Interfaith forum tonight
Dallas Area Interfaith and its Collin County Cluster will host an Integration Forum this evening (Thursday, May 29), beginning at 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 2700 West Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano. Ernesto Cortes, Jr., Martin Luther King visiting professor at MIT, will be the keynoter.
This event is sponsored “by clergy and congregations in Plano calling for civil discussion in support of a comprehensive approach to immigration reform,” according to DAI. Local religious leaders will participate. To be addressed are the historical benefits of, and challenges to, immigration in the United States.
Dallas Area Interfaith presents community conversations for “sharing social, ethical and scriptural teachings from our various faith traditions.” This evening’s forum is open to all.
Rabbi Raskin to speak at Hadassah installation luncheon
The Dallas Chapter of Hadassah will hold its installation luncheon Sunday, June 1, at 11:30 a.m. Rabbi Adam Raskin will be guest speaker on a timely topic concerning recent events at Plano, Dallas and Richardson district schools.
Location is May Dragon Chinese Restaurant, 4848 Beltline Road. Luncheon charge is $25 for adults, $20 for teens. A vegetarian meal will be served family style. (To reserve a kosher meal upon prior request, call the Hadassah office, 214-691-1948.) Because of limited seating, reservations are mandatory.
You can also reserve by e-mail: chapter.dallas@hadassah.org.
Five cantors to be featured in gala Jewish music celebration
Five cantors and three synagogue choirs and youth choirs will perform a spectacular Jewish music concert Sunday, June 1, 7 p.m., at Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest Road in Dallas. This concert will mark the conclusion of the 2008 Showcase Series, sponsored by the Temple Emanu-El Music Committee.
The audience will experience the artistry of Cantors Richard Cohn of Temple Emanu-El, Don Alan Croll of Temple Shalom and Itzhak Zhrebker of Congregation Shearith Israel, joined by their adult and youth choirs, along with Cantor Jacob Cohen of Congregation Nishmat Am and Student Cantor David Frommer of Adat Chaverim. Temple Emanu-El is privileged to welcome colleagues from around our community as guest soloists with its own Cantor Cohn on this occasion.
Cantor Cohn has performed as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under such conductors as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, James Levine and Sir Georg Solti. He has often interpreted the cantor’s part in Ernest Bloch’s “Avodath Hakodesh” (Sacred Service), including performances with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
Cantor Croll has performed in Israel and appeared as guest soloist with Kol Echad, the premier Jewish chorale in Los Angeles. He has also performed with the Albuquerque Symphony, as well as in the Kennedy Center’s Fourth of July celebration, “Let Freedom Sing.”
Cantor Zhrebker has served as guest cantor for various synagogues around the world. He has performed with the New Israeli Opera, Walden Piano Quartet, Russian Ensemble Kalinka, String Trio Les Amis, Marvin Hamlisch, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. His latest success was with the Dallas Opera and the cast of “Tales of Hoffmann.”
Cantor Cohen, born and raised in Dallas, is a highly experienced concert artist. He began singing and studying piano at the age of 4 and studied the art of cantorial chanting with his father, Cantor (Rabbi) Yitzchak Cohen. He was privileged to study with Cantor Asher Hainovitz, cantor of the Yeshurun Central Synagogue of Jerusalem, as well as with Aryeh Goldberg, cantor of the Great Synagogue.
David Frommer is a cantorial student at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music, in his home town of New York City. He received an honors degree in history from Yale University in May 2004, where he was a member, and later the musical director, of Magevet, the Yale University Jewish a cappella chorus. During his time at Yale, David toured extensively with Magevet throughout the United States and Europe and recorded several CDs with the group.
The five cantors and assembled choirs will sing repertoire emphasizing themes of the festival season, along with a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the modern state of Israel. With an outstanding array of talent on the program, this will be a not-to-be-missed opportunity.
