J Blog

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.