Cantor Abrams holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a Master of Arts in Sacred Music and a Master of Arts in Jewish Education from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She has had previous experience as a student cantor at congregations in Ohio and in New Jersey while also gaining teaching experience in New York. Cantor Abrams has lived in California and New York, and is a world-wide traveler.

In addition to her cantorial responsibilities, Cantor Abrams will function as the Education Director of Congregation Ahavath Sholom’s Religious School. Cantor Abrams will begin her tenure at the synagogue on July 10th. President Marvin Beleck is excited about the new professional team, the future direction of Ahavath Sholom, and knows that the community will provide a warm Texas welcome to Cantor Abrams.

Our Congregational Picnic will be Sunday, May 20, at 1 PM. It will feature fun, food, and games, including 3-legged races.

Shavuot is the time of receiving of the Torah. Each year it is customary to try to duplicate some of the excitement and joy and once again re-discover our roots in the Torah. We study, discuss, debate and learn on all different levels, joining together as our ancestors did at Sinai.

Come and take part in any or all of this exciting approach to celebrating Shavuot on Saturday, May 26 starting at 8 PM. Refreshments will be served.

Shalom. I hope this message reaches you at a time of health and happiness.

I am thrilled to announce two very exciting developments for CAS and the general Jewish community as a whole.

The first concerns Mayor Betsy Price. While visiting our synagogue and participating in the CAS Chanukah lighting celebration Mayor Price mentioned to Bishop Vann and me the possibility of her forming a Mayor’s Faith Based Cabinet. Through Mayor Price’s vision for the moral foundation of our city and her commitment to religious pluralism this Faith Based Cabinet has come to fruition. It is my honor to have been appointed as the Jewish representative to this cabinet. We are planning to help enhance the city’s religious outreach and multi-cultural cooperation for the betterment of all of us in Fort Worth. I will keep you updated as to our work in the future. Should you have any faith based issues that you would like me to be conscious of, please feel free to contact me.

The second exciting development concerns the FWISD. A few months ago I reported on my upcoming meeting with Dr. Sylvia Reyna, Chief of Administration for FWISD. I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Reyna concerning the Jewish High Holidays and our students’ religious and cultural acceptance and understanding within the schools.

Dr. Reyna through her moral standing and commitment to religious diversity within our schools followed up on our meeting by addressing our concerns with the schools’ administrators.

Below you will find a memorandum that Dr. Reyna wrote to all principals and staff in our district. This letter is a great step forward for our community. Click here to read the memorandum.

May we all grow from strength to strength.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family and friends a Chag Kasher V’samech.

B’shalom and friendship,
Rabbi Andrew Bloom

This program is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County and the Dan Danciger/Fort Worth Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation.

Whatever your personal seder style, the Gift Shop at Congregation Ahavath Sholom has something for you. Our extended tax free day is Sunday, April 1, with special store hours of 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. (Shop will be closed during donor brunch, however.)