J Blog

In this season of Thanksgiving, we want to give special thanks to the dedicated volunteers who contribute so much to the success of the Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival. Our volunteer core, 51 people strong, put in more than 258 hours to make our programs run smoothly and to create an outstanding bookstore with such a wide array of merchandise. During the Festival, the J is full of activity, with author programs and films entertaining and enlightening so many attendees – some regulars and some joining us for the first time. The bookstore provides more than books and holiday décor, as it’s a space where friends connect, discuss topics raised by the programs, and share anecdotes as authors sign their books.

One of the biggest challenges in terms of our health and wellness is maintaining consistency with our exercise program. The saying, "showing up is half the battle" is, in fact, true. Then there is the frustration of trying to re-establish that consistency after a long layoff.

Even a week off can affect your normal time-clock and schedule to a point where you struggle to get to the gym. Consistency is one of the biggest keys to accomplishing our fitness goals and maintaining health and wellness. Here are some tips to use to get yourself back on schedule.

Woohoo!  I’m a blogger.

Last week, I sent out my first blog for the J. I also sent it to my immediate family, their two spouses, one fiancee, and one girlfriend. My daughter, Lisa, provided some millennial magic and posted it on her Instagram account. She was shocked to discover several of her friends and cousins asked if they could subscribe to my blog. So, I am beginning my new career as a blogger.  

We're excited to be celebrating Jewish food on Wednesday, Nov 13 - Closing Night of the Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival with Alana Newhouse and her book, The 100 Most Jewish Foods. What better way to celebrate Jewish food than having a dinner created by two of Houston's iconic Jewish chefs?

As the Chair of the 47th Annual Ann and Stephen Kaufman Book and Arts Festival, I am often astonished when people ask me, “what programs I recommend.” Obviously, these people didn't join me when I opened the 12th annual Jewish Film Festival with The Man in the Wall. Indelibly etched in my memory were the dismayed and shocked faces of the audience as they witnessed this spectacle. My tastes may be a little different than yours.

Everyone knows we do it big in Texas! So what better way to kick off the opening night of the 47th Annual Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, than with famed fashion designer and industry icon, Isaac Mizrahi!

For the 30th year through its Annual Children’s Scholarship Ball, the J is ensuring all children in Houston can learn and grow from our array of enriching classes, camps, and early childhood programs.

The Scholarship Ball benefits the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholarship Fund, and will be held this year on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The black tie gala will include a seated dinner, dancing, live music, and a silent auction, all to help support families in the community who may not have the means to fully afford programming for their children at the J. Since the ball’s inception, over 9,000 children’s lives have been brightened by the more than $12.5 million raised.

The week of October 12-19 is Bone and Joint Health National Action Week. We at the Fitness Center think that every week should be bone and joint health action week, but we are still glad that it is important enough of a health concern to make it a National Action item.

There are a few things that come to mind when we think of bone and joint health, such as arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis. There are also a handful of ways that you can educate yourself on injury prevention.

One of the greatest joys of the High Holiday season is getting to spend time with family and friends. On the holiday of Sukkot, we have the added bonus of spending that time outdoors, in the temporary dwelling of a sukkah.

Every Yom Kippur, as the sun is setting and the holy day is nearing its end, we sing this prayer:

Petach lanu sha’ar, 
Beit neilah sha’ar, 
ki fanah yom.

Open the gates for us, 
At this time when they are closing, 
For the day is coming to an end.