The Showcase Series is produced by the Temple Emanu-El Music Committee, chaired by Sarah Yarrin and advised by Cantor Richard Cohn. The series is celebrating its 18th year as a premier event at Temple Emanu-El.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior/student, $7 for youth 13 and under. Order online at www.tedallas.org or call Temple Emanu-El, 214-706-0000; Sarah Yarrin, 214-924-1487; or Rosalee Cohen, 972-233-2001.
Nine-year-old donates profits to MDHA
On May 12, 9-year-old Jacob Wisch came to the offices of Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (accompanied by his mother, Judy Wisch) to contribute the profits from his neighborhood “Salad Stand.” Jacob and his 9-year-old cousin, Rosie Bernstein, daughter of Jordana and Josh Bernstein, donated $13.50 to benefit the homeless and expressed interest in volunteering to help the homeless at The Bridge either with direct service to clients or by raising awareness and money. What a wonderful thing to have happened at MDHA.
Press notes
Congratulations to Dr. Lionel and Gloria Reiman on the recent graduation of their daughter, Alyssa “Lyssy,” from Washington University in St. Louis. The Reimans are excited that their son, Dr. Steven Reiman, and his bride will soon become Dallas-area residents, which allows all four of the Reiman offspring to be close to their heart and home.
Mitch Goldminz, wiseguy cop
Growing up and thriving in a tough New York environment, Mitch Goldminz moved to Dallas in 1971 and became a cop here. As one of the few Jewish Dallas police officers and as a former New Yorker, he faced many challenges different than those in New York.
When temples or synagogues were desecrated, Mitch was there with other officers bringing sensitivity to the department in the times before laws and hate crime bills were ever dreamt of. Working with the mall task force for over three years, he made holiday shoppers safer in parking lots and stores in Dallas. His idea of setting up a parking lot and home driveway task force took 29 car thieves off the streets, reduced car theft by 26 percent and made our citizens safer.
Mitch has been decorated 26 times with ribbons and medals. Working the police funerals as usher coordinator was his own creation when he saw the need to organize the saddest days on the force. One of his proudest awards was from Explorer Post 68 where Latino, Vietnamese and Cambodian kids honored him for his work with them in safety and giving programs over the years.
With a strong New York accent, Mitch was a natural for undercover work in Dallas. That’s the subject of his novel, “Vice, Wiseguy Cop.”
Seriously injured on the job in October 2000, Mitch and his local Jewish co-author Bennett Litwin put to paper some funny, crazy and dangerous tales in the form of a novel to change the names and give enough poetic license for it to be fiction.
In the book, “Vice, Wiseguy Cop,” protagonist Mike Goldberg served the Dallas community as a highly decorated police officer for 33 years both on patrol and, more adventurously, as an undercover vice officer. Utilizing his rough Brooklyn beginnings, Mike moved to Dallas and, knowing how the bad guys think, he was a natural at stopping criminals in unconventional ways.
As a way to support the troops, several local businessmen have purchased books as a thank-you to the troops and a thank-you to Mitch for his service. These gifts for our rough-and-ready soldiers, who protect us at home and abroad, give them a way to stay in touch with America by enjoying a mostly true and often comedic approach to law enforcement and tax-deductibles (check with your accountant). Carl Sewall, by the way, of Sewall Village Cadillac bought a case of books for the troops.
If you wish to purchase books for yourself, for our troops or Father’s Day or birthdays, you can contact Mitch Goldminz or his co-author Bennett Litwin at sales@vicewc.com or by mail at Vice, WC, P.O. Box 863833, Plano, TX 75086-3833.
Dallas Chapter of Hadassah approves new board officers
New officers of the Dallas Chapter of Hadassah board approved at the May 4 meeting include: president, Susie Avnery; organization vice president, Barbara Moses; treasurer, Jo Zeffren; assistant treasurers, Lisa Bronchetti and Harriet Hollander; and secretary, Sunny Shor.
