InsideConnections

SUMMER FUN AT J CAMPS

SUMMER DAY CAMP SPECIAL

DIALOGUES 2012: SUMMER IN THE CITY

A ROOM WITH A VIEW: 2012 CSB RECAP

ERJCC ANNUAL MEETING

MACCABI TEAM HOUSTON ROSTER

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BY THE JCC ASSOCIATION

SPRING 2012

ummer fun at the ERJCC may have a new name, but make no mistake that it is the same quality summer day camp that

thousands of children will get to experience again this summer. The ERJCC is offering new camps this summer to 3rd – 5th graders such as Water Skiing, Scuba Diving and Golf. All camps are off site and include transportation. All J Camps for kindergarten though second grade will have daily instructional swim by Red Cross trained instructors. “Summer is right around the corner and we’re adding new activities to some of our camps,” said Randy Comensky, ERJCC Camp Director.

“The difference between our Summer Day Camp and other camps around the city is the quality of our caring and experienced staff as well as including instructional swimming to all campers younger than third grade.” When it comes to versatility the

SERJCC is the best option for parents who want to choose how many weeks their children attend J Camps and what skills they want their children to acquire. This summer’s camp lineup includes more than 50 options with numerous themes including favorites such as Art, Sports, Tennis, Circus, Equestrian, Gymnastics and Cooking. The ERJCC also offers traditional day camps for preschoolers through 2nd grade such as Camp Bami, Kinder Camp and Camp Kaleidoscope.Swimming is not only a daily, recre-ational activity in all camps, but also a daily instructional lesson for every child between the ages of 3-7 years old. The ERJCC camp swim instructors are certified in safety and quality by the American Red Cross and maintain a 1:4 instructor/child ratio. “At the ERJCC, kids can enjoy summertime fun in a traditional camp setting and at the same time learn how to swim or sharpen their skills. Kids who don’t know how to swim are given personalized instruction (or small groups) to help them get the confidence they need,” said Susan Heyl, parent and ERJCC Children and Camping Committee Chair. J Camps runs May 29 - August 24.

Judaic enrichment is interspersed throughout all camps. The ERJCC has been giving children the ultimate summer day camp experience for more than 60 years.

At the ERJCC, kids can enjoy summertime fun in a traditional camp

setting and at the same time learn how to swim or sharpen their

skills. Kids who don’t know how to swim are given personalized

instruction (or small groups) to help them get the confidence they need.

For more information about J Camps, contact Randy Comensky at rcomensky@erjcchouston.org or call the camp office at 713.551.7208.

—Susan Heyl, parent and ERJCC Children and Camping Committee Chair

NEW NAME S A M ESummer Fun!

summerspecials

super hot

only at

HOT SUMMER DEALS MAKE ERJCC THE PLACE TO BE!

CAMP / POOL / FITNESSLimited Time Specials thru May 31

ERJCC Membership Required for Camp

$199 Summer Family Pool Membership does not include camp access

Add $75/month and receive Summer Fitness & Tennis membership and enjoy unlimited access to over 50 FREE drop-in fitness classes weekly.

...........................................................................

Two easy ways to become a member!

1Children’s Membership only $28/monthMembership based on 12 mos. Includes camp access. First year joining fees apply.

2Summer Family Pool & Camp Membership $398 Includes camp access. No joining fee. Not valid for Fitness & Tennis.

DJ MUSIC | GAMES | PRIZE DRAWINGS | FROZEN TREATS

NEW! Starfish Refresher CourseThis class is designed for the 2 year old beginner swimmer. Emphasis on adjusting to group situation, water acclimation and developing independent movement in the water on the front, side and back. Min 2/Max 3.

T/TH 4:00 - 4:30 PM May 1 - May 24 8 classes $140 STARRS

LEVEL 1 3 - 6 YRSFor children with little or no water experience. Children willbecome comfortable in the water, learn water safety skills andbasic swimming. Each child will be provided a reusable waterswim diaper which is included in the class fee. Min 4/Max 6.

