EVENTS
What My Family Carried: Jewish American Stories of Survival, Memory and Responsibility
May 26, 2026
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May 26, 2026
6:30 PM
Every family carries something forward—sometimes in a suitcase, sometimes in a story, sometimes in a tradition that refuses to be forgotten.
We invite you to join us at the Aaron Family JCC for What My Family Carried: Jewish American Stories of Survival, Memory, and Responsibility, a powerful storytelling evening that centers the Jewish American experience as a foundation for understanding history, antisemitism, and the enduring moral imperative of remembrance.
During this intimate program, our guest speakers will share the personal objects, documents, and traditions their families brought with them to Dallas—and what survival, freedom, Jewish heritage, and justice have meant across generations. These are not only stories of the past, but living testaments to resilience, responsibility, and the choices we make today as inheritors of that legacy.
We are honored to feature the following speakers:
- Todd Polikoff, CEO, Aaron Family JCC
- Risa Gross, Senior Director of Impact and Agency Relations, DJCF
- Anjelica Ruiz, Director of Libraries and Archives, Temple Emanu-El
- Jo Reingold, President, DJHS Board of Directors
Together, they will help us reflect on what it means to remember—not only as an act of memory, but as a call to action.
This program is for anyone who has ever wondered how personal history shapes communal responsibility, or how the stories we carry can help build a more just future.
We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful evening of reflection, connection, and shared memory.
VIEW TRAILER
New Year Reset — 10-Day Challenge
Set Your Intention
Kavanah — intentional and focused awareness
Set 1 personal wellness goal: Drink more water, sleep 8 hours a night, take a walk daily.
Shana Tova to All
We are closed for this special day of the Jewish year—a meaningful time to spend in synagogue and at home with family.
Move Your Body
Tashlich — tradition of throwing away 'sins' (symbolized by bread crumbs) to prepare for the new year.
Attend a group fitness class or join a friend for a walk or workout! Dance, run, stretch—just get your body moving!
Hydration & Nutrition
Shmirat HaGuf — literally to care for your body.
Decide on your daily water intake goal (e.g., 64 oz or aiming to drink one more glass than usual for a week). Eat a healthy snack today, have it replace an unhealthy snack.
Digital Detox
Taharah — to cleanse and purify. This is usually about spirituality but today we do need to detox from our digital world.
Take a tech-free hour: no phone, no internet. Examples: read a book, journal, do a craft, walk and talk with a friend, take some mindfulness time.
Shana Tova to All
Shabbat — a day of rest is a true gift. We step back from doing to reflect.
Spend some time on yourself today; give time for your body and mind to rest.
Community & Connection
Kehillah — we live in community and recognize that we need others and are needed.
Check in with a friend; say hi to someone you’ve never met before.
Declutter & Organize
Teshuvah — to repent or to return and by returning to our better selves, we grow.
Dedicate one hour today to declutter and organize your spaces. Try to spend a little time each day to clean and declutter.
Nourish Your Mind
Limud — study and learning which is a key value to incorporate into our lives.
Do a self-guided meditation or breathing workshop.
Gratitude Practice
Hakarat Ha Tov — literally means 'recognizing the good'. To be truly grateful, we must recognize all that we have in our lives that we are thankful for.
Show your gratitude! To others, to yourself, to your body. Write down three things you're thankful for each day, let someone know how grateful you are to them.
Yom Kippur
We are closed for this most sacred day of the Jewish year. We fast, pray and reflect.
Celebrate Your Wins
Simchah — means joy & gladness but more deeply, it is about a feeling of well-being.
Reflect on your challenge: how did you do?! Journal your thoughts and feelings about it.
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