Other vice presidents include: fund development, Susan Blum Barnett; membership, Suellen Rothschild; co-programming, Susan Stein and Miriam Waltzer; co-education, Leanne Hall and Kathleen Glosser; communications, Linda Steinberg; and directory, Marsha Bakera.
UNT gives Outstanding Service Award to president of North Texas Exes
Congratulations to Phillip Glauben of Dallas, who has received the Outstanding Service Award from the University of North Texas.
The award was presented to Glauben during UNT’s annual Alumni Awards banquet, held April 18. It is presented to individuals who have provided exceptional volunteer service to UNT.
A salesman for Komar Alliance in Dallas, Glauben received his bachelor’s degree in personnel and industrial relations from UNT in 1976 and a Master of Education degree in 1978. He has been on the board of directors for the North Texas Exes alumni association since 2000, and currently serves as its president. He is also on the board of directors for the Dallas Holocaust Museum. Glauben formerly served on the board of directors for the Dallas chapter of B’nai B’rith and was the international president of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He is a member of Congregation Shearith Israel.
Levine Academy students take first place in Metroplex Stock Market competition
Forget investing with high-priced Wall Street firms and leave your online trading Web sites behind. To make money, all you have to do is follow the lead of the four Levine Academy seventh-grade students who “invested” $100,000, turned it into $135,000 and, as a result, took first place in the Metroplex Stock Market Game, beating out 334 teams in the Dallas area.
Levine Academy uses the Stock Market Game to help students learn important academic and life skills in a fun and innovative way. Working in teams, they begin with a virtual cash account of $100,000 and strive to create the best-performing portfolio using a live, Internet-based trading simulation. As they compete, they utilize their leadership skills, organizational skills and negotiation skills, as well as learn the importance of cooperation and compromise. In addition, they gain knowledge of investing and financial principles, like saving, in the context of the real-world economy, while sharpening critical thinking skills and improving their knowledge in math, language arts and social studies.
‘Alice in Wonderland’ makes Yavneh a wonder land
Yavneh Academy’s theater department recently presented “Alice in Wonderland,” directed by Jamey Jamison.
The stellar cast included Ilan Attar (Knave of Hearts), Brittany Barnett (Ensemble), Michael Bierman (Ensemble), Leigh Bonner (Duchess of Spades), Pemme Emily Brill (Red Queen), Arielle Time Burstein (Mad Hatter/Playbill Design), Sahar David (Caterpillar), Abbie Denemark (Turtle), Melissa Diamond (White Rabbit), Sara Greenberg (Gryphon), Shelbi Karlebach (Duck), Paige Koeppel (Tweedle-Dum), Eve Moel (Cheshire Cat), Daniel Moskowitz (Dormouse), David Naxon (Cook), Libby Panipinto (Margret), Bess Reisberg (Tweedle-Dee), Grace Rosenthal (Duchess of Diamonds), Baruch Shawel (Red King), Tova Stolovitsky (White Queen), Michelle Tanur (Duchess of Hearts), Saralinda Taurog (Dodo), Rachel Zbolon (Alice) and Arye Zucker (March Hare).
Yavneh art teacher Marsha Evans designed and directed the set, and students Daniel Boker, Elizabeth Chatham, Mark Cheirif, Alexander Hirschberg, Matthew Kirby, Sara Levi, Ethan Prescott and Adam Sallmander served as technical crew.
DJCF awards Risch scholarships to four Jewish preschools
Four grants, based on financial need, have been awarded to local Jewish preschools by the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation (DJCF), through the Helen E. Risch Scholarship Fund, in order to increase enrollment for the upcoming 2008–2009 school year. Recipients include the Aaron Family JCC Taglit Preschool, Ann and Nate Levine Academy Preschool, Congregation Anshai Torah Preschool and Temple Shalom Preschool.
