Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

It was a little more than a year ago when the 160-plus members of the Greater Dallas Jewish community traveled to Yad Vashem as part of the Big One mission to Israel.
There, we were privileged to hear insightful and moving remarks from Dr. Rachel Korazim, renowned Holocaust educator, before touring the museum. Next weekend, March 4-5, all members of the community will have the opportunity to learn from Korazim when she is the scholar-in-residence at Congregation Shearith Israel.
Read on:

Shearith Israel welcomes Rachel Korazim as scholar-in-residence

Dr. Rachel Korazim of Yad Vashem brings Israel’s past and present to life. Through an exploration of images, literature, poetry, and music, Korazim helps audiences deepen our connection to Israel and Israelis and to the Holocaust and those forever changed by it.
For many years, Korazim says, we have learned to deal with the memory of the Holocaust through the unimaginable number of 6,000,000 victims. We have been exposed to mainly black-and-white photography and have also developed a vocabulary to address these issues.
Together, we will examine the way these elements have shaped our collective memory and explore alternative ways to remember and commemorate. As scholar-in-residence, Korazim will present a lecture on this topic after dinner Friday evening, March 4, at Congregation Shearith Israel, titled “About Numbers, Pictures and Words.”
On Friday, March 4, services in the Beck Family Sanctuary begin at 6 p.m. Dinner and learning following services in Topletz Auditorium begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 per person and RSVP is required by March 2. For more information or to register for Shabbat dinner, visit shearith.org or contact Chantal Umana at cumana@shearith.org or 214-939-7325.
On Saturday morning, March 5, services in the Beck Family Sanctuary begin at 9:30 a.m. The d’var Torah will be given by Dr. Korazim. Services will be followed by a complimentary Kiddush luncheon in Kaplan Auditorium. Dr. Korazim will teach at 1 p.m. Her topic is “Complex Images of Peace and Hope.”
Through an exploration of Israeli poetry and song by Yehuda Amichai and others, Dr. Korazim will explore images of peace from periods in Israel’s history when peace was a mere wish at best. At times uplifting, at times controversial, the words will spark a lively discussion about one of the Jewish people’s deepest national aspirations — peace in Israel.
— Submitted by Judith Tashbook-Safern

Get fired up for the 23rd annual Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-off on March 6

The charitable beneficiaries of the 23rd Annual Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-off are the Dallas Holocaust Museum and Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas — Women’s Abuse Support group.
“The Dallas Holocaust Museum is honored to be one of the beneficiaries of the Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-off,” said Mary Pat Higgins, president and CEO of the Museum/Center. “For years we have enjoyed being a part of the cook-off to test our culinary skills against the best in the community. We look forward to the camaraderie and fun of this year’s event. Thank you for supporting the Museum.”
CEO of Jewish Family Service Michael Fleisher added, “Jewish Family Service greatly appreciates being selected as a beneficiary of Tiferet Israel’s 2016 Chili Cook-off. The Cook-off contribution is targeted to help underwrite our support group services for women as they address the impact of abusive relationships. Those with children find the groups beneficial in helping not only their recovery process, but assisting their children.”
In 2015, The 22nd Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-off proceeds provided contributions to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) and JCC Maccabi Games.
Recipients from the proceeds of the Cook-off in previous years include: Akiba Academy, Tikvah, Pam Seigel Fund, Jewish Family Service, Wise Academy, Yavneh Academy, Kosovo Relief, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Dealey Orchestra, B’nai B’rith, Hillel, Austin Street Shelter, Golden Acres, Chai House, Bikur Cholim Society, Vaad Hakashrus Of Dallas, Maccabi Games/Taglit, Dana’s Hope/Golden Acres, JCC Senior Program, Jewish War Veterans, VNA Meals on Wheels, SoupMobile, Jewish Children’s Regional Service, Community Homes for Adults, Inc., Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association, Moishe House–Dallas Chapter, Dallas Jewish Historical Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association’s ALS Division, Texas Region of the Bnai Zion Foundation, Dallas Fighting Maccabees Special Olympics Texas delegation, and the Dallas VA Hospital-Veterans Recovery Trauma and Rehab center.
For more about the Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-off, including events, entertainment and costs, visit http://kosherchilicookoff.us.

— Submitted by Jennifer Williams

Temple Shalom celebrates 50th anniversary with another special Shabbat service

Rabbi Emeritus Kenneth D. Roseman joined Rabbi Andrew Paley for the special ’80s/’90s themed service Feb. 19. Temple Shalom members continue to celebrate the exciting and vibrant history of their beloved synagogue.

Some congregants came dressed in their favorite ’80s styles and everyone enjoyed reminiscing about old times at the Oneg and listening to Rabbi Roseman’s sermon. “With nearly 500 worshipping with us, including many of the residents of CHAI House, their staff and officers, we continued the celebrating of our 50 years by commemorating the decades of the ’80s and ’90s with our guest speaker and Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Ken Roseman as our featured speaker.
“In addition to his important words, Cantor Avery brought us many wonderful melodies and passages from the Gates of Prayer, the Reform prayer book used during those years. It was a blessing to see so many rejoicing in the memories of those years at Temple Shalom which were filled with innovation, creativity, growth and the kind of entrepreneurial spirit which all continues through to this day,“ exclaimed Rabbi Paley.

—Submitted by Lisa Rothberg