CEO Column: July 2023 Jewish Outlook
This Summer Brings a Season of Growth, Connection and Transition
We are already approaching mid-summer, and camp season is fully underway. Overnight camp is off to a great start at Camp Young Judaea, Greene Family Camp and many other Jewish camps throughout North America, where many of our youth, teens, college students, community members and professionals will participate throughout the summer. This is our largest camp season in Shalom Austin history, as JCamps is experiencing sold out sessions. I do not have to convince you how critical Jewish summer camps are to building strong Jewish identities connected to Jewish peoplehood. Our community should be proud of how many of our youth and teens attend summer camps on an annual basis. The camps complement and align with the incredible work that our Jewish institutions do throughout the school year.
Summer is also a time of transitions. We congratulate Rabbi Alan Freedman, a dear friend and colleague, for his retirement from Temple Beth Shalom. Rabbi Freedman has been such an important community leader, and we look forward to his continued involvement in the greater Austin Jewish community. We wish Rabbi Eleanor Steinman a mazel tov for beginning her tenure as senior rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom. Rabbi Steinman will be adding a new member to her clergy team, Rabbi Will Hall, as assistant rabbi. Rabbi Will Hall served as rabbi and senior educator at Texas Hillel for the past two years before joining Temple Beth Shalom.
Speaking of Texas Hillel, we congratulate Cheryl Hersh for successfully leading Texas Hillel as the interim executive director. Rabbi Stephanie Max is beginning her tenure as Texas Hillel’s new executive director. Rabbi Max is joined by Rabbi Andy Weissfeld who will be succeeding Rabbi Will Hall as the new rabbi and senior educator. Austin Jewish Academy (AJA) welcomed Kari Loya as their interim head of school. Kari brings a wealth of experience to AJA. Heather Kantrowitz, who served as acting head of school for the 2022-2023 school-year, will continue as the director of Jewish studies.
Finally, in this issue, you will have an opportunity to reflect on the incredible 75th anniversary Israel celebration that took place on the campus with over 1,000 people in attendance. We also look forward to the many other ways we are celebrating this incredible milestone, including the first ever community mission trip to Israel in November. As you will read, our community continues to invest in ways to connect our community to Israel and the Jewish people, thanks to the leadership of the newly established Israel and peoplehood committee.
Wishing everyone a restful and refreshing summer season!
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Latest Posts
National Council of Jewish Women Kicks Off a Big Year with Multiple September Activities
Top Row: Joan Maniere, Marty Henderson, Rabbi Rebecca Reice, Sharon Krumholz, Ruth Ann Plotkin, Merle Dover, Beth Payan, Raquel Schuster, Marcelle Friedman, Melissa Drexler, Ettie Baranoff, Suzanne Newberg Second Row: Michele Schwartz, Paula Friedman, Christine...
Austin Women Bond Over Volunteer in Israel Experience
Lauren Halpern, Heilla Lain, Terry Benaryeh, and Michelle Rechenberg (far right) with an Israeli local. Courtesy: JNF By JD Krebs Terry Benaryeh, Lauren Halpern, Michelle Reichenberg and Heilla Lain have all known each other for decades. From Pilates classes to...
Shalom Austin’s Generous Grant Fuels New Mental Health and Disability Loan Program
Goodman Family of five from left to right: Greg, Ezra, Meadow (z"l), Eden, and Lulu. Courtesy: Greg Goodman By Debbie Cohen (CONTENT ADVISORY - Mentions of suicide.) In an extraordinary act of community support, Shalom Austin has provided a generous grant to fund...
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Fitness
Swimming
Tennis & Pickleball
Sports
EDUCATION
Jewish Culture & Education
Early Childhood Program Preschool
After School & Childcare
Camps
ARTS & CULTURE
Literary Arts
Visual Arts
Theatre & Film
Dance
COUNSELING & SUPPORT
Jewish Family Service
Counseling & Groups
Case Management
References & Resources
Copyright Shalom Austin 2025. Privacy Policy.