Message from CEO and Federation Executive Vice President,
Gary Weinstein

It's now been one year since New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were devastated by flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Rebuilding a city after such extensive damage is not an easy task; a full recovery will take years.

In the media I keep hearing over and over about the breakdown in communication between FEMA and the affected areas that contributed to the difficulty in getting supplies and evacuation assistance that people so desperately needed during that time. (read more below...)

IN THIS ISSUE

Federation Events

• Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas Seeks Major Gifts Development Professional - Now
• Magic of Israel Community Mission - Information Session September 6
• Women's Cultural Arts Series - September 18

Community-Wide Events

• Latin/Jewish Israel Benefit Concert - September 3
• Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West - September 5, 6
• Judaism 101: Jewish Thought and Practice, an Introduction to Judaism - Beginning September 5
• Florence Melton Mini-School Adult Education Classes - Beginning September 5
• Levine Academy Holiday Series: Fall Holidays - A Forshpeiss (Appetizer) - September 7
• Jewish Studies Lecture at Southern Methodist University - September 12
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Lecture - September 13
• An Evening with Dr. M. Kafka, Director of Emergency Services at the Bnai Zion Medical Center - September 13
• Learn About Levine Academy Kindergarten - September 15
  Selichot Program: The Psychology of Forgiveness - September 16
• School is out - the J is in! - September 22, 25; October 3-6, 9

Federation Events:

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER DALLAS SEEKS MAJOR GIFTS DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL
Jewish Federation is looking for a fund-raising professional who will be working with prospective donors to cultivate and solicit major gifts for the annual campaign through ongoing contacts and activities that advance the donor development relationship. The successful applicant will be able to encourage donor involvement, and create an environment that attracts and keeps donors. Also responsible for coordinating the corporate sponsorship program for the campaign. Requirements are: bachelor's degree and minimum five years fundraising or related experience such as sales; track record of success in a position that required a high degree of interaction with donors or clients; broad knowledge of the agencies and institutions of the Dallas Jewish community; knowledge of Jewish issues; excellent oral and written communications skills; strong interpersonal skills; strong organizational skills, able to multi-task, prioritize work load and function independently; working knowledge of Microsoft Office products and some database experience preferred. Send resume with salary requirements to: Ilene Brill, employment@jfgd.org or fax to (214) 691-4894. (return to top)

MAGIC OF ISRAEL COMMUNITY MISSION
Information Session - September 6, 7:30 p.m.
Travel dates - February 11 - 20, 2007
The Jewish Federation invites you to be a part of its Magic of Israel Community Mission, chaired by Jim Hogue. More than just sightseeing, this mission is an insider's view of Israel today! Itinerary highlights include: meeting with government and military leaders; dining with IDF soldiers; seeing the ancient and new in cities including Akko, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv; a festive Shabbat in Jerusalem with Kabbalat Shabbat at the Western Wall; and much more. Cost per person is $2,750 and includes round trip coach airfare from Dallas to Tel Aviv, hotels, most meals, guides, gratuities and programs. Participants must make a minimum contribution or increase of $365 to the Federation's 2007 Annual Campaign. The next information session will be Wednesday, September 6 at the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, 7800 Northaven Road in Dallas. To R.S.V.P. or for more details, please contact Debbie Estrin at (214) 615-5226, destrin@jfgd.org. (return to top)

2006 CULTURAL ARTS SERIES
Monday, September 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The final lecture of the series will feature Dr. Rick Simas, director and professor of Musical Theater at San Diego State University. Dr. Simas' topic will be From Berlin to Brooks: How Jews Made Broadway, which examines the work of Broadway's great Jewish composers and lyricists and how they made the Broadway musical into America's most unique art form. Cost to attend the series is $36. For more information or to register, contact Melinda Kollinger at (214) 615-5233 or mkollinger@jfgd.org. (return to top)