M/W 3:00 - 3:30 PM April 30 - May 23 8 classes $140 LV1T/TH 4:00 - 4:30 PM May 1 - May 24 8 classes $140 LV1A

LEVEL 2 4 - 11 YRSFor children who are comfortable in the water, have basic swimming knowledge and are able to go underwater without support. Children will learn front crawl, back crawl and beginning butterfly stroke. Min 4/Max 6

M/W 3:30 - 4:00 PM April 30 - May 23 8 classes $140 LV2T/TH 3:30 - 4:00 PM May 1 - May 24 8 classes $140 LV2A

LEVEL 3 5 - 11 YRSFor children who can swim 10 yards, front crawl, back crawl,and beginning butterfly. Children will learn breaststroke andwork on stroke refinement with distance. This class will alsoprepare swimmers for the FROGS Swim Team. Min 4/Max 6.

M/W 4:00 - 4:30 PM April 30 - May 23 8 classes $140 LV3T/TH 4:00 - 4:30 PM May 1 - May 24 8 classes $140 LV3A

REFRESHER COURSE PROGRAMSERJCC SWIM ACADEMY

$99 Individual Pool Membership

his summer the ERJCC will bring together some of the brightest minds for Dialogues 2012 on Thursday, June 14.

Dialogues 2012 is a special evening where guests are treated to a seated dinner with conversation facilitated by a Table Host of notoriety, representing a particular field of interest. Committee chair, Barbara Marcus, and co-chair, Rosanne Kaufmann, have recruited a variety of table hosts including: County Judge Ed Emmett, Chef Matt Marcus of the Eatsie Boys, child actor Grant Goodman, social media specialist Brian Block, Cressandra Thibodeaux of 14 Pews, Arthur Schecter and Fred Zeidman political adversaries; Fashion Diva Roz Pactor, entrepreneur Janet Gurwitch and KHOU news anchor Courtney Zubowski. Barbara and Al Marcus hosted committee members to a kick-off reception in their home, featuring a sampling of the Grateful Bread’s best

Tnibbles. New Committee members Rhoda Goldberg, Jay Steinfeld, Deborah Kaplan, Helen Lesartre and Elizabeth Kaufmann generated an exciting list of potential hosts

representing the arts, business, sports, politics, education, food and wine, social media, entertainment, personali-ties and Houston society. “We’re very excited about the caliber and variety of our new Committee members this year,” said Barbara Marcus. “We aim for a variety of hot topics and new hosts to keep the offerings fresh and trendy each year. And new Committee members always have new ideas and contacts to bring to the table.” When guests send in their reservations, they send in their first three choices of Table Hosts. Tables

WE AIM FOR A VARIETY OF HOT TOPICS AND NEW HOSTS TO KEEP THE OFFERINGS FRESH AND TRENDY EACH YEAR. AND NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALWAYS HAVE NEW IDEAS AND CONTACTS TO BRING TO THE TABLE.

are filled on a first come, first served basis, with 9-10 guests at each table. Couples can choose to sit together or with different Table Hosts, based on their unique areas of interests.

The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a wine reception followed by a three-course Kosher, seated dinner at 7:00 p.m. The Table Host acts as a facilitator, presenting information on one’s field of expertise, followed by questions and conversation amongst the table guests. It is always a fun evening with lots of positive energy in the room. The event is limited to ten tables and the first 90 guests to control the noise level and ensure an intimate feeling for all. For more information, contact Gayle Rockoff at 713.595.8171 or Janey Finger at 713.729.3200, Ext. 3209.

SUMMER IN THE CITYANOT

HER

MAIMONIDES on the Issues of Our Times

Instructor: Amy D. GoldsteinFour Wednesdays Beginning May 97:30 – 8:30 PM$36 Member / $45 Public

One of Judaism’s greatest thinkers, Moses Maimonides, addressed the most pressing issues of his own times for Jews - many of which reflect concerns today. His life experience and writings included addressing the challenge of radical Islam, conversion, women’s issues, anti-Semitism, interfaith relations, secular versus religious education, Jewish communal responsibility and medical ethics. We will explore these and other related topics in Maimonides’ writings such as his Mishneh Torah, Guide for the Perplexed, various letters and other writings.

Amy D. Goldstein holds a Masters in Jewish Cultural History specializing in Sephardic Jewry from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she pursued her doctoral studies. For more than 20 years she applied this knowledge while working for such organizations as Hadassah, AIPAC, the Anti-Defamation League and B’nai B’rith International - all the while teaching about the history and culture of the Jewish people.

