Enriching Jewish life, here and everywhere.
We fund and cultivate programs that strengthen the Jewish community.
The Federation
The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston helps ensure a thriving, vibrant, and engaged Jewish community locally, in Israel, and around the world. The Federation provides opportunities for individuals and families to engage philanthropically and drives meaningful social change to enhance the continuity, security, and unity of the Jewish community.
Our Impact
How We Make a Difference
In the 21st Century, Jewish community doesn’t just happen – it must be created and cultivated. A thriving Jewish community means that everyone who wants to is able to find accessible and relevant ways to connect Jewishly. Our programs and networks educate and connect our community to both Judaism and Israel while celebrating the rich heritage and values of the Jewish people.
Federation Virtual Awards to Celebrate Community
The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is rolling out the red carpet to honor six community leaders and spotlight the good work happening in and around Jewish Houston. The virtual awards ceremony, which honors both lay leaders and Jewish communal professionals, will be held at 7 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2020.
All community members and Jewish communal professionals are encouraged to logon as the people and organizations who power Jewish life in Houston take center stage.
PJ Library Young Chef Program Connects Houston’s Suburbs
Eight-year-old, Autumn Welch, is loving the Jewish Federation’s PJ Library Young Chef program. Her mom, Janessa Welch says Autumn was especially excited to learn how to make Israeli cheesecake. “I loved that it was really geared towards her. She’s never been confident in the kitchen and this was something she could do all by herself,” mom Janessa shared with us.
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Moments that Matter - Caring for our Elderly
As we continue sharing with you moments of strength from across the community, this week we turn our attention to critical agency partner, Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, each of our Houston Jewish organizations had to quickly pivot to make their operations feasible. As a nursing home serving a vulnerable population, Seven Acres had perhaps the greatest challenge of all. Even so, we have watched the exceptional leadership and staff of this organization as they implemented extraordinary safety precautions – including making the difficult decision to close the campus to visitors in early March – while still providing a high level of care to residents.
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COORDINATING A COMMUNITY RESPONSE
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way all of us work, learn, connect to one another, and receive information. The Federation is no different, and we take seriously our role as a leader and convener of Houston’s Jewish Community. We are intent on providing you information as we work to guide a collective response.
This is why I want to share with you the often-unseen work of the Federation and specifically, the work of the Jewish Response and Action Network (JRAN) which launched last December under the direction of our new Director of Government Affairs, Jackie Fisherman.
IT IS THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER
On a recent Sunday, Aerin Kalmans (pictured with her mother Elyse), a 20-year-old college sophomore who is currently back home in Houston, picked up the phone on behalf of the Federation to call a 93-year-old man she had never met. She was calling just to check in.
“How much time do you have?” he asked.
“All the time in the world—literally,” she replied.
SCHOOL’S OUT HELP OUT GIVES BACK ON PRESIDENT’S DAY
Thank you to our volunteer families who spent Presidents’ Day making a difference. This awesome group learned about sayver panim yafot (intentionally greeting others with kindness) before delivering approximately 50 Meals on Wheels and baking challah for hungry neighbors in need. Because of these generous volunteers, all 350 clients received their meals!
A Shabbat Message
Some 2000 years ago Rabbi Hillel taught us, Al tifrosh min hatzibur, “Don’t separate yourself from the community.”
And yet, here we are a society at the most hyperconnected point in a millennia, and we are forced to physically separate. While these physical barriers may be necessary at this time, the Federation is doing its best to keep you connected to community because at its heart, Jewish life is about community.
In today’s Shabbat message, I share with you what the Federation is doing keep our community connected, help those in need, support our partners, and find a way for us to get through these challenging times together.
Shabbat Shalom.
EDUCATING IN ISRAEL
YEDA is just one of many programs we support to fund what matters most in the lives of Jewish families here and in Israel. The schools, located in Northern Haifa, are inspired by Houston’s KIPP: Knowledge Is Power Program. YEDA believes that their students’ demography should not determine their destiny. The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston has committed to fund YEDA with $250,000 over 5 years.
YOM LIMMUD - JEWISH LEARNING MAKES OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER
The Federation’s 26th Annual Yom Limmud drew more than 1,300 of our community members who joined for a day of Jewish learning. This is one of the ways our Federation keeps us connected to Judaism and promotes lifelong learning. Thank you to the Barish family, Chair King Backyard Store , Congregation Beth Israel – Houston, TX, our chairs Steve & Sandra Finkelman, and all our volunteers for making it possible.
Get Involved
Giving back
Getting involved with the Federation is about connecting with the Jewish community and being a part of making the world a better place. There are many ways to make a difference through the Federation.
Donation
The Federation touches more Jewish lives in Houston than any other organization. The key to our success is the dedication and compassion of our donors. Be a part of making a difference in our community by supporting the Federation’s Annual Campaign.
