By Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

Noa Baum will be the featured speaker at the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County Community Thank You event at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 8 at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 South Hulen St.
Baum is an award-winning storyteller who performs internationally. She works with diverse audiences ranging from The World Bank and prestigious universities to inner city schools and detention centers.
Born and raised in Israel, she was an actress at Jerusalem Khan Theater, studied with Uta Hagen in New York City and holds an M.A. from New York University. Baum offers a unique combination of performance art and practical workshops that focus on the power of narrative to heal across the divides of identity. In a world where peace is a challenge in the schoolyard and beyond, her work builds bridges of understanding and compassion.
Baum performs and teaches internationally, highlights include:

• The World Bank
• The Mayo Clinic
• U.S. Defense Department
• The Kennedy Center
• Hebrew University in Jerusalem
• AARP
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Fabula Festival, Sweden
• Limmud UK
• Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City
• George Washington University Law School
• Brandeis and Stanford universities.

She is a winner of a Parents’ Choice Recommended Award and a Storytelling World Award and recipient of numerous Individual Artist Awards from Maryland State Arts Council and Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
Baum has lived in the United States since 1990.
For more information, contact Angie Friedman, 817-569-0892.

Daytimers enjoy Rabbi Geoff Dennis’ presentation

Thank you to Larry Steckler, who filed the following report on behalf of the Daytimers, a program of Beth-El Congregation with support from the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis filled the Great Hall at Congregation Beth-El in Fort Worth, as more than 30 Sylvia Wolens Daytimers gathered to hear his illustrated presentation titled “Vampires, Witches and Commandos, Oy Vey!”
Many of the early comic book superheroes, starting in the 1930s and continuing into the 1960s, are the bearers of Jewish tropes, mostly of a sociological nature, but also religious. There are multiple “Jewish subtexts” that have been identified in association with these characters and their stories.
Not needing a microphone, Rabbi Dennis enthralled his audience with a very different illustrated presentation that followed the path of Lilith, the first wife of Adam, through the stories and illustrations used over the years in the comic book world.
After reading Rabbi Dennis’ article in the Spring 2014 edition of Shofar, an interdisciplinary journal of Jewish Studies, the Daytimers committee asked Rabbi Dennis to be its Halloween speaker.
He was a hit, evoking laughter, surprise and applause as he made his program a huge success.
On Nov. 11, Daytimers will gather to hear Professor Jim Riddlesperger. He will analyze the Nov. 3 election results. He will also present his thoughts about the 2016 elections that are creating so much news as the two major parties continue their debates.
Without making predictions, he will, in his knowledgeable fashion, share what he thinks is going on and what he thinks might happen between now and November of next year.
Reservations for the event Wednesday, Nov. 11, can be made by calling Larry Steckler at 817-927-2736.
Lunch will be catered by Subway and a choice of Roast Beef, Tuna, Turkey Breast or a Cold-Cut Combo (all turkey-based meats) will be available.
Hot coffee, iced tea, cookies and snacks will also be served. Cost is $9 per person. If you do not care to have lunch the fee is $5 for the program. Those wanting to attend can also make their reservation on the Congregation Beth-El website. Just go to www.bethelfw.org/donations.