“Our foundation is honored to be able to play a small supporting role in helping fulfill Helen and Frank Risch’s wonderful vision of supporting Jewish early childhood education as expressed through the Helen E. Risch Scholarship Fund. We commend all of the local Jewish early childhood education programs for the important work that they do,” said David Agronin, chief executive officer of the foundation.
Temple Shalom Director of Early Childhood Education Bonnie Rubenstein noted: “It feels so wonderful to know that the importance of early childhood education in a Jewish preschool is now being realized. I hope it is just the beginning and that in the future more children will be able to begin their Jewish education in their early childhood years.”
Helen Risch’s passion for early Jewish childhood education is inspiring. A former teacher herself, she says, “We need to be aware that we have to educate our children and their parents to maintain the continuity of Judaism. When parents get together to see what their children are learning, they, too, continue the process of education. We have to go back to the very first school experience, and become committed to teaching preschool-aged children about values and our Jewish traditions.” She is candid about one aspect of the Helen E. Risch Preschool Scholarship Endowment fund: “This is just a start. It can’t be just Frank and Helen, but everyone who needs to be involved in the education of young children. Our hope is that people will start new funds or add to this or other preschool scholarship funds at the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation.”
Increasing Jewish preschool enrollment continues to be the paramount objective of the Helen E. Risch Scholarship Endowment Fund. For more information, contact Deborah Hersh at 214-615-5260 or e-mail Deborah at dhersh@djcf.org.
DJCF was originally established in 1973 as the trust and endowment arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and the organized Jewish community. Now, more than three decades later, the foundation manages more than $150 million in assets. In addition, the number of indivual funds and supporting foundations has grown to approximately 800, and these numbers are growing. DJCF is an independently incorporated, publicly supported charity.
Eli Evans, poet laureate of the South, to be Pollman lecturer at Emanu-El
The Dallas Jewish Historical Society will present its fourth offering of the Harold A. Pollman Lecture Series, now offered four times a year, with acclaimed author and philanthropist, Eli N. Evans. The Evans program is a joint collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, the Dallas Chapter of Hadassah and the Dallas Jewish Historical Society. This program will accompany the Dallas Jewish Historical Society’s annual meeting and board installation on Wednesday, May 21, 7:30 p.m. at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center’s Zale Auditorium.
Eli Evans, born and raised in Durham, N.C., has a distinguished career in the government, education and philanthropic sectors. Most recently, he served as president of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, a $180 million foundation in New York, which makes grants for programs that deal with urban affairs, education, biomedical research and Jewish philanthropy. He served in this capacity from 1977 to 2003. Evans’ remarkable career includes working as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson in the mid-1960s, a stint at Duke University and 10 years with the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
He is the author of three books: “The Provincials: A Personal History of Jews in the South”; his biography of Judah P. Benjamin, titled “Judah P. Benjamin: The Jewish Confederate,” described as a “brilliant … study … and superb biography”; and his most recent work, “The Lonely Days Were Sundays: Reflections of a Jewish Southerner,” which resulted in Abba Eban declaring, “The Jews of the South have found their poet laureate.”
Evans was born into a prominent Southern Jewish family with role models serving both the local community and Jewish community as well as involvement in the national scene. His father, E.J. “Mutt” Evans, served as mayor of Durham for five terms. His mother, Sara Evans, was a national vice president of Hadassah, and his maternal grandmother was the first president of Hadassah in North Carolina. His brother, Bob Evans, served as a news correspondent for CBS in Moscow in the early 1960s and covered the civil rights movement in the South during the turbulent ‘60s and ‘70s. His uncle and aunt, well-known Dallas residents, Bill and Elya Naxon, have continued their strong Zionist support.
This program is part of a continuing series graciously sponsored by Harold Pollman for the purpose of bringing to Dallas national experts on topics of interest to the Dallas Jewish community. Admission is free and the program is open to the public. For more information, call 214-239-7120 or e-mail the Society at dtobias@djhs.com.
