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Program Series Celebrates Congregation's 18th Anniversary

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 23, 2008

BRANDON - The public is invited to a free Scholar in Residence Program featuring Rabbi Michael J. Cook at Congregation Beth Shalom, 706 Bryan Road, in honor of the congregation's 18th anniversary, called Chai. Cook is a professor of intertestamental and early Christian literature at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio

At 7:45 p.m. Friday, Sabbath services will include a presentation by Cook titled Jews, Jesus and Gospel Dynamics: Has Advice of Our Ancient Sages Ceased to Be Sage Advice?

At the Sabbath services and study program at 10 a.m. March 1, Cook will present The Talmud's Views on Jesus: Unraveling an Ancient Problem and Addressing its Modern Legacy.

At 7:30 p.m., a Havdalah service, which marks the end of the Sabbath, will feature Cook's discourse called Praying for and Preying on the Jews: Why is Florida the Capital of Messianic Judaism?

Guests are asked to bring a dessert to share. No reservations are needed. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, call Congregation Beth Shalom at (813) 681-6547.
Congregation Beth Shalom is the only Reform synagogue in Brandon and is growing, with members of diverse ages and backgrounds. For information about the synagogue, call (813) 681-6547 or visit www.bethshalom -brandon.org.

Local Students Win Teenz Ink Contest

TAMPA - Winners of the fifth annual Teenz Ink Contest have been announced by the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative and its co-sponsor, Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County.

In the high school age group, Daniel Willis, who is home-schooled, won first place for "Memories to Remember," and Sharon Baby of Tampa Bay Technical High School won second place for "I Must Feed My Mother."

Middle school winners were Sara Hetherington of Eisenhower Middle School in first place for "Once upon a Time," and second-place winner Stephanie Husley of Rodgers Middle School for "I Am Klutz."

The four 500- to 1,000-word essays included tales about a boy whose father goes off to war, a white elephant who takes care of his blind mother, writer-athletes who must jump higher than their competitors to pluck words out of the air and adolescents outgrowing awkwardness with the help of pet goldfish. They were judged for originality and creativity. First-place winners were given $100 Best Buy gift certificates. Second-place winners received $50 Barnes & Noble Booksellers gift cards.

To read the winning essays, visit www.hcplc.org.

Methodists Offer Close Encounters

BRANDON - The congregation of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church at 3315 Bryan Road invites the public to a presentation titled Close Encounters of the Jesus Kind during Lent, the liturgical season that gives Christians a chance to reflect, change their lives and be renewed, the Rev. Bob Gibbs' said in a recent church bulletin.

"We will be considering some of the people who encountered Jesus as he made his way to the cross. These encounters were not only important meetings with Jesus for those who experienced them, but they can also be meaningful points along the road for us," Gibbs said. "As we think about the people Jesus touched, healed, challenged and forgave, we think of ourselves in need of those same things."

Gibbs will speak about the extravagant woman Sunday, the disciple Judas on March 2, the disciple Peter on March 9 and the Roman governor Pilate on March 16. The same day, the music and worship arts team will present a dramatic musical called "For Such a One as This" at 7 p.m.

Registration for the 2008-09 St. Andrew's preschool program will be March 11 in Room 309 of the Family Life Center. The school offers a two- or three-day program for 3-year-olds and a five-day program for 4-year-olds. Call (813) 689-1207.

Jewelry Sale Benefits Brandon Chai Group

BRANDON - A free Jewelry Spectacular for friends and members of the Brandon Chai Group of Hadassah will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 2 at JB International Jewelers, 733 A W. Lumsden Road. On display will be Rolex and Omega watches, gemstones, diamonds, gold and other fine jewelry. Refreshments will be available. Ten percent of the sales will go to the Brandon Chai Group.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Janice Perelman at (813) 571-2029 or chinadolljp@verizon.net by Thursday.

Sorority Presents Bunco For Kids

BRANDON - Bunco for the Kids will be presented by the Kappa Kappa Chapter of the Kappa Delta Phi service sorority at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive. Co-chairwomen of the event are sorority sisters Claudia Yake and Nancy Kelley. Platinum Bank is the sponsor.

Tickets are $20 and are available at Center Place and from Yake at (813) 685-7998. The event will benefit charities that help children in the greater Brandon area.

Businesses and individuals are invited to donate door prizes. Call Susan Saunders at (813) 684-6703.

Have Lunch With Easter Bunny

BRANDON - Tickets are on sale for the annual lunch with the Easter Bunny at Center Place, this year to be held at 11 a.m. March 8. Center Place is at 619 Vonderburg Drive. The affair is being sponsored by the Brandon Newcomers Club and the Gift Shop at Center Place.

Lunch will be followed by utter mayhem as children compete in an egg hunt.

Tickets are $5 for members, $6 for all others. No tickets will be available the day of the event and must be purchased before the lunch at the Center Place office. Call (813) 685-8888.

Snippets

Congratulations to Matthew Parsons-Cohrs of Brandon, whose Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held Jan. 19.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay.rr .com or call (813) 657-4531.

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