Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
Jesse Stock to speak about Israel advocacy at Beth Torah
Jesse Stock, associate director of the Texas office of Stand With Us, will be the guest speaker at the Congregation Beth Torah Men’s Club monthly lox-and-bagel breakfast on Sunday, March 18.
Stand With Us educates about and advocates for Israel, sponsoring events, rallies, speakers and various campaigns to promote Israel and combat anti-Semitism in high schools, college campuses and the broader community. He will speak about “Crossing the Line: Anti-Semitism vs. Legitimate Criticism of Israel.”
The breakfast starts at 9 a.m. at the synagogue, located at 720 W. Lookout Drive in Richardson, near the crossroads of Bush Turnpike and Central Expressway. The cost is $10 ($5 for students) and the public is welcome. For more information, call the synagogue at 972-234-1542.
Aidan Jacoby named to BBYO International board
Aidan Jacoby, son of Karla and Dr. Eric Jacoby of Plano, was elected Grand Aleph S’gan, or international vice president of programming, for Aleph Zadik Aleph(AZA). Aidan is a graduate of Levine Academy and is a junior at Parish Episcopal School. He is a member of Rubin Kaplan AZA, where he has served in several executive board positions including chapter president. Aidan is currently serving on the board of the North Texas Oklahoma Region of BBYO.
“BBYO has given me a platform to share my voice with the world at large,” said Aidan. “In my newly elected position, I am beyond excited to capitalize on the power of our movement to stand up for what I believe in and create a lasting impact in the Jewish world through programming!”
Hurst named DBA president
Michael K. Hurst, top litigation attorney and named partner at Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst LLP, was inaugurated as president of the Dallas Bar Association Jan. 20.
Hurst was elected chair of the board of directors in 2014. He has served as chair of numerous DBA Committees and Sections, including the Bylaws, Judicial Investiture, and Peer Assistance Committees and the Trial Skills Section. In addition, he was co-chair of the 2013-2014 Equal Access to Justice Campaign, for which he raised a record amount of money for low-income families and individuals. The Campaign funds the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program to provide free legal assistance to over 4,000 low-income families with civil legal needs each year.
He is a Life Fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation, and a Founding Life Fellow of the DAYL Foundation.
Hurst received his J.D. from the South Texas College of Law in 1990. In addition to his bar service, Mr. Hurst has served on the board of directors for the Houston College of Law, is a Master in the William ‘Mac’ Taylor Inn of Court, is a member of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas, and in the Business Tort Section of the American Bar Association. He was the first male recipient of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association’s Louise B. Raggio Award in 2015, and has been included in The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in Dallas, and Texas Super Lawyer for many years. In 2014, he received the Outstanding Mentor Award from both the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and the Texas Young Lawyers Association.
Other officers serving on the board are as follows: president-elect, Laura Benitez Geisler, of the Geisler Law Firm; first vice president, Robert Tobey, of Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C.; second vice president, Aaron Tobin, of Condon Tobin Sladek Thornton PLLC; secretary/treasurer, Vicki Blanton, of AT&T; and immediate past president, Rob Crain, of Crain Lewis Brogdon.
Bliss speaks at SXSW
Brennen Bliss was a featured speaker at the LaunchX Clubs Austin Demo Day on Saturday, March 10, during the South by Southwest conference and festival in Austin. Brennen was selected to speak to other teen entrepreneurs involved in the LaunchX Clubs Southern Regional Demo Day, after growing his marketing agency into a multimillion-dollar company by the age of 18. PixelCutLabs is also recognized by UpCity as one of the top 10 marketing agencies in the United States.
“Having started as a teen entrepreneur, I know how challenging, and exciting, the road ahead is for other teen entrepreneurs. I’m honored to be involved with an organization like LaunchX that prepares high school entrepreneurs to achieve their goals,” Bliss said. “And to kick off the event in Austin, during SXSW, spurs an energy of innovation and entrepreneurial ingenuity that can be a powerful motivator for all students, especially teen entrepreneurs!”
The dedicated, inspirational teen overcame obstacles related to ADHD, dyslexia and bullying to achieve his dream. His journey began when he was 13, making websites for family and friends in his bedroom. At the age of 15, Bliss launched PixelCutLabs and has worked with such brands as Vault Aviation Private Jets, Good Life Family Magazine, and the College Football Playoffs. Bliss has been accepted to the University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business, where he will begin his college journey in the fall of 2018.
While still running his company, Brennen consults with organizations across the country, helping them build marketing campaigns to reach young audiences thanks to his unique position as a member of Gen Z. Additionally, he dedicates his time and energy to promoting young entrepreneurship by coaching and supporting young entrepreneurs and sharing his story through various WordCamp events, as well as the Diamond Challenge, which provides students from around the world with the opportunity to pursue their passions through entrepreneurship.
