By NANCY PATRICK Norma Jean Crossed the railroad tracks Lookin’ for her daddy— Found him in the bar; “Come home, Daddy,” she said again. Car in the lane Who’s that lady in the car? Daddy yells at Momma. Momma cries again. Playin’ in the tree. Daddy’d said “don’t.” Fell out and cracked her arm. Daddy said, “damn” again. Daddy’s real
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By MONICA J. O’DESKY Hanukkah was a mixed bag in our house as it is in many households. I don’t think anyone in the family really knew what we were celebrating and, most likely, if not for the proximity to Christmas, probably would not be having a Hanukkah celebration at all. It wasn’t until I was much older that I
Read moreCantor Monica O’Desky will lead a Hanukkah service Friday, Dec. 7, at Temple Mizpah, 849 Chestnut St. A dinner will begin at 6 p.m., with services to follow at 7. Cost for the dinner is $5. Call 572-3037 for reservations. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights that begins at sundown on the first day, which this year falls
Read moreCantor Monica O’Desky will lead a Hanukkah service Friday, Dec. 7, at Temple Mizpah, 849 Chestnut St. A dinner will begin at 6 p.m., with services to follow at 7. Cost for the dinner is $5. Call 572-3037 for reservations. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival of lights that begins at sundown on the first day, which this year falls
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Saturday, Oct. 27, was an ugly day. Eleven people who were worshipping at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue were murdered by a gunman whose hatred of Jews suddenly turned deadly. In Abilene, far from Pittsburgh, there were reminders that total strangers mourned alongside the loved ones of the victims and other Jews in Pittsburgh. Paul Cornelius,
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By MONICA J. O’DESKY I was conducting Torah study in Waco, Texas, when one of the participants received a news flash on his phone. There was a shooting in a synagogue in Pittsburgh. We all stopped to catch our breath for a minute. As details came out, we looked around at each other. There were maybe 15 of us in
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Prayers said and sung, poems, including one that traveled to the moon, the beating of a Native American drum, and a ceremony of “breaking bread together in peace” added to the mosaic of the National Day of Prayer Service sponsored by the Abilene Interfaith Council. The service was held at noon Thursday at the Center for
Read moreAn evening at the Paramount Theater, with a guest speaker, dramatic presentation, and special music, will open the new Miracle of Israel Exhibit at the Discovery Center. The Paramount event will begin at 7 p.m. May 14. The following day, the new exhibit, with its own building, will open to the public at the Discovery Center, located at South Eighth
Read moreBy Loretta Fulton Jewish immigrants were more than welcomed in West Texas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries–even if their religion was a mystery to most. A story in the Ballinger Ledger in 1911 explained, sort of, why a store in town would be closing on a Saturday. The real reason was that the owner was Jewish and
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Spirit Of Abilene 