Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com
On Oct. 24, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and AJC Dallas co-hosted a Community Town Hall program to welcome the new Israeli consul general to the Southwest, Gilad Katz. Consul General Katz was appointed as Head of Post in August 2017 to lead the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States, which is responsible for the six-state region of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
(From left) Reverend Dr. Janet DeVries, Rabbi Seymour Rossel, Bishop Erik Gronberg, Israeli Consul General Gilad Katz, Bishop Edward Burns, and Jewish Federation CEO Bradley Laye
JCRC Chair Melanie Rubin welcomed guests and AJC-Dallas President-elect Adam Lampert acknowledged the dignitaries in the room. Among them were Consul General of Mexico Francisco de la Torre; Honorary Consul (ret.) of Sweden Garry Johnson; Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic Martin Valko; and Acting Consul General of Canada Vasken Khabayan.
JFGD Board Chair Mark Kreditor introduced Katz. Before assuming the post of consul general to the Southwest United States, he held the title of advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kreditor also noted that “The consul general has been said to love coming to Dallas. He has already been here a few times since the recent start of his position, and we are glad to have him here again.”
Katz spoke to community members about current trends and the importance of relations between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry. He then answered questions from the audience.
Later that morning the JCRC organized a meeting between Katz and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Dallas (RAGD) for a dialogue and discussion on issues important to the RAGD.
Following this meeting, the Jewish Community Relations Council, whose organizational priorities include interfaith relationship-building, hosted an interfaith lunch between the consul general, rabbis, non-Jewish clergy, and Jewish and non-Jewish leaders. Katz led an open and informal conversation about the desire to better understand faith-based relationships between the Jewish and non-Jewish communities, as well as non-Jewish communities’ relationships with the State of Israel. Along with many local rabbis, the interfaith lunch was attended by Bishop Edward Burns of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas; Bishop Erik Gronberg of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELVA), Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Mission Area; Reverend Dr. Janet DeVries, General Presbyter; and Lynn Rossol, the Bishop’s Delegate for Legislative Advocacy and Ecumenism.
— Submitted by Jamie Moore
Annual Senior Expo is Tuesday, Nov. 7
The J’s annual Senior Expo returns from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road in Dallas. Presented by Golden Outlook, the Senior Expo is a free resource fair for seniors and those with senior family members. This year’s theme is “Super Self.” Attendees can explore a wide range of local services available to older individuals or stop by a “Hospitality Suite” including the Popcorn Snack Suite presented by Bath Expo & Window Expo, Lemonade Stand presented by USMD Health System, and the Picture This Green Screen Photo Booth hosted by Harbor Chase Assisted Living Center. Free bag lunches will be provided to the first 100 attendees courtesy of Oasis Senior Advisors. Entertainment will be provided by Marty Ruiz. Senior Expo attendees will also be treated to nutrition education, health screenings, flu and pneumonia vaccines, insurance assistance, brain exercises to boost memory, giveaways and more. New this year, guests can try free fitness classes including tai chi, chair Pilates, N.I.A. (Neuromuscular Integrative Action), Silver Sneakers BOOM or line dancing.
This is the perfect opportunity to see firsthand all the services available in North Texas for active seniors. All Expo attendees will also receive a free seven-day pass to try out The J.
— Submitted by Jef Tingley
Two more installments of Weinfeld’s JFK series
Ever-creative Bob Weinfeld has put together three powerful JFK programs at The Legacy Willow Bend. The first installment was held earlier this week.
At 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Weinfeld will interview Michael Granberry, feature writer for the Dallas Morning News.
Granberry has penned many articles on JFK and is considered an expert on the Kennedy assassination.
At 3:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, Weinfeld will interview Abraham Zapruder’s daughter Myrna Ries. With his 8mm camera in hand, Zapruder set out to capture JFK’s historic motorcade through downtown Dallas. He filmed the entire 26 seconds of the assassination. Ries will answer questions about her father, where she was on that day, how her father’s film has affected her family and many other questions.
Both programs are free and open to the community.