JAFCO Board Member Deni Simon and husband Dr. Ron Simon (Board President), Event Sponsors Julie and Howard Talenfeld, JAFCO Adoptive Parent Darran Blake.
More than 100 children celebrated the Miracle of Hanukkah at the JAFCO (Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options) Village. Longtime supporters of the organization Howard and Julie Talenfeld sponsored the JAFCO Hanukkah party for the sixth consecutive year. Continue reading
Bonnie Cooper with her husband, Alan, and son, Corey, at WRJ-Sisterhood dinner/program in her honor.
Bernice Remmert with daughter Loretta Hardy, son Russ Remmert and son-in-law Bill Jackson
Bornblum Solomon Schechter Fifth Graders made special Chanukkiot for the holiday. Continue reading
Jonathan "J.C." Cohen
So many of the leaders of our URJ Camps are true products of URJ camping and NFTY. It is a source of great pride for our youth movement, which is why it is such a pleasure to honor Jonathan “J.C.” Cohen for his 20 years of service.
J.C. is a wonderful example of leadership, dedication, vision and commitment. As a kid Continue reading
Israeli Tennis Player Dudi Sela at the Regions-Morgan Keegan Tennis Championship - Photo Norman Gilbert Photography
Too bad he didn’t follow through with his plans. That symbolized one of the few times he was able to smile this week after he ran into a 6-4, 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany’s Benjamin Becker in first-round play. Continue reading
Dr. Isadore Lieberman in Uganda
Each year, Dallas resident Dr. Isadore “Izzy” Lieberman travels to Uganda for a medical mission. One of the rural communities he visits is Putti; a village comprised of about 200 individuals who practice Judaism and who speak English, Luganda and Hebrew.
The outpouring of gratitude and love showered on Dr. Lieberman and his team was captured on video at
2011 Doubles Team of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram
Because of the dedication of Israeli Tennis Centers (ITC) scattered throughout Israel, the team of Jonathan Erlich-Andy Ram is helping put Israel – although on a small scale – on the professional tennis map.
ITC, through its 14 centers, teaches tennis skills to children from all walks of life catering to 13,000 children each week, its Website reports.
During the 1970s and ‘80s donations from various Jewish communities from around the world helped bring these centers to every corner of Israel from Jerusalem to Haifa where Ram and Erlich attended, respectively. “It was the dream of Jewish communities around the world then to bring tennis to Israel,” Ram said.
Shahar Peer, Dudi Sela, Ram and Erlich are the country’s current stars, but names such as Amos Mansdorf, Shlomo Glickstein and Gilad Bloom paved the way.
The four current pros have become accustomed to their celebrity status. “There aren’t too many sportsmen or athletes in Israel so people know us,” Ram added. “There are a few Israelis doing well in sports, so if we do something good, the media writes about us.”
Both Ehrlich and Ram, who immigrated to Israel as youngsters, now stand as the nation’s No.1 doubles team. Known at home and around the tour as “AndiYoni” their benchmark moments on the tour thus far came at the 2008 Australian Open when they won the men’s doubles championship in straight sets over Arnaud Clement-Michael Llodra, 7-5, 7-6 (4). The pair also reached the quarterfinals in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Both highlights stand apart in their careers but neither, they say could’ve taken place without the support of their fans – in Europe but mainly those in the United States. “We see it at every tournament that we play in the states,” said Ram. “It’s a good feeling when we get support.”
Both started in singles play but have since moved over to the quicker pace of doubles competition. “It’s a completely different game,” Ram said. “Doubles is a more serve-volley game. It’s the same game but it’s a different game. You’ve got to believe in yourself; the more you practice the better you are and the better your reactions get.”
“We just decided to focus on our doubles,” said Erlich. “We play well together and we enjoy it.”
While they fared poorly in tour stops in Memphis and Delray Beach, both anticipate and look forward to their June 20 stop at Wimbledon.
Until then they hope their Jewish fans will continue to follow them on the road as they aim to climb the tennis rankings while in America.
“It’s a good feeling when we get support here and we feel like we’re a good representative of Israel as well,” said Ram. “We do it in pride, and we’ll definitely continue to strive for that.”
The "Dreidelettes" pose with Rabbi Shimon and Nadia Dudai at Congregation B'nai Zion's annual Chanukah party on December 25, 2011. B'nai Zion is the oldest and friendliest synagogue in South Florida! The "Dreidelettes" are Francine Kreinces, Karen Grant and Karen Leonard.
