Shalom Austin

🎉 Let's cheer for these amazing participants as they recently graduated from the latest spring session of the 'A Matter of Balance' program and earn their certificates!

The Dell JCC along with Shalom Austin JFS Inspired Aging are proud to offer the "A Matter of Balance" program to older adults in the greater Austin area.

Available at no cost, this 8-week course is the most widely implemented fall prevention program across the country. The next one launches this fall at the Dell JCC. Stay tuned!

Gratitude, community, and momentum! We had an incredible turnout for the Shalom Austin 2026 Annual Meeting, bringing together Greater Austin Jewish community members, staff, and leadership.✨

The evening included a "State of Shalom Austin" presentation from our Board Chair Phil Loewy, the annual financial report from our Treasurer Marc Spier, and the official election of our new Board of Directors slate led by Chair-Elect/Governance Chair/Secretary Marcia Silverberg - including the appointment of Marcia as Chair-Elect.

We were also grounded by a beautiful rabbinic blessing from Rabbi Brian Leiken of Congregation Beth Israel and loved celebrating our extraordinary award recipients, Austin Jewish Film Festival (Community Service Award) and Zeifman Family Early Childhood Program Senior Lead Educator Ashley Davis (Staff Exemplar). 👏

To cap off a memorable night, our incoming CEO, Rachel Stern, delivered an inspiring inaugural address that has us all excited for the future.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Last month, Jewish American Heritage Month in Austin brought together civic leaders, educators, students, and community partners to celebrate Jewish culture and strengthen connections across our city.

Collaborating with local organizations, Shalom Austin hosted a variety of community events—including meaningful conversations, cross-cultural partnerships, service projects, and public celebrations. It was a beautiful reminder of the power of heritage, leadership, and shared values to build a more connected and resilient community.

Events included:
✓ JAHM Kickoff at Austin City Hall
✓ "Aint No Back to a Merry-Go-Round" film screening
✓ Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt
✓ Mitzvah Day

Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service is excited to offer this informative session, "Nurse Patient Advocacy: Everything You Need to Know" with Board Certified Nurse Patient Advocate Susan McCoy, Ed.D., MSN-Ed., RN, BCPA.
Susan will share information about what a Nurse Patient Advocate is and how they help guide clients and families through challenging healthcare situations.
No cost to attend!
Registration is required!
Register today: https://bit.ly/4eZMmu5

The 13th Annual Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt took place at the Dell JCC on May 17. The event was an unforgettable night of lively entertainment which brought together the dynamic Austin cultures including the Hindu, Jewish, and African American communities to support underprivileged students.

Hosted by Hindu Charities 4 America (HC4A) and Shalom Austin, the event raised funds for school supplies for 2,000 school students in Greater Austin who are experiencing financial insecurity so they can start their school year with confidence.

Supplies purchased with the funds raised will be packed by the community at the Dell JCC on August 2.

📣 Calling all Austin Lions! Mark your calendars now!

Join us HERE in Austin, TX February 28 – March 2, 2027, for the International Lion of Judah Conference. Thousands of philanthropic Jewish women will come together to connect with other Lions who lead with purpose and care deeply about the future of our Jewish communities.

Over three inspiring days, we will:
✨ Build lasting connections
🎤 Hear from voices that energize, inspire, and uplift
💡 Gain tools to grow our leadership
❤️ Deepen our collective impact

Your individual passion becomes part of something bigger, where our shared commitment moves us all forward.

Registration opens June 15 and will sell out quickly.

For more info, visit lionconference.org

A brand-new innovative program at Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service designed to teach children essential social skills, concluded with a standing ovation at the JCC Austin.
The Social Players! was designed for children who spent some of their formative years in COVID lockdowns and didn’t have as much opportunity for interactive and group play. Through theatre, improv, arts, and cooperative play, the children and their parents spent the past nine weeks preparing for their showcase performance.
You can read more about the program in this Jewish Outlook article: https://shalomaustin.org/2026/03/02/social-players/

We honor those we've lost fighting for our freedom and will never forget their sacrifice.

The Shalom Austin offices are closed May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. For our hours, visit shalomaustin.org/hours