Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

Nate Levine steps down as Israel Bonds Southwest Regional chairman

On Thursday, Jan. 14, beloved, longtime leader and Southwest Regional Chairman Nate Levine stepped down from the position which he has held with pride for more than two decades.
Israel advocate and passionate leader Kenny Goldberg will succeed Nate in this role. Guests celebrated Nate’s dedication and success, along with the tremendous results of the 2015 regional campaign. Rabbi William Gershon of Congregation Shearith Israel paid tribute to both men’s exceptional commitment to Israel, their community and their families. Joining the gathering from New York was Vice President of Sales Stuart Garawitz, who presented Nate with a gift from Israel Bonds. Larry Olschwanger was installed as the new local chair of Israel Bonds. The event, which was held in the beautiful home of Donna and Larry Olschwanger, drew members of the Israel Bonds Local Council, their spouses and family and friends of Nate, Kenny and Larry.
— Submitted by Karen Garfield

Vognar and Becker to dish on Oscars

Film critics Chris Vognar of The Dallas Morning News and Stephen Becker of KERA will be the guests at the Congregation Beth Torah Men’s Club/Sisterhood breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 21.
Vognar and Becker will discuss the upcoming Oscars and all things cinematic at the breakfast, which features the award-winning combination of Men’s Club lox and bagels and Sisterhood desserts, and begins at 9 a.m. Breakfast is $10, $5 for students, and the public is welcome.
Beth Torah is located at 720 W. Lookout Drive in Richardson, near the crossroads of Central Expressway and Bush Turnpike. For more information, call the synagogue at 972-234-1542.
— Submitted by Michael Precker

Temple Shalom holds Intergenerational Day

On Sunday, Jan. 31, Temple Shalom Religious School students and their parents joined together for a fun-filled day of learning. Parents started their day with a delicious breakfast and a discussion with Rabbi Ariel Boxman about God and their personal beliefs. Then it was off to school. Parents and students spent the morning rotating through age-appropriate “learning stations,” all centered on the theme of God. The younger children enjoyed decorating cookies that symbolized the seven days of creation, colored special glasses so they could “see” God in nature and learned about God’s creations while reading stories and singing songs. Older students and their parents spent the morning at the “God Mall,” where they explored different concepts relating to God and “purchased” God statements that resonated with them. “Our Intergenerational Day of Learning was a big success! Not only did we tackle a difficult concept and really explored our personal beliefs in God, we got the chance to work together and learn intergenerationally. It was a day we will never forget,” said Rabbi Boxman.
­— Submitted by Lisa Rothberg

Newest members of American Hebrew Academy Honor Society

Two Levine Academy eighth-graders, Daniel Kaplan, son of Dr. Seth and Kathryn Kaplan, and Eden Schachter, daughter of Amy and Steve Schachter, have been accepted into the esteemed American Hebrew Academy Honor Society.
The Academy, an international Jewish college prep boarding school, recently extended invitations to a select number of students worldwide for admittance into its exclusive organization. Now in its seventh year, the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society is an international honor society that acknowledges exceptional eighth- and ninth-grade students, like Daniel and Eden, who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, leadership and service to their communities.
The Honor Society is modeled after the National Honor Society, receiving recommendations, applicant questionnaires and transcripts in an effort to identify the most outstanding young Jewish students in the U.S. and beyond.
Daniel and Eden will each receive an impressive award certificate designed by world-renowned artist, Mordecai Rosenstein. Along with the other Honor Society inductees, Daniel and Eden have the opportunity to compete for substantial annual merit-based scholarships to attend the American Hebrew Academy.

Students nominated and accepted into the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society are not required to attend the Academy. “To be named a member of the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society is a great achievement,” says Mark Spielman, director of the Honor Society. “We look forward to meeting each of the honorees and following their successes as they make great contributions to our world.” Academy Executive Director Glenn Drew added, “The Academy is an exceptional institution with an outstanding faculty and student body. Identifying stellar students follows our mission of mentoring the Jewish leaders of tomorrow.”
— Submitted by  Shelley Frankl

Save the Date: March 26

Debbie Shusterman Katz will be honored at Sisterhood Torah Fund Shabbat services Saturday, March 26, at Congregation Anshai Torah, 5501 W. Parker Road, Plano. Services begin at 9:30 a.m. This year’s Torah Fund theme is “She plants a vineyard.”
The Torah Fund Campaign ensures the future of Conservative Judaism by supporting the Jewish Theological Seminary, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies by providing rabbis who offer wisdom and education, hazzanim who enhance the beauty of our prayers, educators who transmit the richness of our heritage, and community professionals and lay leaders who serve the community.
— Submitted by Diane Kufert