (SWJC) added a new dimension to the annual recognition of men and women and young achievers at its Texas Sized Event at Eddie Deen’s Ranch.
The Audrey Kaplan Inspiring Women, the Stan Golden Men of Action and the Future young versions of the recipients earned a major surprise when it was announced that each of the organizations they volunteer and assist to help others was going to receive a 50/50 extra gift from the over 400 in attendance.
Each table was outfitted with a special envelope that listed the charitable groups with which the honorees worked. Those attending the dinner were asked to find the person they wanted to show appreciation and to donate to that group in honor of their volunteer.
The honorees and the charities they represented were:
Audrey Kaplan Inspiring Women
- Barbara Friedman: DreamDog Foundation
- Vanita Halliburton: Grant Halliburton Foundation
- Ann Kahn: Jewish Family Service
- Tammy Nguyen Lee: Against The Grain Productions, Inc.
- Judy Rorrie: North Dallas Shared Ministries
Stan Golden Men of Action
- Dr. Terry J. Flowers: St. Philips School & Community Center
- Larry Goldstein: Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas
- Madan Goyal: ACLU Texas Foundation
- Dr. Rodney T. Stapp: Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas
- H. Ron White: J.L. Turner Legal Association Foundation
Future Inspiring Women
- Ariana Luterman: Vogel Alcove, Team Ariana
- Noely Rangel: League of United Latin American Citizens
Future Men of Action
- Biko McMillan: SMU Community Engagement & Leadership Center
- S. Graham Rosen: Boy Scouts of America
SWJC was able to send donations of various sizes ranging from $75 to $950 per gift — all meant by SWJC to add an another layer of thanks for the good work being done selflessly in many areas, given by distinguished people of many backgrounds and disciplines. This gesture is a part of SWJC’s mission to build bridges in the community and educate about issues that affect the whole society.
— Submitted by Susan Myers
A moment of thanks giving
We were touched when Annette Silver sent us a note that her granddaughter wrote about her most important teacher in honor of World Teachers’ Day last month. Tara wrote, “I have been in six schools, have had way too many teachers to count, and have learned something great from each one of them. There is however, one teacher taught me fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, but she also taught me how to tie my shoes, how to use the toilet, how to get dressed, how to travel like a pro, how to have fun everyday, and many other life skills that I still use today.”
Of course, Tara was writing about her mom, Denise Schnitzer. She continues,
“Thank you, Mommy, for teaching me all I know and for always being there for me no matter what. You are the best teacher I’ve ever had and I love you so much.”
Mazal, Mazal
- On Oct. 15, Blake Silverthorn received a 2016 Lone Star Emmy Award for his role as associate producer of the Dallas Cowboys’ Spanish-language sports program series, Somos Cowboys (We Are Cowboys). Lone Star Emmy Awards are given to the most experienced and talented television professionals from Texas’ 19 television markets. The son of Deb and Eric Silverthorn and brother of Emilie and Jonah, Blake is a 2015 graduate of Texas Tech University. He is a producer, EVS-operator, camera operator, editor and audio technician for the Dallas Cowboys with projects including the Cover 4, Deep Blue documentaries, the Dallas Cowboys Legends Show and Cowboys Press Conference Replay programs.
- On Sept. 14, Noam Yosef Lewis was presented his scarf and pin at a Boy Scout Court of Honor as he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, Noam coordinated and executed landscaping for a special needs school, St. Elizabeth School, in Baltimore.
Noam is the son of Marla (Goldstein) and Charles Lewis and brother of Aitan Yakir and Sarit Yael all of Baltimore, Maryland. He is the grandson of Barbara (Josephson) Goldstein and the late Martin “Doc” Goldstein of Dallas.
Barbara, along with aunt and uncle, Mona Goldstein and David Goldstein, were present at the touching ceremony. Additionally, Noam will be honored with a reception at the National Scout Museum later this year.
Sharon Blumberg’s Chooze, a fashion brand that encourages individuality and uniqueness, has opened a pop-up shop at Preston Royal Village East. It showcases new fall/winter styles, in addition to providing locals with an intimate introduction into the line specializing in female fashion. Chooze offers purposefully mismatched clothes, shoes and accessories, instilling in women that imperfection is beautiful. The shop will be open throughout the holidays.