Akiba Academy will honor faculty at special scholarship event on May 15
Akiba Academy is poised to “Celebrate its Educational Future,” the theme of this year’s scholarship dinner and raffle, on Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m.
An Israeli-themed dinner will set the mood and will be the backdrop to a special art auction featuring the works of Akiba students. Akiba will honor current faculty and staff members who exemplify best practices by delivering excellence in Judaic and general studies education every day. A special memento will be awarded to Akiba employees who have contributed to Akiba’s success over the last five years and longer.
Raffle Co-chairs Ellen Avraham and Hilary Bernhardt and Board Chairperson Helene Schussler look forward to welcoming Akiba parents and all distinguished guests to this special event organized by director Marilyn Rutner and the entire development department at Akiba.
JCC junior tennis players strike again
The spring USA team tennis season started in January. Some days were cold, some days were sunny and many days were WET. The weather conditions didn’t stop the dedication and determination of our players. On April 27, both of the JCC junior tennis teams, the Shooters and the Bangers, found themselves in the Dallas city championships.
The “JCC Shooters,” the JCC’s 14-and-under intermediate team, beat the Lakes Academy in a close semifinal match. In the finals, the JCC Shooters continued their winning streak by defeating the North West Smashers with a score of 5-3 and won the city championship!
The “JCC Bangers,” the JCC’s 14-and-under beginning team, defeated another Lakes Academy team with a score of 6-2. Unfortunately, the JCC Bangers fell short to the Whatevers of Dallas. The match was very close, with six of eight sets decided by one game. Another interesting fact that made this match notable was that all the JCC players are 11 and 12 years old, and the winning team consisted of players who were all 14 years old. Great tennis was played by all. Coach John Singer said he and the staff are very proud of their players who practice four days a week for 1-1/2 hours each day. They put in the time and their hard work paid off. The championship trophy is on display in the tennis office. Please come by to see it.
Rabbi Andrew M. Paley selected for STAR’s unique leadership program
Beginning this June, Rabbi Andrew M. Paley, senior rabbi at Temple Shalom, will embark on a “journey toward greatness” as one of only 18 rabbis throughout the country participating in the third year of a new program, “STAR Rabbis: From Good To Great.” The program is the first initiative to explore excellence in leadership with rabbis who have at least 10 years’ experience.
Experienced rabbis have many opportunities to attend conferences and meet with colleagues. But, “From Good to Great” provides them with a very different experience. The program offers rabbis at mid-career a unique way to re-energize their dreams and lead their communities with greater impact, along with a select group of colleagues from across the denominational spectrum.
“Rabbis need ways to reconnect with the ideals that called them into the congregation and develop new strategies for bringing those ideals to life,” said Rabbi Hayim Herring, STAR’s executive director. Inspired by the bestselling book, “Good to Great,” by business consultant Jim Collins, the program uses trusted principles of leadership to energize, inspire and support rabbis who compare their current achievements to their future aspirations.
Through participation in two leadership retreats, several “webinars” (learning sessions over the Internet) and mentored project work, rabbis practice the art of leadership and change management within their congregation. The program places special emphasis on building a more vibrant congregation through partnership with lay leadership.
Faculty and guest teachers for “From Good to Great” include some of the leading rabbis and experts from the Jewish world and corporate leaders who also understand synagogues and the Jewish community.
“It is an honor to be a part of such an esteemed group of colleagues brought together by such a wonderful foundation. I am eager to learn and to grow and to bring an even greater passion and vision to my rabbinate, to my congregation and to the Jewish people,” Rabbi Paley said.
