In the Swag Two Former Campers Set Kids up for Stylish Summers, Pp.8-9
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INSIDE Subscribe today! [email protected] Quick Look 4 Sports A great day 6 Dallas Doings 7 Around the Town for seniors 8-14 Youth Legacy Midtown Park opens 15 Book Review / Simcha Aaron Independent Living 16-17 Columnists 19 towers, p.5 Obituaries 20 Jewish Foodie Thursday, February 4, 2021 • 22 Shevat 5781 • VOLUME 75 NO. 5 • tjpnews.com $1.00 In the Swag Two former campers set kids up for stylish summers, pp.8-9 Photo: Courtesy Camp Swag From left, Reese Cohen, Natalie and Sophie Rubin, Jessica and Samantha Gold model some of the more than 2,000 masks that Camp Swag has sold in the last year. Light Shabbat candles: JEWISH FOODIE: GAME DAY 5:43 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 Souper bowls for the Super Bowl, p.20 Shabbat ends: 6:53 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 2 | February 4, 2021 CBT honors Korman family for inclusion work By Daniela Appel in synagogue life more accessible to bathrooms in order to make the February is Jewish Disability members of the community who synagogue more easily accessible. Awareness, Acceptance and have various disabilities. “The membership has embraced Inclusion Month, and Congregation Almost six years ago, Zelene the idea of meeting people where Beth Torah (CBT) plans to once Lovitt spearheaded Beth Torah’s they are and removing the barriers again celebrate with its annual efforts to become an inclusive to synagogue membership,” said Inclusion Shabbat on Feb. 13. The environment for the community Lovitt. “And that’s the message — to congregation traditionally invites through United Synagogue of remove barriers,” she continued. Chai House residents to take part in Conservative Judaism’s Inclusion Though Beth Torah’s Inclusion Shabbat services and Kiddush lunch Initiative. CBT was one of the Initiative is still relatively new, with a congregational buddy. Due to original 16 congregations in North inclusion has been a longtime value the ongoing pandemic, services will America accepted by USCJ. Started of the congregation. No family be held virtually this year, but as in by Lovitt, the Inclusion Committee is more appreciative of that than years past, the Inclusion Shabbat will at Beth Torah has grown to more the Kormans, whose son Jacob is mean taking time to “recognize those than 20 members of both disabled a person with a disability himself. in our community who have been and non-disabled members of When they moved to Dallas in the working hard to make Beth Torah the community. The committee 1980s, Sarah and Ira struggled to find a welcoming place for everyone,” has effectuated improvements to a school that could provide a Jewish says Rabbi Elana Zelony. Inclusion the synagogue such as large print education to Jacob. CBT accepted Photo: Courtesy x Shabbat is an event planned by prayer books, an automatic door, an the Kormans with open arms. The The Korman family — Sarah, Ira and their son Jacob — have been instrumental Beth Torah’s Inclusion Committee, outdoor ramp, railings leading up to synagogue helped Jacob prepare for to Congregation Beth Torah’s efforts to become an inclusive environment. The congregation will honor them at a special Shabbat Feb. 13. which aims to make participating the bima, and handicap-accessible his bar mitzvah, matching him with a tutor Sarah calls a “perfect match” learning center and has given lectures something we ever considered,” said COVID-19 may present diffi cult circumstances for your loved one and Jacob proudly declares he is still sharing the stories of her parents who Ira. “It’s an appreciation for what Apple Care & Companion is here for you “good friends” with. are both Holocaust survivors, among we have contributed, but we’ve only “In 1984, acceptance of people many other roles at the synagogue. been able to contribute (because of with disabilities was not universal. Ira, who has a doctorate in psychology everyone else on the committee); Short-term or long-term We had a difficult time finding a and has done consulting around everyone’s name deserves to be on • Personal Care synagogue to educate Jacob. Beth the country, gives presentations on it,” he added. • Companionship Torah appealed to us not only topics such as communication, grief, CBT aims to foster an • Overnight Stays because they accepted Jacob, but resiliency, and the healthcare system. environment of inclusivity, where (also) since then, has had a unique Jacob is skilled with technology, all are welcome. “Our congregation We have incorporated Laurie Friedman Miller, Owner attitude toward people less fortunate helping facilitate the synagogue’s live is kind to one another and cares for enhanced protocols to ensure 469-619-5474 the safety of our clients AppleCareandCompanion.com and those with disabilities,” streamed services. one another. It’s comfortable and said Sarah. “I think that was the The Kormans have been accepting. Inclusion Committee underlying motivation to join the invaluable members of Beth Torah, continues to