With Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton Jewish Observer

The city of Centerville proclaimed Feb. 21 as Ira Segalewitz Day, in honor of his 80th birthday. The proclamation cited the Holocaust survivor’s contributions as a volunteer with Temple Beth Or, as a docent at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Prejudice and Memory Holocaust Exhibit, his service in the Korean War, as a VA volunteer, and his service as an usher at the Victoria Theatre. The proclamation also mentioned that Ira has traveled far and wide, enjoying visits to many presidential libraries, with the intention of visiting them all.

Jeremy Bettman, son of Jean and Todd Bettman; Deborah Liberman, daughter Ann and Scott Liberman; and Nelly Rose, daughter of Christine Rose Rudwall, and Stuart and Mimi Rose; all participated in the BBYO International Convention in Baltimore, Feb. 11-15, along with approximately 2,500 Jewish teens from 27 countries. Through social media, Todd Bettman found out that six of his friends — all former BBYOers originally from Dayton — had kids who were also at the convention. The parents arranged for their kids to get together one morning during the convention. Few of the kids knew each other or about their Dayton connection before their parents got involved. Two of the girls had randomly been selected to room together, and only discovered the connection when they arrived at the meet-up.

Dayton BBYO alumni will come together for a reunion June 23-26, coordinated by Leslie Goldberg Zimmer. Participants will attend Beth Abraham Synagogue’s Friday night Shabbat service, will gather at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education in Centerville on Saturday for a dance and recollections, and will return to the Boonshoft CJCE on Sunday for a picnic, “laughter yoga,” a ball game, and friendship circles. Alumni from all years are invited, and current Dayton and Columbus BBYOers will join the reunion too. For more information and to help locate missing alumni for the reunion, contact Leslie Goldberg Zimmer at 310-625-1833.

Dr. David Novick’s practice, Digestive Specialists, raised funds for the nonprofit Pencils Of Promise to build a school in Guatemala in an area where none existed previously. The practice exceeded its goal of $25,000, raising $26,571.

Hillel Academy was featured as part of Temple Israel’s Ryterband Lecture Series on March 13. Co-Principals Dr. Kathy and Dan Mecoli and fourth and fifth graders presented the session, Teaching Jewish Values for the 21st Century: A Project-Based Approach. In line with Hillel’s philosophy that students need to be able to demonstrate the skills and concepts they discover in the classroom, the students shared examples of how projects develop and reflect Jewish values. The student presenters were Antonio Fuenzalida, son of Fran Angerer-Fuenzalida and Hernan Fuenzalida; Ezra German, son of Teri and Dr. Dan German; Lucie Jacobs, daughter of Dr. Cassie Milling-Jacobs and Dr. Brad Jacobs; Schneur Mangel, son of Devorah and Rabbi Nochum Mangel; Benji Ray, son of Dr. Keren Ray and Dr. Patrick Ray; Judah Schwartz, son of Pamela and Andrew Schwartz; and Menachem Simon, son of Rochel and Rabbi Levi Simon.

Attorney Cherish Cronmiller has been named vice president and COO of the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area. Previously she served as compliance officer/director of resource development for the Community Action Partnership, which aims to eliminate poverty and promote self-sufficiency through programs and services for individuals and families in the Miami Valley.

Ann Berger is chair of the chefs committee for the Sixth Annual Doors of Compassion fund-raiser on May 7 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Doors of Compassion begins with dinners prepared by chefs and served in private residences across the area. Following dinner, participants come together for an after party with live music, a silent auction, and desserts, at a location kept secret until that evening’s dinner. Joining Ann on the chefs committee are Beth Adelman, Lauren Baumgarten, and Katie Gottesman. Erv Pavlofsky of ProduceOne will provide greens for the event, and home hosts will include Marilyn and Larry Klaben, and Debbie and Bruce Feldman, who will offer a kosher dinner.

Send your Kvelling items to Rachel Haug Gilbert at kvellingcorner@gmail.com.

To read the complete April 2016 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.