Levine Academy students inducted into National Junior Honor Society
On Monday, April 28, Levine Academy inducted 10 new members into the National Junior Honor Society, established over 75 years ago. Levine Academy chartered its first chapter in 2005 with the goal of providing an avenue to further student leadership and commitment to tikkun olam, repairing the world. “We have great expectations of our Honor Society students,” said Wende Weinberg, NJHS advisor. “Those students are expected to take a leadership role in the school community and the greater Dallas community, and take on the obligation of ‘repairing the world.’” The NJHS members organize the Levine Academy Annual Chesed Day and Mitzvah Madness Day, which are both devoted to helping those less fortunate in Dallas, and serve as academic tutors and teacher aids within the academy. “As a result of programs such as Mitzvah Madness Day,” added K–8 Principal Dr. Susie Wolbe, “all of our students see the world beyond their own needs and discover the rewards of helping others in the greater Dallas area.” In the past, the students have organized the entire student body to prepare Thanksgiving dinners for the homeless and work at such agencies as the North Texas Food Bank, Vogel Alcove, Family Gateway, Community Partners of Dallas–Rainbow Room, Geniza Burial at Congregation Shearith Israel Cemetery, and the Ronald McDonald House.
Seventh- and eighth-grade students may be considered for membership in the NJHS only if they have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 85 or higher. Once that criterion is met, a faculty council evaluates each student based upon the following criteria: service, leadership, character and citizenship. The students selected for membership meet on a regular basis to plan and execute one or more school service projects, in addition to continuing their own social service endeavors.
Congratulations to the following Levine Academy students who were inducted into the NJHS: class of ‘08: Elianah Gorin; class of ‘09: Jeffrey Diamond, Shelby Gadol, Rachel Goodman, Grace Horn, Justin Katz, Liz Livingston, Yosef Presburger, Kayley Romick and Dillon Shipper. They join current members from the class of 2008: Ali Feinstein, Jillian Herstein, Andrew Leffler, Jordan Rudner, Jessica Solls, Alex Weinstein and Tori Weinstein.
The NJHS, with more than 5,000 chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, many U.S. territories and Canada, has become a prestigious organization, ranking high among administrators, faculty members, students, parents and residents of the school community.
‘Religion in Public Schools: New Laws … New Dilemmas’
The American Jewish Congress and Congregation Tiferet Israel will host a panel discussion on Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at Tiferet Israel, 10909 Hillcrest Road.
Have Texas legislators crossed the constitutional line on separation of religion and state? Many believe that recently passed laws regarding teaching of the Bible and freedom of expression in Texas public schools go against the “establishment clause” in the U.S. Constitution. Do they, or is the problem in the implementation? Listen to an expert panel debate on this subject with Professor Lackland Bloom, constitutional law professor at the SMU Dedman School of Law; Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network; Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for Free Market Foundation; and Dr. Jim Wussow, Plano ISD executive director for secondary academic services.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Susan Myers at AJCongress, 214-368-2731, or Gary Kahalnik at Tiferet Israel, 214-691-3611, ext. 2.
Installation at closing meeting
Herzl Hadassah will hold its installation of officers for the coming year at its closing meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. in the Senior Assembly Room at the Aaron Family JCC.
June Penkar, immediate past president of the Dallas Chapter, will conduct the installation. Mimi Guten, popular and inimitable musician, will present a musical program.
Members and guests are all invited. Please remember to bring a dairy lunch; coffee and desert will be served by Herzl. Remember also to bring your Blue Boxes!
Well-deserved honoree
Congratulations to Ann Margolin, who received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Women’s Council of Dallas County. This award honors a woman who has had “outstanding accomplishments in public service that have demonstrated leadership and effective advocacy resulting in change.” Ann, who was honored for her years of work with Parkland Hospital, was the first woman to chair the board of Parkland and served on that board for six years. More recently, she has served on the Blue Ribbon Panel appointed by the Dallas County Commissioners to recommend the scope, logistics and financing of a new hospital. Ann, who currently serves on the Dallas Park and Recreation board, is a member of Temple Emanu-El and has served on the boards of ADL and the JCRC. She is currently on the board of the American Jewish Committee.
