By Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharonw@texasjewishpost.com

Team registration now open for first Dallas Kosher BBQ Championship

Team registration has opened for the inaugural Dallas Kosher BBQ Championship on Oct. 25, as the national cuisine of Texas meets the dietary laws of the Torah.
Author and Food Network star Simon Majumdar will host the competition, which is sanctioned by the world-renowned Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS). Dallas Kosher, the organization certifying that local food and facilities adhere to Jewish law, will supervise every aspect of the event.
The Men’s Club of Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson is organizing the championship benefiting the synagogue and CHAI House, which provides group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Brian Rubenstein, co-chair of the championship, says he expects 25 teams to show off their smoking and grilling skills before a huge crowd of barbecue lovers at the fun-filled family event.
“With the growing popularity of barbecue, there are competitions every weekend all over the country,” he said. “Kosher barbecue is becoming part of that, and we’re proud to bring the first championship event to Dallas.”
The competition will be held in the parking lot of Sunnyland Furniture, at the corner of Spring Valley and Coit Roads in Dallas. The daylong festivities will include music, cooking demonstrations, a kids play area — and, of course, barbecue.
Kosher barbecue competitions have one obvious difference — no pork — but there are other distinctions. To ensure adherence to dietary laws, the Men’s Club provides all grills, smokers, utensils, condiments and spices — as well as the four meats in competition: chicken, turkey, beef brisket and beef ribs.
Because no work can be done or fires lit on Shabbat, teams will prepare the meats Thursday night, then start cooking after sundown Saturday.
“We’re expecting local teams and some from as far away as Kansas,” Rubenstein said.
More information and entry forms are available at www.dallaskosherbbq.com.

Larry Silverman named Five Star Wealth Manager

Larry Silverman received the 2015 Five Star Wealth Manager award, an honor given to fewer than 4 percent of the wealth managers in the Dallas/Fort worth area this year.
Award winners, identified as advisors who provide quality services, will appear in the August issue of the Texas Monthly Magazine. Candidates are nominated based on a vigorous and objective research and evaluation process. Self-nominations are not accepted and wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or awarded.
The selection process is performed by Five Star, an independent third-party organization. Candidates are chosen based on the extent to which the advisors meet the following criteria: credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative, active as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years, favorable regulatory and complaint history, fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards, accepting new clients, one and five year client retention rates, non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered, number of client households served, a FINRA registered representative, and education and professional designations.
Silverman is a founding partner at Silverman LeGate Advisory Group, a comprehensive wealth management firm providing innovative, strategic and comprehensive services to clients and their families. Services include goal setting, education planning, wealth management and enhancement, insurance protection, and taxes. Relationships come first at SLA Group; business is personal. Silverman said, “Our mission is to earn your trust and friendship while delivering our comprehensive financial services with the highest level of integrity and competence. We strive to help you make wise decisions with your money, pursue financial success, and seek personal significance, drawing on our 50-plus years of combined experience.
“As an independent advisor, we have the freedom to offer products and services that fit individual needs. We limit the number of people with whom we work to ensure we can provide you and your family with the time and attention you deserve.”
Silverman received his BBA accounting degree from University of Texas, Austin. He received his CPA designation in 1978 and CFP® in 1988. He achieved the LPL status of Chairman’s Council, 2001-2004 and 2008-2011, and LPL Executive Council status, 2005-2007. In 2006, he was chosen as one of the Best Financial Planners in Dallas by D Magazine. Passionate about community service, Silverman devotes much time to a variety of organizations including Temple Shalom Softball and the Dallas Maccabi Games.