Community-Wide Events

LATIN/JEWISH ISRAEL BENEFIT CONCERT
Sunday, September 3, 2 p.m.
Chabad of Dallas is proud to present a concert benefiting Israel for the entire Dallas Jewish community: Yehuda Glantz live at the Eisemann! This Latin/Israeli musician blends Chassidic melodies with rock and Latin beats to create a stunning performance filled with a pulsating energy like you have never experienced before. Young and old alike will enjoy this amazing Jewish musical experience. The concert will take place at the Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive in Richardson. Tickets are now on sale at Chabadofdallas.com or Eisemanncenter.com. The concert is a benefit for victims of the war in Nahariya. Tickets range from $15 to $180. For more information, contact Zvi Drizin at Chabad of Dallas at (972) 818-0770.
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OBSESSION: RADICAL ISLAM'S WAR AGAINST THE WEST
Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 6, 7:30 p.m.
Using real images from Arab TV, Obsession reveals an insider's view to the hatred the radicals are teaching. Includes interviews from Sir Martin Gilbert, Alan Dershowitz and Daniel Pipes. Each showing of the film will conclude with an opportunity to support the Federation's Israel Crisis Fund. Tuesday's showing will take place at the Angelika Film Center at The Shops at Legacy, 7205 Bishop Rd. in Plano. Wednesday's showing will take place at the Angelika Film Center at 5321 E. Mockingbird St. in Dallas. Cost to attend the screening is $8 for pre-registered tickets, $13 at the door(return to top). These events are hosted by DATA, Anti-Defamation League and B'nai B'rith International. For more information, contact DATA at (214) 987-3282.
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JUDAISM 101: JEWISH THOUGHT AND PRACTICE, AN INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
Tuesdays, beginning September 5, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
This class is an informal, weekly get-together with Rabbi Paul Steinberg to explore and discuss Jewish life and traditions. The text, Tapestry of Jewish Time, will guide the discussion, touching upon Jewish life cycles, holidays, beliefs, and practices. The first session includes lunch. Cost to attend the session is $24.95, the price of the textbook. The class will be held at the Ann and Nate Levine Academy, 18011 Hillcrest Rd. in Dallas. For more information, contact Wende Weinberg, program director at wweinberg@levineacademy.org or 972-248-3032, ext. 139. (return to top)

FLORENCE MELTON ADULT MINI-SCHOOL ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES
Beginning September 5
Clear your calendar two hours a week for 30 weeks and get to the core of the characters. At Melton, you'll study history, holidays, ethics, literature and so much more. Whether you're starting from scratch or are a life-long learner, you'll discover a class of independent, creative thinkers studying from a pluralistic point of view. Classes begin September 5. Enroll now, because classes are filling quickly. To learn more about Melton classes, you can view the program guide at the JCC Web site or contact Annie Glickman at (214) 239-7140 or aglickman@jccdallas.org. To learn more about the Gesher Graduate program, contact Rachelle Weiss Crane at (214) 239-7128 or rweisscrane@jccdallas.org. (return to top)

LEVINE ACADEMY HOLIDAY SERIES: FALL HOLIDAYS - A FORSHPEISS (APPETIZER)
Thursday, September 7, 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Learn how to personalize the fall holidays. Class is taught by Mr. Fred Nathan, head of school, and members of the Levine Academy faculty. This class is free to the public and will be held at the Ann & Nate Levine Academy 18011 Hillcrest Rd., in Dallas. For more information, contact Wende Weinberg, program director at wweinberg@levineacademy.org or call (972) 248-3032, ext. 139. (return to top)

JEWISH STUDIES LECTURE AT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Tuesday, September 12, 8 p.m.
Professor Michael Cook of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati will deliver the inaugural Nate and Ann Levine Endowed Lecture in Jewish Studies on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 8 p.m. in the Walsh Classroom (Room 125) in the Underwood Law Library along Hillcrest Avenue in the northwest corner of the SMU campus. The title of the lecture is Jews, Jesus, and Gospel Dynamics: Reversing Intentional Ignorance. The lecture is free and open to the public. Most SMU surface parking lots are open to the general public after 7 p.m. For additional information, contact Dr. Richard Cogley, chair, department of Religious Studies, (214) 768-2095. (return to top)

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM LECTURE
Wednesday, September 13, 7 p.m.
More than 60 years after the Holocaust, anti-semitism still plagues the world. Come hear historian Daniel Green discuss the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's efforts to educate Jews and non-Jews about contemporary anti-semitism. The event is free of charge, but advance registration is required as space is limited. The lecture will be held at Congregation Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Avenue, in Dallas. This program has been made possible by the 2006 Dallas Initiative on Holocaust Education. For more information and to register, contact Melissa Rubenstein at (202) 488-6143 or mrubenstein@ushmm.org. (return to top)

AN EVENING WITH DR. M. KAFKA, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AT THE BNAI ZION MEDICAL CENTER
Wednesday, September 13, 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, September 13, Bnai Zion is bringing to Dallas Dr. Michael Kafka, head of the emergency services at the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa. The Medical Center is the fourth most popular hospital in Israel and is caring for a great many of the victims of the rocket attacks coming from Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. Dr. Kafka will give an up-to-date, front line view of the current situation in Haifa. A commitment of $500 is requested to attend this event in a private home. All funds raised at this event go directly to the hospital. For more information, contact Bnai Zion at (972) 918-9200 or bnaiziondallas@xspedius.net. (return to top)