NCJW Dallas Section closing luncheon
For long years the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section, has been in the communal and civic forefronts, immersed in a myriad of community activities benefiting youngsters, oldsters and those in-between. As a prospective new resident of the Dallas community with my forthcoming move to The Legacy, one of my first tasks will be to reinstate my membership in the NCJW. I was a longtime member for many years in Fort Worth, until the chapter, successful though it was, disbanded because of the lack of young leadership, the bane of many worthy organizations on both the local and national scene. Thankfully, the Greater Dallas Section is in good hands with a large corps of fabulous dedicated volunteers.
Accepting the mantle of the presidency at the 96th Annual Installation Luncheon on Thursday, May 8, 11:15 a.m. will be the very capable Cheryl Pollman, who comes to the post with years of dedication and service to the high principles of NCJW. After her retirement from her law practice, Cheryl dedicated her energy and talents to furthering the mission and goals of the Dallas Section. Her love of advocacy, education and community service is a perfect fit for NCJW.
Also to be installed are vice presidents: Debbie Greene, administration; Nancy Fellman, community service; Stacy Barnett, Robin Zweig, financial development; Cathy Golden, Terry Greenberg, public affairs; Michelle Bassichis, public relations; and Lauren Busch, Amy Hollander, membership. Also, Kristyle Solomon, secretary; Sheryl Bogen, associate secretary; Kay Schachter, treasurer; and Laura Diamond, associate treasurer.
Directors at large for 2008–2009 include Marla Bane, Barbara Berger, Saralynn Busch, Sandy Donsky, Sharan Goldstein, Linnie Katz, Staci Mankoff and Bette Morchower; for 2008-2010, Elizabeth Greif, Nancy Kasten, Katherine Krause, Felise Leidner, Peggy Millheiser, Ellen Silverman, Rhona Streit and Beth Stromberg.
Serving on the Nominating Committee were Sue Tilis, Eileen Kreisler, Jaynie Schultz and Maddy Unterberg.
Keynote speaker will be Becky Sykes, executive director of the Dallas Women’s Foundation.
Luncheon chairs were Barbara Einsohn and Sharan Goldstein. Retiring president of the Section is Sue Tilis, who in her closing statement said: “Our membership numbers continue to climb as do the financial resources available for funding community services educational and advocacy. Under the leadership of Cheryl Pollman, the Section is destined to achieve. The generosity of so any members who have given their time, energy, wisdom and financial resources has enabled us to be so accomplished. I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful organization.”
Expressions 2008 is a smash hit!
For one whole week in April, the Dallas Jewish community was exposed to incredible artwork by more than 100 prominent Israeli artists through Expressions 2008. The exhibition, brought to the U.S. by sculptor Itzhak Assour, was held at Congregation Shearith Israel. It was sponsored by Shearith Israel, the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, the Texas Jewish Post and the state of Israel in celebration of Israel’s 60th!
Expressions was a huge success thanks to Committee Chairs Avra and Andrew Carr and their dedicated committee comprising Stacy Barnett, Sheli Barnett, Lynne Baron, Deidra Cizon, Gordon Cizon, Doron Ilai, Tarron Ilai, Susan Schackman and Jamie Weisbrod. A great big thank-you to them and all of the volunteers who helped at the exhibition and at the various events that took place throughout the week.
Additionally, thanks to all of the people who attended the exhibition, especially those who made purchases. Funds from the sale of the art benefited Israeli artists, Congregation Shearith Israel and the JCC.
Last but not least, kudos to Jamie Weisbrod for making the colorful floor mats directing people into the exhibition. They were fun, cheerful, and indestructible. If anyone is interested in purchasing one, please contact Jamie Weisbrod at jmifredell@swbell.net.
Richard Heinsius will be JWV May speaker
The Jewish War Vets’ Paul H. Lewis tells the TJP that Richard Heinsius will speak to JWV on Sunday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the JCC. His subject hits very close to home. Joel Sheskin, Rhoda’s husband, succumbed to Alzheimer’s. His care during those trying days will be described by our speaker. We hope that none of you will succumb to Alzheimer’s. Rhoda suggested Richard as a speaker so that you may learn some useful tips if you or your loved ones do so.
