Attendees at the Burt Kunik JAMen Forum held at the Dell Jewish Community Campus. Credit: Rebecca Golden

The Burt Kunik Jewish Austin Men Forum, Shalom Austin’s dinner and speaker series, finished its eighth season on May 21 featuring special guest Daniel Lubetzky, Founder and Executive Chairman of Kind Snacks LLC and Shark Tank Panelist.

During the program, Jay Rubin, acting chair of the Burt Kunik JAMen Forum, delivered the following remarks reflecting on the season:

Tonight is our Season 8 finale, and I truly feel that a Shehechayanu [Jewish blessing of gratitude] is in order this year for enabling us to reach this milestone.

First, the tragic passing of Burt Kunik (z”l), our beloved founder, chair and generous benefactor, in early August. Then, my absence from the final Season 7 program and the opening Season 8 program tribute to Burt, due to my wife Carol’s lengthy hospitalization and subsequent passing in Houston.

But we made it through with a series of amazing and well-attended programs, including our tribute to Burt with Rabbi Brian Strauss of Congregation Beth Yeshurun, a tour de force analysis of October 7 and Israel’s challenges with Ambassador Ido Aharoni, a great interview by our own Brett Hurt of Whole Foods Founder John Mackey, a super return engagement by UT’s extraordinary Athletic Director Chris Del Conte, an outstanding physician panel featuring top area specialists and tonight’s very special guest Daniel Lubetzky, Kind LLC Founder and Executive Chair, Shark Tank Panelist, Philanthropist and Social Activist interviewed by our own Phil Klein.

A few end-of-season thank yous are very much in order.

To our exceptional Program Planning Committee, including Sandy Dochen, Bob Frachtman, Seth Halpern, Brett Hurt, Max Kunik, Phil Klein, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Jim Vertuno.

To our amazing Shalom Austin staff Alachua Haskins and Robyn Burch.

To Congregation Agudas Achim Executive Director Lainie Bailey and the wonderful CAA Catering Team and to the Kunik Family for your continued support of JAMen during this most challenging year.

JAMen Season 9 schedule will be announced in September.