Create a Jewish Life Your Way

Please join Freedman’s Town Museum in a Genealogy Workshop that highlights the importance of beginning or continuing family research using valuable archival records in Harris County.

Join Congregation Shma Koleinu for Shabbat Services. Our Oneg begins at 6 pm with Shabbat Services at 6:30 pm.

Through visual testimony and the context of art history, Nothing To Do But To Try is a first-of-its-kind exhibition about Boris Lurie, an acclaimed artist, writer, and Holocaust survivor. Centered around Lurie’s earliest work, the so-called “War Series,” as well as never-before-exhibited objects and ephemera from his personal collection, Boris Lurie: Nothing To Do But To Try presents a portrait of an artist reckoning with devastating trauma, haunting memories, and a lifelong quest for freedom. Learn about Boris Lurie’s life before the Holocaust, his experiences during the war, and his journey to find himself again through creative outlets. Sara Softness, Director of Cultural Affairs, Museum of Jewish Heritage, NYC, will join us as our special guest speaker.

ntroducing your 2026 ReelPeople speakers!ReelPeople: features presentations from remarkable experts that will intimately and urgently reveal the world of disabilities. Join us for an extraordinary evening with extraordinary stories with: ‍Jim Abbott, born without a right hand, became an Olympic gold medalist and Major League Baseball pitcher, playing ten seasons and throwing a no-hitter for the New York Yankees. Since retiring, he has dedicated his life to advocating for the limb-difference community, demonstrating that determination can overcome any obstacle.‍Ali Stroker, a Tony Award-winning actress, made history as the first performer in a wheelchair on Broadway and has starred in acclaimed productions such as Oklahoma! and Spring Awakening, as well as TV series including Ozark and Only Murders in the Building. She is also an author and advocate, inspiring others through her motto: “Turning Your Limitations Into Your Opportunities.”

Join MoHo Houston to make pressed flower frames - a great gift for flower lovers that will last forever

Join ReelAbilities Houston for night 2 of ReelFilm 2026 as we watch a film about the importance of independence and purpose, and the presentation of the Inspirement award to Michelle BrooknerThe Paper Bag PlanDisability Represented: Intellectual Disability, Physical DisabilityDirector: Anthony LuceroAfter being diagnosed with cancer, Oscar realizes his overprotectiveness may be holding his son Billy back from gaining independence. Determined to secure Billy’s future, Oscar helps him build the skills needed for a job as a grocery store bagger. Their heartfelt journey highlights the challenges and triumphs of fostering self-reliance, revealing the deep love between father and son—and the courage it takes to let go.‍Inspirement Award Recipient- Michelle BrooknerMichelle Brookner grew up in Dallas and moved to Houston shortly after graduating from the University of Texas in 1990 with a degree in Geography. After several years of work, she changed careers and raised her two daughters, Lauren & Hannah. Michelle has been married to Brad Brookner for 33 years.Over the years, she has volunteered with and served on the boards of many organizations, including the Girl Scouts, various school parent organizations, Emanu El, The Becker Early Childhood Center, Helfman Religious School, Emanu El’s Sisterhood, ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival, and Alexander JFS’ Disability Committee. Michelle has also been active in the JCC tennis community since 2005, playing both league and fun matches with her many friends she’s made on the courts. Michelle enjoys being creative. She has been a volunteer twice a week at Celebration Company since the spring of 2013. She uses her creativity to help employees design fused-glass art and print napkins, among other tasks, as requested by Celebration Company leadership.‍

Join pastry chef Stefanie Bishop for Eclairs & Cream Puffs: Classic French Pastries, a hands-on workshop where you’ll master the art of pâte à choux. Learn to pipe, bake, and fill delicate éclairs and airy cream puffs, then finish them with rich creams and glossy glazes. A deliciously elegant evening awaits!

The 1492 edict expelled the Jews following more than 1,000 years of life on the Iberian peninsula. We will explore the events surrounding this infamous chapter in Spanish history and the events of the next several centuries (the late Middle Ages and Early Modern times) as the Jews resumed their role as a dispersed nomadic people. We will delve into the ways in which Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews were forced to interact as well as the integration and anti-Semitism Jews encountered living amongst the various new lands in which they settled. Sundays, February 1, 8,22, March 1, 8 at 11:00 AM

Friendship Runs in the Family!Join us at Godwin Park for our Day of Awareness, a celebration of friendship, inclusion, and joy! Whether you run the 5K or walk the 1 Mile, every step supports children and young adults with special needs and spreads awareness about the important work of Friendship Circle of Houston. And you can join the Hey Houston team! Every dollar we raise will advance Friendship Circle's great cause!

Join Congregation Shma Koleinu for Shabbat Services. Our Oneg begins at 6 pm with Shabbat Services at 6:30 pm.

Dinner at 6:15pm - Menu includes: chicken and beef pan kabobs, Persian rice, steamed rice, cocnut and herb chickpea curry(veggie option),cucumber dip and pita bread, plus chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. Cost is $10 for HCRJ members and $15 for non-members Family friendly musical Shabbat Service at 7:15pm Dessert Oneg following the service is sponsored by the Grunewald family in honor of their son Sterling becoming Bar MItzvah..

