JEWISH COMMUNITY BLOG

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. 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...

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...