On Saturday, January 9, 2016, over 350 people joined together to celebrate Temple Shalom’s 50th Anniversary. This milestone event was an evening to remember. “The committee’s goal was to create an event that would be fun for everyone – we wanted to honor our founders while celebrating those who are following in their footsteps,” explained 50th Event Chair Kathryn Frish.
Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks while mingling with friends and taking photos in front of the larger than life Golden 50 in the entryway and then continued the fun at the high-tech photo kiosks. Finally, it was time for dinner.
The RadnitzSocial Hall was transformed into a room fit for royalty. Black fabric covered the tables and chairs and gold globes glowed on each table. The center stage held two grand pianos and the 3-tiered gold and black cake was almost too beautiful to cut! Guests enjoyed steak marsala and chicken piccata.
After dinner, it was time to honor Temple Shalom’s founders. This group of dedicated, passionate and very hard-working men and woman spent countless hours forming their new Temple 50 years ago. Thanks toBoard of Trustee Bernie Mayoff who conducted video interviews with the founders, they were able to share their vision and described in vivid detail and gracious humor what it took to bring their dream to life. After a standing ovation, the founders were called up to receive gifts of honor and then to cut the cake.
After many photos and well wishes it was time to celebrate. The dueling pianos and singers had the crowd on their feet after just one note. Guests danced and sang the night away to many popular favorites from the last five decades. The hard work and dedication of the Temple Shalom founders has truly paved the way for a vibrant, close-knit and fun loving congregation and the hard work of the 50th Gala Committee and so many volunteers helped to create an evening no one will ever forget.
"The gala was not just a fantastic party, but a fantastic celebration of the visionary founders of Temple Shalom, whose courage and conviction, determination and dedication to a vibrant Reform Jewish community 50 years ago, led to our wonderful congregation being a vibrant center for Jewish life in Dallas today. We are indebted to the founders for their efforts, and hope to make them proud every single day,” exclaimed Rabbi Andrew Paley.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration has been a year congregants will never forget. “We’ve had quite a year: we’ve scribed a Torah; gifted a Torah to a congregation in Brisbane, Australia; hosted a wonderful free concert, and now this Gala, which was the perfect celebration. I’m so proud to belong to a congregation where so many congregants pitch in to create a 12 month celebration,” said Temple Shalom President Dennis Eichelbaum.