Celebrate “Shabbat in Hawaii” with Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s at this month’s Hawaiian Style First Friday Shabbat Dinner & Cocktails.

Unifi is launching it's first event , bringing together Jewish proffesionals for an intentional evening of ideas, perspective and connection.

Young Professionals (45 and under) are invited to a special reception with Lizzy Savetsky from 6:30 - 7:15 pm.After that, Lizzy will be talking about “Activism in the Modern Era: How to Be a Warrior on Social Media” in a discussion with Rabbi Brian Strauss from 7:30 - 8:30 pm.

Join your fellow 20somethings for some quality time and drinks!

In an increasingly divided world, understanding the richness of our culture has never been more important. “Jewish Life: Community, Cuisine & Culture” is a vibrant program designed to celebrate Jewish heritage while strengthening the bonds that hold our community together. This year’s Endowment Speaker Series invites participants to explore Jewish identity through storytelling and the universal language of food. Lani Anpo will join us on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m. for a discussion of indigeneity in contemporary discourse, Jewish indigeneity in historical and modern context, and reflections from lived experience, followed by a guided conversation and Q&A led by Rabbi Fixler. Lani is an influential advocate for global Indigenous and Jewish communities. A multi tribal Native American Jew—Sahnish, Hidatsa, Lakota, and Ashkenazi Jewish—Lani passionately champions the rights and stories of marginalized groups with a focus on protecting Indigenous sovereignty, promoting self-determination, and preserving history and culture.

ReelWorkplace 2026Acknowledging Every Mind: Mental Health & Inclusion at WorkReelWorkplace is a signature event of the ReelAbilities Houston Festival, empowering the business community to foster mental health awareness in the workplace. By recognizing the diverse ways people experience and manage mental health, organizations can build inclusive environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.This event explores how cultivating psychological safety, promoting open dialogue, and implementing inclusive practices can lead to healthier teams and more resilient workplaces. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating a culture that values mental well-being as a foundation for individual and organizational success.‍

Join 100 Jewish Men for a night out at the Toyota Center as we cheer on our hometown Rockets as they take on the Boston Celtics! Tipoff is Tuesday, February 4 at 7:00pm—come enjoy great company, great basketball, and a great night with the guys.

4-part course & dinner on Wednesday evenings. Jewish Secrets for Leading a Productive Life. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher to any upcoming CYP trip!

ReelFilm Opening Night 2026: Deaf President Now!Join ReelAbilities Houston for the opening film night, featuring opening remarks from Festival chairs Rori Feldman, Sandi Helfman Wolf, and Jamie Wolf and the incredible film Deaf President Now!Title: Deaf President NowDisability Represented: Deaf, Hearing LossDirector: Nyle Dimarco101 m- Documentary- English- USDescription: During eight days in March 1988, Gallaudet University students ignite a watershed moment in civil rights history. When the board appoints a hearing president to lead the world's only Deaf university, four student leaders mobilize their peers into action. Their demands extend beyond campus leadership, challenging deeply entrenched systems and sparking a movement that reverberates through generations. Co-directed by Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim, this documentary weaves together firsthand accounts and archival footage to chronicle a pivotal moment in American civil rights that reshaped educational equity.

Join Chef Yotam Dolev, executive chef of Hamsa and Októ, who invites you into his kitchen to explore the beauty of simple Israeli flavors. You’ll roast a whole cauliflower until perfectly golden and serve it with a luscious swirl of whipped green tahini—a dish that’s as vibrant and satisfying as it is unforgettable.

Join an engaging discussion with Rabbi Shmuli on the weekly Torah portion, while enjoying delicious kosher Pizza! Come and bring friends! Every Tuesday at 6pm Located at the Rice CoffeeHouse on Campus

Visit the ReelArt exhibit and enjoy a range of family-friendly, interactive activities!See the world through the eyes of artists from Celebration Company, an entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities, and enjoy the works of this year's featured artist Emmett Kyoshi WilsonJoin us for art activities, brunchy bites, and much more.Emmet Kyoshi Wilson, A Chicago-based artist and proud advocate for inclusion, uses his vibrant abstract art to champion individuals with unique abilities. Living with Down syndrome, Emmett has created over 150 works, exhibited in five galleries, and even painted the American Flag for the U.S. Embassy in Croatia. His collaborations with major brands such as Disney, Yahoo, and Adobe underscore his commitment to diversity, while his art auctions have raised more than $110,000 for charities supporting Down syndrome and other causes. Emmett’s internationally celebrated pieces, available as originals and prints, reflect his mission to spread messages of ability and inclusion—a vision he will amplify through his upcoming nonprofit, “Emmett’s World.”

Time to get your Mah Jongg on! $144 - Team of Four (preferred) $36 - Individual, online RSVP $54 - Individual, at the door $180 - Friends of Lyn Sponsorship* *The Friends of Lyn Sponsorship includes an invitation to an intimate, pre-event gathering to remember and honor Lyn from 12:30-1:00 PM in the Wolff-Toomim Meditation Garden at Congregation Beth Israel. It also includes one individual ticket to the 2026 Lyn Fleishman Schmulen Mahj-a-Thon. card and tile games are welcome!