Center for Jewish Living & Learning Scholar Series

Dr. Stephen BerkThursday, April 26 ● 7:30 PM (Folloing the Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration)

$10 Member / $15 Public (per lecture)

Three Who Made Israel: Weizmann, Ben Gurion and Begin

The Last Century that Shattered the World and Transformed the Jewish PeopleDr. Stephen Berk is the Henry and Sally Schaffer Chair in Holocaust and Jewish Studies at Union College in Schenectady, NY. This lecture will consider how these early statesmen both created the first modern, Jewish state and changed the socio-political reality of the Middle East and the World post the Second World War.

Steven Spielberg in HistoryThursday, May 24 • 7:30 PM This lecture will explore how three of Spielberg’s films: Schindler’s List, Amistad and Saving Private Ryan can be

used as a valuable window into modern his-tory and how these films changed the world’s perception of the modern Jewish experience.

3rd Annual Teen Visual Art Exhibition

April 22 – June 1

For the 3rd year, the ERJCC Deutser Art Gallery will exhibit original works by local Jewish teenagers. This year, the exhibit will open with the J Teen Art Scene: Showcase for (e)ART(H), an all-day arts festival showcasing teenage artistic talents across many platforms.

upcoming cjll events

Yom Ha’atzmaut(Israel Independence Day)

FREE Community Celebration at the ERJCC

Thursday, April 26 ● 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Rock Climbing / Face Painting

Camel rides / Games & crafts

Food & carnival snacks (free 1/2 pita falafel as long as supplies last,

drinks available for purchase)

Israeli folk dancing

Israeli animation short “Ben Gurion Hosting” (for adults)

SUMMER ISRAELI FILM SHOWCASEDon’t miss this annual premiere of three of Israel’s greatest films from the past year. View one film each month this summer.

This showcase is the best way to take a trip to Israel…at the movies! To register contact Nomi Barancik

at 713.729.3200 ext. 3208 or nbarancik@erjcchouston.org

ANN & STEPHEN KAUFMAN JEWISH EDUCATION FUND In Honor of Sandy Chaskin’s Speedy Recovery – Kathy and Stephen ParvenIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Debbie Goodman

BERTHA ALYCE CENTER ANNUAL GIVING FUNDIn Honor of Abraham’s Birthday – Gary FruhmanIn Honor of Michelle Friedman – Sara and Ron RalphIn Honor of Lauren and Elliot Getz – Yvonne De LeefIn Honor of Amalya A. Patrick – Cynthia and David PatrickIn Honor of Shira and Talia Babajanov – Maytal and Daniel BabajanovIn Honor of Haley Fingeret – Susan and Alan CororveIn Honor of Sam Glina – Mel and Dan GlinaIn Honor of Lincoln Tigerman – Susan and Izhak GrinbaumIn Honor of Rayna Laufman – Robin LaufmanIn Honor of Riley Most – Mira and Darry TemkinIn Honor of Benjamin Adachi – Karen J. VigilIn Honor of Isabella Adachi – Karen J. VigilIn Honor of Blair and Aerin Carstensen – Helen and Richard WolfIn Honor of Walker Cable – Jennifer and Alan CableIn Honor of Isabel Kariel – Rene and Jason KarielIn Honor of Drayden and Bren Johnson – Jennifer KrohnIn Honor of Henry Rorai – Dawn and Tony RoraiIn Memory of Rosalind Horwitz – LivHomeIn Honor of Beryt and Ezra – Adrienne and David ScottIn Honor of Isabel Kariel – Cindy and David Lipshutz

BUNNY & LEO HORVITZ SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE FUNDIn Memory of William Nezmin – Shirley and Sigmund HorvitzIn Memory of Manny Kaplan – Shirley and Sigmund HorvitzIn Honor of Bunny & Leo Horvitz – Orna and Jacob Tsabar

DANCE MONTHIn Honor of Maxine Silberstein – Ed J. SmithIn Honor of Joanne and Donald Brodsky – Terry and Martin Cominsky

