Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

Introducing the Schultz Family Leadership Fellows

The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas has launched a new initiative for emerging and current leaders in the Dallas Jewish community who have never been to Israel as an adult. The Schultz Family Leadership Fellows program combines leadership training, Israel education and a 10-day trip to Israel as the core of this innovative new program.
Leslie Schultz, a strong supporter of Israel education and community involvement, explains, “As a family involved in Dallas community life and having served on many boards of directors, we recognize the continual need for a well-educated, knowledgeable group of people ready and willing to become the next leaders of our community.
“The goal of this program is to create a new source of leaders.”

A group of nine talented and dedicated lay leaders in the Dallas area have been selected to participate in this new initiative. The program also includes a cohort of young adults from Dallas’ Partnership Region, the Western Galilee. For the next several months these two groups will participate in sessions to develop and enhance their skills as Jewish leaders; deepen their knowledge of and personal relationship with Israel; and discover tools and resources to develop their leadership skills before the experience culminates with a trip to Israel this summer.
“We find that Israel inspires members of our community in their leadership roles,” commented Bradley Laye, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. “It’s a powerful experience to visit Israel and understand how Jews in Dallas make an impact on Israel as well as on Jews around the world. Nothing can describe the feeling of being in Israel for the first time and it’s incredibly powerful to have the opportunity to bring that experience home and make a greater impact on our work in Dallas.”
While in Israel, the group will travel across the country together with their peers from the Western Galilee, meet with elected officials and entrepreneurs, and gain a deeper understanding of the Dallas Jewish community’s support of programs in the Western Galilee and across the country.
Upon their return, these leaders will serve the Dallas Jewish community in leadership positions in different agencies and organizations. The group includes Monica Berry, Jennifer Goldstein, Jennifer Hoffman, Megan Hyman, Danielle Mann, Brad Roth, Adam Segall, Terry Sigle, and Scott Zimmerman.
— Submitted by Jeff Roberts

NCJW honors women for service to organization and Dallas community

On Jan. 26, at its annual birthday luncheon, NCJW Greater Dallas recognized women and agencies who have dared to dream of a better world for women, children and families in Dallas, and who have fought to safeguard individual rights and freedoms. The Dallas Section gave out three individual awards to members who have given selflessly to NCJW and the community, and one agency award to an NCJW partner that has had a significant impact on women, children or families in the city.
This year’s Pioneering Partner Award recognized NTARuPT (North Texas Alliance to Reduce Teen Pregnancy). NTARuPT is a coalition of over 35 nonprofit groups that seeks to reduce teen pregnancy. NCJW volunteer Terry Greenberg heads the agency and has been instrumental in the coalition’s success, securing a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to further its work. NTARuPT was born when Dallas was selected as one of three pilot cities to receive funds from a Ford Foundation Grant awarded to NCJW, Inc. to address barriers preventing access to contraception in underserved populations. NCJW Greater Dallas provided seed money to form the coalition uniting like-minded faith and secular organizations on the issue.
Cheryl Pollman received the 2016 Hannah G. Solomon Award. The Hannah G. Solomon Award is named for the woman who established NCJW in 1893 and is presented to someone who has helped to change and expand the role of women in community life, and whose leadership has motivated others to fight for change.
Pollman became active in NCJW in 1997. Over the past 20 years, she has served as president, chair of strategic planning and the SHARE Endowment Fund and in many other leadership positions. She has taught continuously at Vickery Meadow Learning Center (VMLC) for over 15 years. Pollman sits on the VMLC board of directors and serves on the board of the Vickery Meadow Neighborhood Alliance, Vickery Meadow Action Team, Vickery Meadow Brain Trust and the Mayor’s Task Force on Poverty. In recent months, she assumed a leadership role in the Dallas chapter of Moms Demand Action to fight gun violence and draw attention to the dangers posed by open carry.
The Emerging Leader Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a commitment to the Greater Dallas Section through service and support, has served on the board for less than five years, is a current committee chair or officer, and shows future leadership potential. This year’s recipient, Amy Schachter, has co-chaired the Levine Academy Gala, the JCC Gems Gymnastics expansion, and recruitment for the 2015 Dallas Maccabi team. Currently, she is co-chair of a campaign to fund stained-glass windows at Anshai Torah. In 2009, Schachter joined the NCJW board and became passionate about the organization’s WACHS (Women’s Access to Comprehensive Health Services) program.
Rabbi Nancy Kasten received the 2016 Janis Levine Music Make-A-Difference Award, which honors the memory of Janis Levine Music, an NCJW leader who gave of herself with dignity and kindness of spirit. Kasten was part of the first wave of women ordained as rabbis, and she has served as a role model for all women who want to be strong change-agents without deviating from their moral compass. Kasten became involved in NCJW when she moved to Dallas.
She appreciated that NCJW offered an opportunity for women to come together around a common goal. As someone who is passionate about mindfulness and social justice, she sees how dedicated NCJW volunteers such as Adlene Harrison, Pat Peiser, and Syl Benenson use their commitment to making the world a better place to express their spirituality.
“We are pleased to honor the work of these remarkable women and change agents,” said NCJW Dallas President Caren Edelstein. “Their work ensures that the future will be brighter for many women, children and families in our community.”
— Submitted by Jane Larkin

Beth Torah Men’s Club to host March Madness roundtable

The Congregation Beth Torah Men’s Club monthly breakfast on Sunday, March 13, features an All-Star lineup to talk about the March Madness college basketball tournament, the upcoming baseball season and all things sports.
Joining the panel will be Rick Gosselin, sports columnist at The Dallas Morning News, Channel 11 sports anchor Keith Russell, and longtime sportscaster Gina Miller, who divides her time between stations in Dallas and Los Angeles.
The lox-and-bagel breakfast is open to everyone, begins at 9 a.m. and costs $10, $5 for students. Beth Torah is located at 720 W. Lookout Drive in Richardson, near the crossroads of Bush Turnpike and Central Expressway.
— Submitted by Michael Precker
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