J Blog

We finished up our men’s basketball season with two exciting championship games on Monday, December 9. The first championship game was in our 35+ League where we saw an exciting match with Rody Grant’s team beating Ohad Nezer’s team for the championship.

We are living in one of the most interesting eras for Israeli politics.

Like a bad TV reunion (I'm looking at you, Fuller House), Israel is yet again moving fast towards an election—the third in one year—and it is very confusing, even for Israelis.

My kids’ happy place is Jewish camp. They can run free, be as loud as they want, try new things, make new friends, and connect with old friends, all in a Jewish setting. While it’s fantastic to know that kids have this, how much better is it when we as parents get to join in?

We are now in the middle of what is referred to as the Holiday Season. It is a festive time of year full of get togethers, travel and celebration. And regardless of what specific holiday you celebrate, almost all come with a wide variety of epicurean delights in the form of food and drink.

So how do we enjoy the festivities and maintain a healthy weight? By finding a balance of indulgence and maintenance. Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy your favorite holiday sensibly and with moderation.

A warm meal. A friendly smile. A helping hand. This is how our Meals On Wheels program makes a difference every day for the seniors that live in our neighborhood...550 seniors to be exact!

Our Meals on Wheels volunteers and staff ensure these seniors have food on their table, a friend to say hello to and peace of mind. 

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.