Richard is VistaCare’s director of business development for Dallas and Collin counties. He has more than 20 years’ experience in health care; has worked in home health and hospice care with the Visiting Nurse Association; was director of business development and a member of the corporate reengineering team with Charter Medical Corp.; worked as a director on a joint venture project with Baylor, Harris Methodist and Presbyterian Healthcare organizations; and directed the corporate employee assistance network for Xerox.
As usual a lox and bagel brunch will be served.
Attention college students
Looking for a great way to spend your summer, fall, spring and holiday breaks? Join the JCC before June 1 and pay only $150 for 12 full months of fitness, fun, classes and more. Simply bring your school ID and get started today. Students must attend a school at least 50 miles away from the J. Fee must be paid in full.
Tuesdays@Central
The Dallas Public Library is pleased to welcome you to Tuesdays@Central, an exciting, new weekly series of free, eclectic and engaging programs providing stimulating, entertaining and educational opportunities for the community. Held on the first floor of the Central Library, the series targets the growing population of people living downtown as well as the surrounding areas.
In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day and the end of World War II in Europe, the Dallas Public Library invites you to the May 6 Tuesdays@Central program from 7 to 8 p.m., with Elliott Dlin, noted speaker and executive director of the Dallas Holocaust Museum / Center for Education and Tolerance. He will discuss “The Holocaust: Lessons Learned and Lessons Still to Learn.”
We hope you will be able to attend this important event.
‘Diva’ Hadassah program well attended
About 50 Dallas Hadassah members couldn’t resist the siren call of “Sacred Diva,” a special evening program on Tuesday, April 22, in Fruhman Hall of the Aaron Family JCC.
A Passover dessert reception preceded the presentation by Jennifer Brown, Ph.D., who spoke to the women about “Our Bodies, Our Spirits: Rituals of Beauty and Lifecycle Milestones.” Her doctorate is in transpersonal psychology, but she accompanied and enhanced her program with photo slides of ancient goddesses, giving it the aura of an archaeological expedition.
Women’s lives have always fallen into three distinct segments, she explained. The Maiden is the young girl just growing toward womanhood; the Mother is so named because she is in her childbearing years, whether or not she actually has children; the post-menopausal Crone is to be honored and respected for her accumulated wisdom. “Crone” did not come into our language as a disparaging term, according to Brown; it is not the equivalent of the word “witch.” Rather, it is the female form of “crony,” a term often referring to friendships among elderly men.
In life as in the monthly cycle of her body, a woman parallels the phases of the moon, first waxing toward bright fullness, then waning to almost total darkness. After explaining this, Brown added that the woman’s cycle is also like that of the year and its seasons: Spring is the Maiden, coming into first bloom; the Mother is summer, filled with healthy productivity; the Crone is fall, banking her fires as she moves toward the inevitable death that is winter.
Brown, who lives in Phoenix, Ariz., is an educator who often speaks on women’s empowerment and has her own counseling practice, teaching women to recognize and utilize their feminine instincts for the betterment of their lives and those of the people around them. She is a life member of Hadassah, and was presented here by local members of two special Hadassah groups, Chain Society and Builders of the Future. They include Harriet Hollander and Suellen Rothschild, chairs of the event, and Marsha Baker, Janet Coppinger, Miriam Creemer, Maxine Dashefsky, Vered Golan, Leanne Hall, Marcy Helfand, Amy Hollander, Evelyn Margolis, Jo Reingold, Marjorie Shor, Sonia Shor, Lauri Wiss and Jo Zeffren. All have donated at least $360 per year to a variety of Hadassah projects.
More information about Dallas Hadassah and its programming is available by calling the local office, 214-691-1948.