Shalom Austin Expands Its Supported Employment Program with RAISE
RAISE participants of Shalom Orlando. Courtesy: RAISE Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service is proud to announce the upcoming launch of RAISE—an exciting step forward in supporting adults with disabilities as they develop essential job and social skills. The employment...
City of Austin Declares January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day with Proclamation
On January 30, 2025, Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, on behalf of the Austin Jewish community, receives a proclamation honoring International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Credit: Wendy Goodman By Wendy Goodman On January 30, 2025, members and leaders of...
Q&A: Woman of Valor Robyn Sperling Shares Jewish Journey
Robyn Sperling. Credit: Andrew Holmes Robyn Sperling has been a dedicated Jewish community leader in Austin for the past three decades, making a lasting impact. This year, her efforts are being recognized at Mosaic, Shalom Austin Women’s Philanthropy signature event,...
2025 Has Already Been a Meaningful Year for the Lions of Judah
Austin Lions gather during one of the plenaries at the International Lion of Judah Conference. Courtesy: Shalom Austin By Shana Creeger In January, 25 proud Lions of Judah from Austin joined more than 1,700 Lions, community leaders and allies from 90 communities,...
Austin Community Leaders Underwrite Donor Advised Fund Incentive Opportunity
Jessica and Joel Levine and Family. Credit: Twinty Photography By Amanda Sokolosky Shalom Austin launched a Donor Advised Fund Incentive Program designed to encourage philanthropy in the name of the Jewish community and to help promote a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) as...
Local Advocates Join Jewish Communities Day at the State
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, second from left in front, with members of the Texas delegation at the 2025 Jewish Communities Day at the State. Courtesy: Sharyn Vane By Sharyn Vane Dozens of Central Texas Jewish advocates joined their counterparts from across...
Unveiled: A Timeless Tale of Love, Faith, and Courage Told in a New Way Takes Center Stage in Austin
The cast of Unveiled with choreographer, Jesee Smart (center in white shirt). Courtesy: Glenna Bowman By Allison Teegardin Unveiled, a musical inspired by the story of Queen Esther, will be presented in March 2025 at the historic Austin Scottish Rite Theater. As...
The Scourge and the Surge: A Historic Turning Point for American Jewry
On January 7, 2025, Jonathan D. Sarna, a leading scholar of American Jewish history, delivered the inaugural lecture for the “Living the American Jewish Experience,” an annual series attended by over 250 people and sponsored by Marcia and Barry Silverberg. Sarna’s...
Jewish Family Service Partners with The Shomer Collective
L-R: Rabbi Amy B. Cohen, Maura Kinney, Rabbi Melanie Levav, Audrey Burnett, Rachel Wimberley, Matt Medina. Courtesy: Matt Medina By Audrey Burnett Almost everyone has or knows of topics that they would rather avoid. For many, talking about death is at the top of that...
Congregation Beth Israel Hires New Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Brian Leiken and his wife, Shara Abraham, have two sons, Kaleb and Ari. Courtesy: Rabbi Brian Leiken By Corrie MacLaggan Congregation Beth Israel has selected Rabbi Brian Leiken to be its next senior rabbi. For the past 13 years, Leiken has served Temple Beth...
Descendants of Holocaust Survivors Train to Tell Their Families’ Stories
Credit: Eelco Bohtlingk via Unsplash By Linda Aronovsky Cox Descendants of Holocaust survivors have an important voice in countering hate and antisemitism and keeping the history of the Holocaust relevant in today's world. With few Holocaust survivors left to tell...
Where Israeli and American Hearts Meet: The Story of Austin’s Tzofim
Austin chapter ninth graders during their recent training seminar. Courtesy: Gili Meidan By Deborah Fuchs In less than three years, the Israeli Scouts (Tzofim) in Austin have achieved what many might have thought impossible. From a small group of enthusiastic...
AJA Provides a Safe Haven to Jewish Students in the Face of Unprecedented Antisemitism
Austin Jewish Academy students participate in Teffilah. Credit: Jon Kniss This fall, the community marked the heartbreaking anniversary of October 7, followed by powerful Yom Kippur reflections and then a joyful Sukkot. Jewish day school education is a critical piece...
AJA Student Alumni’s Future Is Soaring
Eddie Vane. Courtesy: Austin Jewish Academy By Kari Loya Austin Jewish Academy's mission is to inspire its students to transform the world. The school recently began profiling its alumni, who are currently attending top colleges and universities across the United...
Local Federation Changemaker Is Helping Create the Jewish Future
Emily Shrode attends the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly. Courtesy: Emily Shrode Jewish Federations of North America runs a special fellowship to support the emerging voices and future leaders of Jewish life in North America called Jewish...
