Attendees listen at the Burt Kunik JAMen Forum. Credit: Alachua Haskins

By Alachua Haskins

The Burt Kunik JAMen Forum, a signature initiative of Shalom Austin, launched its ninth season in November with a dynamic and thought-provoking evening that brought together 130 Jewish men. This year, JAMen is generously presented by Loewy Law Firm.

The kickoff event featured Jason Karp, Founder and CEO of HumanCo, who challenged attendees to consider the interconnected crises facing humanity and how individual well-being is deeply tied to the health of our planet and society.

Just two weeks later, JAMen welcomed Dough Lewin, Author of Texas Energy and Power Newsletter, who discussed energy transition and expansion in Texas and beyond. Both events marked the beginning of another year of meaningful connection, learning, and community building.

Founded by the late Burt Kunik (z”l) and Jay Rubin, JAMen is open to all Jewish men in Central Texas, regardless of synagogue or JCC affiliation. The program offers six sessions per season, each featuring a different speaker and topic. Season 9 includes a diverse lineup of voices, from restaurateurs to spiritual leaders and university figures.

Registration is open for the rest of the season, and upcoming sessions include:

December 9: Zohar Raviv on Birthright Israel’s identity mission

February 18: Dr. Eben Alexander on near-death experiences

March 25: Austin Jewish restaurateurs share their journeys

May 13: A surprise guest from UT Athletics

Participants can register for the full season or attend individual sessions. JAMen continues to be a cornerstone of Jewish life in Austin, offering a space for men to grow as individuals and as members of a vibrant community. We hope you’ll join us to foster both intellectual engagement and personal connection.

Visit shalomaustin.org/jamen for more information or to register.