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June 1, 2020
We Cannot Be Silent. Statement on The Murder of George Floyd.
This past weekend, we celebrated Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. The teachings of the Torah given to Moses provide us with a lens through which we see the world – and a lens so that we might act in ways that are right and just. And it is that lens we should call to mind as, once more, we and our neighbors seek to navigate yet another painful episode in our nation’s struggle to make good on the fundamental promise of our founders that all people are created equal and they are endowed with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Read moreMay 27, 2020
Zikaron BaSalon or Memories in the Livingroom Goes Virtual
Like all organizations and schools, when Houston shut down for the Stay Home, Work Safe order, the Federation’s bustling program schedule abruptly stopped and shifted focus to online virtual programs to keep the community connected. Each year, for Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Federation hosts Zikaron Basalon or “Memories in the Living Room.” This unique program usually takes places in various home throughout the city. Each house features a different survivor or second-generation family member who shares their story.
Read moreMay 27, 2020
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.
Read moreMay 20, 2020
Seven Acres Switches Up Programming to Keep Residents Active and Connected
Daily activities enrich life for residents at Federation-partner agency Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the building closed its doors to visitors to keep residents safe and healthy, which also meant they could no longer have regular visits from family members.
Read MoreMay 20, 2020
Federation Supports Seven Acres Nurses and Staff with Gift Cards
While Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services always celebrates Nurses Appreciation Week, this year was different. Due to COVID-19, the essential staff of this Federation-partner agency had to change the way they worked while maintaining quality care. Appreciating these front-line workers became even more necessary and meaningful and Seven Acres expanded Nurses’ Appreciation to include all of its essential staff. The Federation contributed providing gift cards, and another Seven Acres supporter provided a second gift card.
Read MoreMay 14, 2020
Pandemic Response Plan
As the Federation learned of the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic internationally, it began to focus on a community response through the Jewish Action and Response Network (JRAN). Dr. Ed Septimus, an infectious disease physician for Memorial Hermann, created a template for an organizational pandemic response plan for his congregation, Beth Israel, and one for Shalom Austin.
Read MoreMay 14, 2020
Paycheck Protection Program
The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on people and businesses at the local, state, national, and international level. When the Stay Home, Work Safe order began in the Greater Houston area, it quickly became clear that our Jewish community organizations would feel the effects.
Read MoreMay 8, 2020
It is the Moments that Matter
On a recent Sunday, Aerin Kalmans (pictured below 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.
Read MoreAnnouncements
One Night- A Virtual Community Celebration
January 5, 2021
ONE Night. FOUR Communities. The Power of the Collective. Join us for an amazing and entertaining evening as we partner with the Jewish Federations in Dallas, Milwaukee, and St. Louis to bring all our communities together for an event that celebrates the power of the collective. One Night will feature Sebastian Maniscalco, The New York Times “...hottest comic in America;” Don Felder, a former lead guitarist of the Eagles; and Sue Bird, WNBA star of the Seattle Storm.
For more information & to register