Mayim Bialik. Courtesy: Mayim Bialik

By Allison Teegardin 

On March 27, 2025, Shalom Austin’s Women’s Philanthropy will once again host the largest gathering of Jewish women in Central Texas at the Mosaic Luncheon. Representing the remarkable power of women and their commitment to ensuring the Jewish community thrives, this year’s event is sure to be the best one yet. This year’s featured speaker is Mayim Bialik, an award-winning actress, podcast host, neuroscientist and author. Firmly rooted in her Jewish heritage and values, Bialik will captivate the audience as she shares how her commitment to her faith has shaped her life and career in an increasingly secular world.   

As stated in her bio, Bialik is best known for her lead role as Blossom Russo in the 1990s NBC sitcom “Blossom,” as well as Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS comedy, “The Big Bang Theory,” for which she garnered two Critics’ Choice Award wins, a SAG nomination, and four Emmy nominations. Bialik and her company, Sad Clown Productions, produced the FOX show “Call Me Kat,” which she starred in for three seasons. Additionally, Bialik hosted syndicated “Jeopardy” and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” for two critically acclaimed seasons, earning a Critics’ Choice Real TV Award nomination as well as an Emmy nomination.   

In 2022, Bialik made her screenwriting and directorial debut with the film, “As They Made Us” starring Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, Simon Helberg and Dianna Agron.   

She is a #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author of the books “Girling Up” and “Boying Up” and has also published a vegan cookbook and a book about her experiences with Attachment Parenting.  

Along with partner and writer Jonathan Cohen, Bialik hosts a successful mental wellness podcast titled “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown.” The podcast has approximately 60 million downloads and counting. In March 2024, Bialik and Cohen brought their podcast to SXSW in Austin, Texas where they discussed how the metaphysical can impact the mind-body connection and emotional wellness. And now as the featured speaker at Mosaic, Bialik is looking forward to returning to Austin.   

“I really like Austin and enjoy visiting Jewish communities everywhere I go,” said Bialik. “I’m really excited to be coming back to Austin for a Jewish event and to be a part of Shalom Austin.”   

Mosaic will welcome hundreds of Jewish women who are all deeply committed to the local and global Jewish community. A common theme at the event every year is how women draw inspiration from other women while also serving as an inspiration to others. When asked who are some women that have inspired Bialik, she says the most influential women in her life have been those in her family including her mother, aunts and cousins.   

Another notable influential woman in her life was her biology tutor on the set of Blossom. An undergraduate student at the time and now an oral surgeon, the tutor encouraged 15-year-old Bialik to become a scientist. “She inspired me greatly to believe I could be a science student when I wasn’t naturally great at science,” recalls Bialik. Bialik did in fact continue her studies in science earning a BS and PhD in Neuroscience from UCLA.  

The goal of Mosaic is to ensure a warm and welcoming experience for newcomers, new-ish community members and longtime supporters alike. Recognizing there can be challenges to making new connections as an adult, especially in the Jewish community Bialik stresses the importance of developing a social community around one’s Jewish identity. “I feel it is incredibly important to learn about philanthropy, not just in terms of money but in terms of time and energy and a presence in communities.”    

Whether contributing money or time, the impact felt throughout the community is meaningful. Bialik herself recalls giving tzedakah by placing spare change in the pushke (tzedakah can) at home as well at Hebrew School to be used for giving to charity. “I didn’t grow up with a lot, but my mom always emphasized giving tzedakah and it never occurred to me to not be a family that gives tzedakah,” said Bialik. In addition to giving financially, Bialik said her family also volunteered their time to charity and she’s grateful to her mother for infusing that value.     

The 2025 Mosaic luncheon is chaired by Marci Dell and Susan Zane and will bring together women of all ages and stages of life. As with each signature Shalom Austin event, inspirational stories of perseverance will be highlighted with a focus on individual Jewish journeys while also weaving them together as one. “I believe all of us have a purpose given to us by G-d and we get to figure out what that is,” said Bialik. “For me being placed as a prominent Jewish person, I am grateful I have been able to advocate, not just post October 7, but before October 7, for appreciating Jewish values and understanding traditional Judaism in a modern light. That’s definitely been a challenge but also a real blessing,”  

To learn more about Mosaic, ways to be more active in the Austin Jewish community and hearing more from Bialik, visit shalomaustin.org/mosaic.