CommunityPage 12Jewish herald-Voice

March 10, 2016

On Sunday, April 10, Robert M. Beren Academy will host its bi-annual gala, Beren Carnaval: Unmask the Beauty of Jewish Education. Funds raised will provide scholar-ships for those in need. In keeping with the endeavor of providing every Jewish child a Jewish education, RMBA has dedicated more than $1.6 million for financial aid, benefiting close to 60 percent of its students.

At this 46th anniversary gala, RMBA will honor Rick Guttman and Robert Levy with the Dena and Baruch Brody Community Leadership Award.

Guttman continues to be a beacon of commitment as a leader and parent at RMBA. He first joined the executive board in 2000 and since has served in a multitude of capacities, including vice president of facilities and fundraising and as board resident.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Guttman has made Houston his home, creating successful businesses and serving as a member of the Jewish community. He is active at Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, serving on the board and committees, in addition to United Orthodox Synagogues, where he serves as board president. Guttman is owner of Ibiza Enterprises and Dakota Property Management.

Guttman and his wife, Dorit, both UT alums, have raised three children who have attended RMBA: Jacqueline (’09 class), Ahron (’12 class) and Shayna (’16 class).

Guttman said, “RMBA is as much a part of my adult life as any other component, and its values and teachings are what inspire and underlie the future generations of Jewish children.”

Levy is equally integral to the growth of RMBA and began his service as a board member in 1998, working with seven presi-dents before assuming the presidency. Levy acts as legal counsel for consul-tation to the board of directors and head of school.

He was instrumental in the sale of the old school building, paving the way to today’s 52-acre campus.

Levy and his wife, Barbara, met on a Jewish Federation mission trip to Israel in 1990. They are parents to RMBA alums Avishai (’10 class), Eliana (’12 class), Mecah (’15 class) and Akiva (’18 class). Their niece, Rachael, who lived with them for seven years, graduated from RMBA.

Levy is active in the community and has served on the board of directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, the UOS board and executive committee and the Houston Bar’s Special Olympics Committee. Levy has been a Texas Bar member since 1986, after graduation from the University of Texas School of Law.

Since 2009, he has worked for ExxonMobil and serves as counsel for Civil Justice Reform and Law Technology.

Levy was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and is a seventh-generation Texan on his father’s side.

Levy and Guttman have served and mentored each other for nearly 20 years.

RMBA will present the June and Leonard Goldberg Teacher of the Year Award to Chris Cole, who became director of the Upper School Athletics program in August 2003. Cole brings passion and commitment to the Academy and has led the sports teams through many impressive seasons.

Cole said, “I feel an immense sense of pride when I am often told by fellow coaches the incredible amount of disci-pline my students possess, as well as their general positive attitude and good behavior, regardless of the outcome.”

The Distinguished Alumna Award recipient will be Laura Mitzner Paletz (’08). She has mentored the drama program, directed school plays and, with her husband Steven, mentors the Model UN program run by Yeshiva University, their alma mater.

Paletz said, “RMBA shaped me into the individual I am today. Being recognized for giving back for the opportunities that were given to me as a student is something I never expected, but am honored all the same.”

Paletz is director of Design and Construction for RIDA Development, her family’s commercial real estate business.

The Beren Carnaval is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, at 5 p.m., at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston. Gala co-chairs are Danielle Buks, Elena Diner, Melany Ghelman and Tania Levenstein. The community is invited to attend.

For more information about the gala or supporting Jewish education in Houston, contact Leigh Levine, 713-723-7170, ext. 231, or llevine@berenacademy.org.

Beren Academy to celebrate 46th-anniversary gala

“That was so cool to see my picture as the topping on a delicious cupcake,” said Neville Karpas, a JFS Disability Services’ photographer, during a recent luncheon honoring the artists and photographers of The Center For Art and Photography of Celebration Company. The luncheon, sponsored by Debra and Steve Cohen, Sandi Wolf and Elaine Helfman, featured 11 photographers from Celebration Company and professional photographer, Frank White, who worked with the CC photographers in his studio, teaching them about lighting and shadows. The center is a new addition to Celebration Company, a social entrepre-neurial program for adults with disabilities.

“The luncheon, ReelArt, was part of the kick-off events for the 2016 ReelAbilities Film and Art Festival that took place in Houston Feb. 14 -18. We are grateful to the hostesses and the more than 75 guests who attended this elegant luncheon that honored, recog-nized and supported this new Celebration Company program. The participants appre-ciated the support of everyone, and it makes them feel good that others appreciate their work. … it gives them a real sense of pride,” said Jamie Weiner, LMSW, director of Celebration Company.

The program included a presentation by White, a well-known photographer within the art community. The CC photog-raphers recently had visited his studio, where he guided the taking of photos that had a personal meaning to each photog-rapher. White talked about how he enjoyed mentoring these photographers.

Since 2013, as part of ReelAbilities when

a filmmaker taught the participants how to use adaptive cameras, the photography program was established. Now, photo shoots are a weekly activity at CC .

“With this fresh view through the lens, CC photographers share their worldview with zest, enthusiasm and the joy of discovery,” said Weiner.

A special feature of the luncheon was the presentation to each guest of a cupcake topped with a photographic presentation of the artists’ works made out of frosting. Seeing the photography on the wall and on the cupcakes delighted everyone. Cupcakes were donated by Three Brothers Bakery, which has a special relationship with Celebration Company participants who put together the bakery’s boxes in which its cakes, pies and cookies are packed.

Along with Weiner, those at CC who helped work with the participants on the ReelArt luncheon were Samara Rosen, MFA, CC art director; Mallory Balkin, LMSW, CC assistant director; and Terri Higgins, mother of CC participant and CC volunteer. The luncheon was held at the Nicole Longnecker Gallery.

Photography tops the (cup)cake at ReelArt luncheon

Guests Fredda Friedlander and Jamie Wolf with Debra G. Cohen

Frank White shows one of the photos taken by Celebration Company participants.

Cupcake topping from one of Celebration Company’s participant photos.

Rick Guttman Robert Levy

Laura Mitzner Paletz Chris Cole

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