JEWISH COMMUNITY BLOG

In 2021, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General declared youth mental health to be a public health crisis and national emergency. The surgeon general’s advisory report added to a growing number of calls for attention to and action around adolescent mental health....

Israel Bonds Houston Representative Steve Landis standing proudly in front of an Israel Bonds banner. Courtesy: Israel Bonds After 18 years of dedicated service, Israel Bonds Houston Registered Sales Representative Steve Landis is set to retire. Reflecting on his...

Installation of officers in the 1990's. From left to right: Sookie Weinberger Seriff, Linda Cox, Janis Daemmrich, Eileen Ladd, Bettie Forman, Georgia Levin, Sue Goldstein, Karen Siegel, Tobi Sokolow, Beth Sher, Karen Naseck, Lisa Gerhardt. Courtesy: Karen Siegel By...

Chef Joshua Weissman’s potato salad pictured in the cookbook “Texture Over Taste.” Courtesy: Joshua Weissman By Allison Teegardin  In March, cookbook author and chef Joshua Weissman and CEO of Sommersa, Giacomo Zacchia discussed the future of food media on a SXSW...

Israeli Scouts Counselors. Courtesy: Gili Meidan By Devorah Fuchs The Israeli Scouts (Tzofim) in Austin are wrapping up a remarkable first year. They've not only established a strong presence but also fostered a vital sense of community and unity. Starting with a few...

Rabbi Will Hall, who began serving Temple Beth Shalom as assistant rabbi on July 1, 2023, was officially installed in that role on Friday, April 19, 2024, during Erev Shabbat services at the temple. A celebratory oneg followed services. In honor of his installation,...

Back Row left to right: Cheryl Hersh, Arielle Levy Marschark, Alison Goldstein Lebovitz, Mae Levitan, Melanie Susswein, Patti Sokol, Arlene Maze, Marsha Fein. Front Row L-R: Cheryl Fulton, Robyn Sperling, Julie Waltzer, Carli Price, Chayla Furlong, Kim Schocket, Ellen...

Community members attend JGallery opening reception for Imagine Art exhibit at the Dell JCC on June 2, 2024. Credit: Rebecca Golden By Barb Waisman This summer, the Toby Shor JGallery co-hosts the delightful and inspiring exhibition entitled “Imagine Art: where every...

Current and past presidents of TJHS met for Shabbat dinner and services at Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson at the start of the TJHS 45th Annual Gathering. Courtesy: Sheldon Lippman By Sheldon Lippman The Texas Jewish Historical Society (TJHS) held its 45th...

From left to right:  Jake Cohen, Joan Nathan, Aliza Kline and Julie Rice. Credit: Robbie Nero OneTable, a North American non-profit that empowers people to envision new rituals and build community through Shabbat dinner, co-hosted a Shabbat dinner on Friday, April 12,...

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a volunteer organization formed by the families of the abductees of the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, have created the "Shavuot of Longing" cookbook. Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the giving of...

Shalom Austin, IAC, Israeli Scouts (Tzufim) and BBYO collaborate for a special teen event during Israel’s Yom Hazikron and Yom HaAtzmaut. Credit: Maayan Oved By Maayan Oved, IAC Austin Program Manager In May, when the community commemorated Israel’s Yom Hazikron and...

Judaism teaches that learning is powerful. It grounds us in our history and equips us to face contemporary challenges. In easy times and hard times, it provides a platform from which we can build and strengthen our communities.    Chicago-based Spertus Institute for...

8th grade Israeli scouts. Credit: Gili Meidan By Shelly Shwartz Winston Churchill once said – “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”. That prevailing feeling was felt last week, when 20 Passover baskets, prepared by the 8th-grade Israeli...

Participants at the event on March 17, 2024. Credit: Maayan Oved By Shelly Shwartz Being a pro-Israel or Jewish teenager in high school right now can be difficult and confusing. The Israeli American Council (IAC) and Shalom Austin's  Senior Youth and Teen Director,...

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus. Courtesy: Shalom Austin As we approach Purim, a time when we are commanded to find joy and happiness in our lives, we know that this year’s celebration will be filled with mixed emotions. We continue to pray that all hostages are returned...

Matisyahu performing his music. Courtesy: Wasserman Media Shalom Austin is hosting its largest fundraising and community building event of the year, IGNITE!, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. IGNITE! will take place at the  Dell Jewish Community Center. At the event, Sandy...

Carol and Kaylen Silverberg address the audience at the opening reception for the Carol & Kaylen Silverberg Family Interactive Wall Celebrating Israeli Innovation and Global Impact on Jan. 18 at the Dell JCC. Credit: Wendy Goodman By Wendy Goodman On January 18,...

A war memorial in Ukraine. Credit: Rabbi Neil Blumofe By Rachel Cottle In early November 2023, closely following the heels of the October 7 attack, Neil Blumofe, senior Rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin, Texas, traveled to Israel to lend what humanitarian...