Science & Business at the Bar: Where Innovation and Community Meet
Science & Business at the Bar. Courtesy: Community Engagement Manager-IAC Austin. Courtesy: Ofir Hagay Nevel By Ofir Hagay Nevel In today’s fast-paced world, where technology, business, and science intersect, fostering real connections and exchanging...
PJ Library Helps Families Celebrate Jewish Life Page by Page
Courtney Jones reads a PJ Library book. Courtesy: Courtney Jones By Allison Teegardin In 2008, Shalom Austin launched the PJ Library program locally for young Jewish readers. PJ Library has been celebrated by the 4,585 Austin families with children from birth through...
Hebrew Free Loan of Austin Celebrates 13 Years of Impactful Giving
2024 HFLA Board of Directors. Courtesy: Debbie Cohen By Debbie Cohen On November 13, 2024, Hebrew Free Loan of Austin (HFLA) marked a significant milestone: its "B’nai Mitzvah Anniversary," a celebration marking 13 years of transforming lives through interest-free...
UT Student Volunteers with Local Refugee Community
Janani Sivakumar. Credit: Sivakumar Kalyanasundaram By Allison Teegardin In August 2023, University of Texas Austin student Janani Sivakumar enrolled in a Jewish Studies internship course which combines a weekly classroom lecture with 10 weekly hours in an internship...
Hillel at Texas A&M Kicks Off Spring Semester with a Bang
Texas A&M Hillel students enjoy a warm cup of coffee at Starbucks on the Quad. Courtesy: Risa Bierman. Hillel at Texas A&M Kicks Off Spring Semester with a Bang The spring semester at Texas A&M Hillel is off to a snowy start. Following a successful...
San Marcos Jewish Community Is Flourishing
Community Menorah Lighting at the Hays County Historic Courthouse in the center of San Marcos. Courtesy: Rabbi Ari Weingarten By Allison Teegardin In 2016, The Rohr Chabad of San Marcos opened its doors with a goal of serving the Texas Hill Country Jewish...
The Legacy of a Rosenwald School in Cedar Creek, Texas
Speaking on the panel following the film screening of Rosenwald, from L-R: Bullock Museum Curator James McReynolds; President of Hopewell Community Club & Hopewell Rosenwald School Community, Elroy Williams; Hopewell Rosenwald School Community Development...
Shalom Austin Announces Five Key Promotions
Shalom Austin is thrilled to announce changes to our leadership team, reflecting our commitment to growth, innovation, and excellence. These talented leaders have played a pivotal role in strengthening our organization, and their new roles will enhance our ability to...
Buda Celebrates Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Lisa Wolfe-Schacter leading children in song and dance at the Buda Hanukkah Menorah Lighting. Credit: Jonathan Robert Betcher The 4th Annual Buda Hanukkah Menorah Lighting was held on January 1. 2025 from 5-7 p.m. on Buda’s Main Street by the Gazebo. The lighting of...
Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service Opens New Doors to Serve the Community
Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Front to back, left to right: Molly Krasoff, Steve Krasoff, Amanda Krasoff, Rabbi Amy B. Cohen, Janet S. Elam, Heather Krol, Ari Franklin, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, Steve McDaniel, Nancy Shapiro, Beth...
Over 450 Austinites Unite at Annual Breakfast for Israel
Event Co-chairs and Jewish National Fund-USA Austin Board with Keynote Speaker Avi Melamed (back row, middle) Credit: Andrew Holmes On October 9, 2024, just two days after the first anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks in southern Israel, over 450 Austin...
In Times of Darkness, Together We Can be the Light
As I write this column, I am currently at The General Assembly of Jewish Federations of North America with fifteen other volunteer and professional leaders of our community. It is at conferences such as The General Assembly where I always walk away feeling...
Austin Community Stands United on October 7th Day of Commemoration
Rabbinic panel discussion allows guests to hear how local congregational rabbis have responded to the October 7 atrocities. L to R: Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, Rabbi Eleanor B. Steinman, Rabbi Daniel Millner, Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Rabbi Rebecca Reice, Rabbi Kelly Levy....
Mayim Bialik Scheduled to Captivate the Audience at Mosaic 2025
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...
From Israel to Austin: Young Emissaries Make a Difference in Local Community
The ShinShinim at the Jewish Agency for Israel ShinShinim Conference earlier in November. Courtesy: Michal Ilai It may seem as if the Austin ShinShinim (young emissaries) arrived from Israel recently, but Ariella Goldstein and Eyal Butbul see themselves as part of...
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