JEWISH COMMUNITY BLOG

Shalom Austin Chief Operating Officer Janet S. Elam participates in the FBI Citizens Academy. Photo credit: Dave Hawks. There is a saying that is common in FBI circles that “the better we know our communities, the better we can protect them.” To that end, the...

By Wendy Goodman Jess Reger becomes new owner of Kim's Gym. Photo courtesy of Jess Reger. Nearly 20 years ago, Jewish community member and former gymnast Kim Lindauer started Kim’s Gym, an exemplary children’s gymnastics program exclusively held at the Shalom Austin...

The new family-friendly activity pool with spray features, dumping buckets, water tables, and slides has been installed. Photo credit: Dave Hawks Since the historic groundbreaking event on October 25, 2020, construction has continued to progress on the Generations...

By Arielle Levy Inspired and guided by the traditions of tzedakah (righteousness/charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), Shalom Austin Women’s Philanthropy (WP) is a group that engages, empowers, and educates women of all generations to strengthen and serve...

Volunteers safely gather in neighborhood groups to create care packages for homeless neighbors. Photos credit: Jennifer Lazarus. This past year, Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service launched a new partnership with Lifeworks Austin. Lifeworks is an Austin-based...

John Sutton. Courtesy of Congregation Agudas Achim. For almost 40 years, Congregation Agudas Achim (CAA) has experienced many changes - several rabbis, two synagogue buildings, numerous synagogue presidents and leadership teams, and even a new siddur. In fact, if a...

Heidi and Robbie Kandalis received support through Hebrew Free Loan of Austin to keep their business afloat. Photo courtesy of Heidi Kandalis. Last Fall, the HFLA inbox received a fortuitous message. An administrator from the Change Reaction, a Los Angeles based...

Cantor Abby Gostein. Photo courtesy of Temple Beth Shalom. Temple Beth Shalom celebrates, along with the Greater Austin Jewish community, the ordination of Cantor Abby Gostein in May 2021 from the Academy of Jewish Religion, California.  Serving Temple Beth Shalom...

Morris and Laura Gottesman. Photo credit: Kerry Lorhmer. ADL Austin is honoring Laura and Morris Gottesman with the Torch of Liberty Award November 17th at the 2021 ADL Golden Door Awards Dinner. The Torch of Liberty Award is given annually to members of the Austin...

Anne Frank. Credit: AFS/AFF, Amsterdam/BASEL. Congregation Havurah Shalom of Sun City Georgetown, in partnership with the Georgetown Public Library, will be bringing a new Anne Frank exhibit to the library for six weeks, October 2-November 15, 2021.  ANNE FRANK: ‘LET...

Rabbi Will Hall (left) and Aviva Mangista (right) joined Texas Hillel this summer. Rabbi Will was ordained in May 2021 by the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion. Aviva completed her studies in Diplomacy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center,...

Photo credit: Pexels. By Elana G. Kahn and Rachel Stern This moment in Jewish history demands powerful leadership. As we face the uncertainty of our post-COVID world, including shifting organizational structures and demographic changes, real leadership will require...

Mark Rubin has been named the new Executive Director of Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS), becoming only the fourth leader of the Jewish social service agency since 1946. A New Orleans native, Rubin was unanimously approved by a board vote on July 15. His...

Gilad Katz, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest Bittersweet, that is the feeling I am overcome with, while I write this farewell piece, as my tenure as Consul General of Israel to the Southwest comes to a close. I am filled with sweet emotions, because of all...

Campers have fun in the foam pit at Shalom Austin JCamps this summer. Credit: Jon Niss. Campers at JCamps enjoy everything the JCC has to offer, from large indoor spaces and a gymnasium to the lush grounds and the outdoor fields. Credit: Jon Niss. As COVID-19 cases...

Wendy Corn (right) drove Linda Stein (left) to an Austin Vaccine Angel arranged appointment. Photo courtesy of Wendy Corn. By Taylor A. Harrison In February 2021, Rachel Wimberley, Shalom Austin adult programs director, and Rabbi Amy B. Cohen, LMSW, Shalom Austin...

Tonyia Cone. Credit: Dave Hawks. By Wendy Goodman 15 years, 180 issues and 600 articles later, Tonyia Cone is leaving The Jewish Outlook to seek other opportunities. The Austin Jewish community, Shalom Austin and The Jewish Outlook thank Cone for her incredible...

Credit: Pixabay. By Alachua Nazarenko In Pirkei Avot, a compilation of Jewish ethical teachings, Rabbi Shimon ben Zoma asks, “Who is wise?” and answers, “He who learns from everyone.” In the Austin Jewish community, adult learners have the opportunity to do just...

Jewish professionals Alachua Nazarenko and Robyn Burch work on their University of Texas course. Credit: Rachel Stern. By Rachel Stern “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears and never regrets,” stated Leonardo Da Vinci. Judaism is a religion...