strengthen that synagogue and to stay involved and and to honor their contributions, whole idea. There aren’t that many provide for the next generation,” she the Inclusion Committee voted synagogues doing what we are, and continued. unanimously to rename the it’s primarily because of Zelene. She The Kormans are integral Inclusion Fund after their family. started it and has made it stronger,” members of the Inclusion Committee “We were totally surprised when said Sarah. “We are just part of a and of the CBT community. Sarah (Zelene) contacted us to rename the group who care about others and we has also served as a teacher at the Inclusion Fund after our family. Not feel fortunate to be a part.” Jewish Disability Awareness Acceptance & Inclusion Month events activities JFNA programming jewishtogether.org/JDAM to access raising children society deems the list of webinars. “abnormal.” Tracing their joys, The Jewish Federations of North challenges, tragedies, and triumphs, America (JFNA) is hosting a full Movie Night with the Special Far From the Tree invites viewers to month of FREE virtual education, Needs Partnership rethink what it means to be a “normal awareness and empowerment Monday, Feb. 8 family.” opportunities in support of people 8–9 p.m. The movie can be found on Hulu with disabilities through JFNA RSVP for Movie Discussion and can be viewed via subscription or programming. There are 15 different ‘Far From The Tree’ free trial. webinars to choose from at a variety of This year’s SNP Movie Night will different days and times throughout PERK Meetings be book-club style! Watch “Far From the month. Hear from thought leaders The Tree” on your own time before The endeavor of Parents and experts about the current state of EXCEPTIONAL SCRUBS Feb. 8, then join a live discussion of Empowered Raising Kids (PERK) is to disability rights, and what can be done the movie over Zoom, facilitated create social and support connections to promote the best inclusion and 20% OFF RETAIL by members of the Jewish Family between adults who are raising supportive care practices. Learn new TJP SUBSCRIBERS Service Special Needs Partnership children with special needs. PERK advocacy strategies and take action CALL ALAYNA 214-231-2581 CODE: NALA Committee. events are facilitated by professionals to put the needs and rights of people Based on The New York Times from the JFS Special Needs Resource with disabilities squarely on the policy AS SEEN ON bestseller by Andrew Solomon, Team and are designed to give parents agenda of the Biden administration Facebook @MedCoutureInc “Far From the Tree” is an intimate, tools and support for everyday and the 117th Congress. Instagram @MedCouture profoundly human look at families challenges. Register at https://www. February 4, 2021 | 3 Loneliness — How to Help Our Special Needs Shabbat ADHD Workshop Strengthening Student in play therapy, assessment, and Children Make Friends Saturday, Feb. 13 Wednesday, Feb. 17 Engagement: Ways to Reduce counselor education/supervision. Thursday, Feb. 11 9:30 a.m.–Noon 8–9 p.m. Stress and Build Connections Virtual Faith Inclusion Network 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 Join Congregation Beth Torah An ADHD diagnosis is not a life- Conference Released at 6 p.m. Children with special needs as they host an Inclusive Shabbat, sentence! During this session, Hilary Friday, Feb. 26 often feel socially isolated and have at which time the Korman Family Stern will help parents identify Engaging students who are miles 8 a.m.–2 p.m. difficulty making friends with — Sarah, Ira and Jacob — will be ways to make living with a child away necessitates a new set of teaching One of the biggest challenges and peers. But they shouldn’t have to recognized for their consistent and with ADHD or ADHD symptoms strategies requiring teachers to adapt needs for individuals and families feel hopeless about making friends. devoted support of Congregation more manageable and enjoyable to a host of exhausting new challenges. affected by disability is finding Join us in exploring ways that we as Beth Torah inclusion efforts. The CBT for everyone in the household, This presentation will explore inclusive, strong communities parents can help our children enjoy Inclusion Fund has been renamed the while also raising awareness and strategies to strengthen student where they can belong and thrive. others and make friends. Korman Family Inclusion Fund in dispelling myths about the disorder. engagement as well as suggestions Please join the Faith Inclusion Speaker: Janet Henson their honor. Participants will walk away with an for reducing teacher and student Network community as we come Janet Henson is a licensed You can also tune in to any in-depth understanding of ADHD stress that may be exacerbating the together to learn how to strengthen clinician with Jewish Family Service Shabbat in the month of February and tips and tools that can be easily challenges of distance learning and communities in congregations, specializing in teenagers and young to hear Inclusion Bytes, short videos implemented.