LEARN ABOUT LEVINE ACADEMY KINDERGARTEN
Friday, September 15, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Come hear a panel discussion on what makes Levine Academy the right school for your child. Learn about their Kindergarten's secular and Jewish studies curriculum, the Challenge and Discovery Center, individual learning plans and the sports, drama, music and art programs. There is no cost to attend this event, which will be held at the Ann & Nate Levine Academy, 18011 Hillcrest Road in Dallas. For more information, contact Anna Popp, Admissions director at apopp@levineacademy.org or (972)248-3032, ext. 138.
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SELICHOT PROGRAM: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FORGIVENESS
Saturday, September 16, 8:30 p.m.
This year's Selichot service will be moderated by Rabbi Raskin and will feature mental health experts Drs. Orna Daniel Goldwater, Alan Koenigsberg and Mark Schorr. The topic will be the power of forgiveness in our lives. Is the need to forgive as important as the need to be forgiven? This beautiful penetrating service initiates the final approach to the High Holiday season. Through song, meditation and prayer you begin to feel the power of t'shuvah (repentance) and its transformative effects. Central to this dramatic service is the change of the synagogue's aesthetic, the Torah mantles are changed from their colorful decor to the symbolic white of the High Holiday season. Come out for what is sure to be a fascinating evening. This service will be held at Congregation Beth Torah, 720 Lookout Drive in Richardson. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call the synagogue at (972) 234-2136 ext. 221. (return to top)

SCHOOL IS OUT - THE J IS IN!
Friday, September 22; Monday, September 25; Tuesday, October 3 through Friday, October 6; Monday, October 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Catch the camp spirit all year long at the J! When school is out, the J is in. Swim in the indoor pool, create great crafts, shoot hoops in the gym and hang with friends. This program is for children in grades one through six. Cost to attend is $25 for J members, $37.50 for non-members. Before and aftercare is available as well: $10 for J members and $15 for non-members. All programs will take place at the J, 7900 Northaven Road, in Dallas. For more information, contact Laura Seymour at (214) 239-7110 or e-mail lseymour@jccdallas.org. (return to top)

Message from CEO & Executive Vice President Gary Weinstein, continued...
Then I look at our organization, a part of a network of Jewish Federations around the nation in partnership with international agencies who have proven time and time again that they can mobilize quickly, raise needed funds and give assistance to those who need it the most.

This is the power of federated giving.

Of the $141,000 that we raised for Hurricane Katrina relief, $79,500 was allocated locally (to Jewish Family Service and the Dallas Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund) to address the needs of individuals and families transplanted to our community from flood-ravaged areas.

Our partnership with United Jewish Communities (UJC) resulted in an additional $250,000 direct contribution to the Mayor's Fund. The remaining $68,500 from our Fund was allocated directly to the Jewish Federation of New Orleans, the JCC of New Orleans, and the Jewish Children's Regional Service. The remaining $10,000 went to UJC to contribute to overall relief efforts in the area.

Once again this July, the efficiency of the Federated system was put into action in response to the Israel - Hezbollah conflict. When Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked for emergency assistance, both UJC and JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) sprung into action. Federations around the nation, including ours, quickly raised funds to support children and families displaced from the conflict and to send much needed supplies to damaged areas.

To date our Greater Dallas community has raised an amazing $1.8 million for the Israel Crisis Fund, 100% of which goes directly to Israel for community rebuilding and relief. That puts us just about at the half-way point to our $3.8 million goal to contribute to the overall $350 million that the 155 Jewish Federations around the nation have committed to raise.

There are many other ways you can support Israel as well: attend local rallies; send a message of solidarity to patients at the Western Galilee Hospital in our Partnership region in Nahariya; buy Israeli products; write letters of support in Israel's right to defend itself and send them to your congressperson, to the White House or to the United Nations; keep yourself educated about Israel and the Middle East; sign a petition of solidarity; and most importantly, travel to Israel.

That's right, I'm going to mention it again - our Magic of Israel Community Mission, February 11- 20, 2007. Our last information session will take place on Wednesday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Federation. The deadline for applications is November 6, so if you can't make it to the information session, you can call the Federation (follow the link above for contact information), and we'll answer any questions you have.

I'm proud to be a part of the Greater Dallas Jewish community, and I thank each of you for your continued generosity and support during these difficult times.

Gary
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas does not necessarily endorse
any viewpoints expressed in the programs or events listed in this bi-weekly
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