By Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharonw@texasjewishpost.com

Shalom firefighters, families, and volunteers

The Emergency Volunteers Project and the Israel Fire Services firefighter appreciation ceremony for Operation Protective Edge at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Arlington Fire Training Center, 5501 Ron McAndrews Blvd., Arlington.
Thirteen firefighters from the United States will be honored for their commitment to Israel by serving in Israel during Operation Protective Edge last year.
Their families who supported them during the deployment will be honored as well.
The community is invited to join in thanking them for their support of their Israeli brothers and sisters, and the people and State of Israel.
Special guests attending from Israel, will include members of the Israel Fire Services.
The firefighters that participated and their departments are: Battalion Chief Jeff Miller — Mesquite Fire Department, Firefighter Joe Baker — Mesquite Fire Department, Driver/Engineer Scott Harrell — Mesquite Fire Department, Fire Investigator Scott Schultes — New Paltz Fire Department, Chief Rick Nessner — Combine Fire Department, Specialist John Nickles — Austin Fire Rescue, Firefighter Bret Holland — Myrtle Beach Fire Department, Apparatus Operator Tony Santoro — Rockwall Fire Department, Firefighter Rimon Reshef — New Hyde Park Fire Department, Firefighter Ben Arnold — Los Angeles Fire Department, Firefighter Billy Hirth — Arlington Fire Rescue, Firefighter Robert Katz — Montgomery County Fire and Rescue and Firefighter Jason Goldstein — Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.
The event is free, but  please RSVP at http://conta.cc/1KYwHVJ/.

Up and coming at Beth El

Two exciting events are in store for the Fort Worth Jewish community.
On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Men of Reform Judaism at Beth El will host its annual  Matzo Ball Classic Golf Tournament. Tees off is 1 p.m., at Hawks Creek Golf  Club. This is the ninth year for the MRJ golf tournament. Ably co-chairing the event are Mike Kalpin and Jeff Kaitcer, who have  a great day planned for everyone.
Charlotte Ray tells me that in Oct. 30, Beth El will host a special Shabbat dinner, Cuisine of our Heritage. The evening begins at 5:45 p.m. with the blessings. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and Shabbat services followed by an Oneg begin at 7.
This new program was created by Beth Ell’s Lifetime Learning Committee and will feature a themed meal inspired by Jewish culture and tradition. The evening will showcase a menu of foods that are mentioned in the Torah. Chef Adam Siegel will supervise the MRJ as they prepare the dinner. Adult beverages will be available, but you can also feel free to bring your own drinks.
Cost is $8 per member and $12 per nonmember; after Oct. 28 the cots is $12 per member and $15 per nonmember.

Save the Date: Nov. 15

We have a detailed story planned in a few weeks for the Tarrant County Jewish Community’s a Time to Talk program, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, but I wanted you to make sure you have it on your calendar. Rabbis Andrew Bloom, Charlie Cytron-Walker, Geoffrey Dennis, Ralph Mecklenburger and Jordan Ottenstein and Cantor Sheri Allen, program chair, will address advance care planning within a Jewish context.
Also participating are Dr. Carole Rogers, Dr. Michael Korenman, Carol Sheidel, Karen Teschlow Johnson, Trey Harper and Sue Wallace. Cost for the event is $18 per person. The price increases to $25 per person after Nov. 9. Register for the event at http://www.tarrantfederation.org/advanced-care-planning.

Noted Israeli doctor to speak at TCU

TCU Hillel will host Dr. Rachel Adato at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Brown-Lupton University Union (BLUU). Adato will speak about Israel health care and Social Issues.
Rachel Adato is an Israeli doctor, lawyer, politician and former member of the Knesset for Kadima and Hatnuah between 2009 and 2013. Dr. Adato was the first female gynecologist in Jerusalem and practiced medicine for 12 years before moving to administrative hospital positions within Jerusalem. During her tenure in the Knesset, Adato was the chairperson of the Welfare and Health Committee, focusing mainly on public health care and women’s health.
Dr. Adato is a champion of healthy body image, having been vocal in Israel’s “Photoshop Law” which banned ads featuring underweight models and an outspoken advocate of provisions to make healthy food cheaper and more accessible. She has been instrumental in the administration of other health-related issues, including benefits for disabled veterans, health care for the elderly, and emergency hospital services.
TCU Hillel President Rachel Rudberg invites the entire community to attend. Co-sponsoring the event with Hillel are TCU’s Harris College and  Women and Genders Studies department.