AJC Houston

May is always a time of change and reflection. Our lay leaders and staff didn't⏸️for a moment, hosting close friends, building on relationships and saying goodbye to fantastic partners as many consulates transition in leadership. AJC Houston's work this month put into perspective the importance of our lasting relationships created in Houston.

The second half of May, AJC Houston:
☑️Hosted Ambassador Valérie Baraban
☑️Met with the Cypriot Ambassador alongside lay leaders
☑️Attended goodbye event for Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston, Vitalii Tarasiuk
☑️Hosted award-winning historian, Pamela Nadell for an engaging conversation on her latest book Antisemitism, an American Tradition. The evening included our own presidential leadership transition, welcoming Jack Lascar as board president.
☑️Attended AJC's Global Forum
☑️Partnered on and attended Consular Corps of Houston's inaugural gala
☑️Attended farewell luncheon for Consul General Livia Link-Raviv
☑️Conducted intimate meeting with Philippine Consulate General in Houston

Thank you, to all of our incredible partners and friends. AJC Houston looks forward to staying in touch and supporting your next endeavors.

🇺🇦 🇧🇼 🇮🇹 🇨🇾 🇵🇭 🇮🇱 🇺🇸

Join us to hear from Pamela Nadell, and to honor our Board President David Simon and welcome incoming Board President Jack Lascar!

AJC Houston welcomes national expert on antisemitism in the US The Jewish Herald-Voice - Houston's Jewish Newspaper

The first week of May is done and the AJC Houston hit the ground running 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️⁣
🇹🇼 We held a private meeting with AJC committee members and Houston’s 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗢 team (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office), strengthening relationships and thanking them for Taiwan’s support for Israel post-10/7. ⁣
🕉️🇺🇸 Met with leadership from the Hindu American Foundation⁣
👥 AJC Houston and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a joint program featuring a 🎥 screening of 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯, followed by a beautiful dialogue with Elder Rob Ellis and Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss. 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱, 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 and 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱. ⁣
🇺🇦 Hosted a farewell luncheon honoring Ukrainian Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk. AJC Houston thanks CG Tarasiuk for his friendship, partnership, and steadfast support.

AJC Houston's 2026 Annual Fundraiser celebrating 80 Years of Impact was a monumental success! Attendees walked away with actionable work that can be carried into our daily lives.

The event honored 80 years of AJC Houston Presidents with a deeply honest conversation moderated by Director Rachel Schneider featuring Emmanuel Acho, Rothko Chapel’s Abdullah Antepli, and Congregation Beth Yeshurun’s Rabbi Brian Strauss. The program perfectly demonstrated how people with different life experiences and beliefs can respectfully sit and engage in meaningful conversations.

Our objective cannot be forcing someone to agree with your opinion. To begin the road to understanding first we need to listen, learn and gain perspective from one another. Thank you to those who attended.
📸credit: © Daniel Ortiz Photography

A special thanks to our Host Committee and Sponsors:
Barbara and Ron Brounes
Iris Fisherman
Martha and Donald Freedman
Ann and J. Kent Friedman
Rae and Rich Friedman
Sharon and Bobby Krumholz
Eve and Bobby Lapin
Ana Bojanini and Jack Lascar
Norri and Jason Leder
Velva G. Levine
Esther and Gary Polland
Regina Rogers
Susan and Stanley Schneider
Debbie and David Simon
Lauren Smith
Robin Stein
Barbara Winthrop and Jay Steinfeld
Irene Weingarten and Richard Wolf
Helene and Dror Zadok

H-E-B, Martha and Don Freedman, Jake and Nina Kamin Foundation,
Cyvia Wolff, Lori and Jay Dushkin/Anissa and Reid Friedman/Alma and Dr. Tom Garcia/Carla Diaz-Lewis and Kenneth Lewis/Tami and Gregg Sheena, Rae and Rich Friedman/Barbara Winthrop and Jay Steinfeld, Ana Bojanini and Jack Lascar,
Ora and Irwin Levowitz, Lauren and Oren Marouni, Ed and Debbie Rochman/Roger and Iris Rochman, Debbie and David Simon,
Helene and Dror Zadok, Harmony Public Schools, Like Minds Talk, Memorial Hermann, and Media Sponsors Jewish Herald-Voice and Houston Style Magazine.

“Stop what you’re doing and check on your Jewish friends.” - Emmanuel Acho

At a time of rising antisemitism, voices like Emmanuel Acho’s matter more than ever.

Known for sparking national conversations on race, identity, and understanding, he’s now using his platform to shine a light on the Jewish experience and the power of allyship.

This isn’t just another speaking event.

It’s a conversation you can’t afford to miss.

Be in the room with AJC Houston on April 15.

Registration ends Sunday: AJC.org/houston/80years

AJC Houston was honored to meet with Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder and German Embassy Washington Ambassador Jens Hanefeld on their historic visit to Texas and thank them for their support of Israel and the Jewish communities around the globe.

Special thanks to German Consulate General Houston for putting together such a fantastic Texas-style celebration!

Passover is a time of rejoicing, renewal, and gratitude for the blessings of freedom.

As we gather to celebrate this meaningful holiday, we reflect on the enduring strength, resilience, and hope of the Jewish people, and give thanks for the joys and freedoms we are able to share today.

Please enjoy photos of this year’s Multifaith Community Seder with our partners at Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, ADL Southwest, Evelyn Rubenstein JCC and HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON

AJC Houston Director Rachel Schneider had an OpEd published in the Houston Chronicle this week on the recent attack at her childhood synagogue in Michigan. Drawing on her personal connection to the congregation, Rachel underscores a painful reality that for many American Jews, the fear of antisemitism is a factor in everyday decisions.

“When a synagogue is attacked, the ripple effects extend to Jewish families everywhere who see themselves reflected in those headlines.”

I sent my son to a Jewish pre-K. I shouldn’t have to worry it’ll be attacked. It is not just a Jewish problem when children need armed guards to attend preschool.

Tuesday night 𝗔𝗝𝗖 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻, along with partnering orgs, had the pleasure of presenting 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗮 for another fantastic installment of 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘳. ⁣
⁣
In a rare and intimate setting, attendees were able to hear Dr. Grotta speak on his extensive research, drug and collaborative advancements in the neurology and stroke fields. The group was touched by Dr. Grotta’s passion/ advancements in the stroke field and thrilled to see the Mobile Stroke Unit in person 🚑 🧠 🥼

Grateful for everyone who attended and our partners!