ELLEN BONIUK EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUNDIn Honor of Dr. Stephen Wallach – Bonnie and Marc Kasner

EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JCC HOUSTON FUNDIn Honor of Stanley Rosenblatt’s Retirement – Nancy and Steve LernerIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Julie and Ronnie Stein

GENERAL TRIBUTE FUNDIn Memory of Manny Kaplan – Karen and David WolfIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Abigail Neiman and Marshall LevitIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Carol and Michael GoldbergIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Stephanie and M. David OdleIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Ann and Stephen KaufmanIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Sherry and Gerald MerfishIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Barbara and Raymond Kalmans

In Memory of Rachel Wallach’s Grandmother – Sharon and Gerald LadermanIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Martha and Don FreedmanIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Helen CharskiIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Liz and Ron OppenheimerIn Honor of Joanne and Donald Brodsky – Barbara and Raymond KalmansIn Honor of Edith and Bob Zinn – Veda Mae and Morris GlesbyIn Honor of Jack Turk – Veda Mae and Morris GlesbyIn Honor of Gerald Merfish – Alan Eisenman, John Rubin, Arnie Miller, Alan Law, Max Blankfield, Mark Huvard, Carl SchmulenIn Honor of Bobby Lapin – David Polatsek

GERALD RAUCH MEMORIAL FUNDIn Memory of Marvin Kaplan – Lila RauchIn Honor of Fern Granowitz’s Birthday – Lila RauchIn Honor of Sally Fuch’s Birthday – Lila RauchIn Honor of Elaine Proler’s Birthday – Lila RauchIn Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Fuch’s Anniversary – Lila Rauch

HARRIS WEINGARTEN OUTDOOR TENNIS CENTER FUNDIn Honor of Emily and Albert Stein’s Anniversary – Cherill and Maurice Dubinski

HARRY K. SMITH MEALS ON WHEELS FUNDIn Honor of Walter Hecht – Carol and Desey DesenbergIn Memory of Dinah Wuntch – Sandy and Joseph KirkIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Saundra and Jack TurkIn Honor of Shirley Toomim – Ellen and Stephen Robinson

In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gold – Wendy and Steven SchwartzIn Honor of Harvey Reiter – Leanne and Mark ReiterIn Honor of Penny Murphy & Jim Lanclos’ Wedding – Diann ResnickIn Honor of Aaron Resnick – Diann ResnickIn Honor of Barry Lewis – Carol and Desey DesenbergIn Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Max Levit – Carol and Desey DesenbergIn Honor of Mr. Melford Meyers – Carol and Desey Desenberg

IRVIN KAPLAN CHILDREN’S SCHOLARSHIP FUNDIn Honor of Rick Stein – Holthouse Foundation for KidsIn Honor of the Scholarship Ball Honorees – Francine and Bradley Beckman In Honor of Elizabeth Cohen and Mark Toubin – Meryl and Murry CohenIn Honor of Sam Stolbun – Phillip LadinIn Honor of Sam Stolbun – Ronald Ladin In Honor of Doug Foshee – Petrello Family FoundationIn Honor of Bobbi Samuels – Kelli Cohen and Martin FeinIn Honor of Kenneth J. Simon – Cindy and Bill Warner In Honor of Bobbi Samuels – Linda May and John Morrison In Honor of Bobbi Samuels – Janet and Jeff PozmantierIn Honor of Bobbi Samuels – Ayala and Ami SamuelsIn Honor of Bobbi Samuels – Julia and Jack MazowIn Honor of Bobbi Samuels – Julie and Andrew AlexanderIn Honor of Elizabeth Cohen and Mark Toubin – Liz and Ron OppenheimerIn Honor of Bobbi Samuels – Stephen ReinerIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Julie and John Gilbert

Tributes We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our many individual, corporate and foundation donors whose generous ongoing support helps the ERJCC continue to be a vital community asset.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

he Evelyn Ruben-stein Jewish Com-munity Center’s 22nd Annual Children’s Scholar-ship Ball welcomed over 500 guests

to the Westin Galleria on Saturday, March 3 for an evening of “Tuscan style” entertainment that raised a record amount of over $600,000 for the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholar-ship Fund. Beginning with a cocktail reception replete with street artists, a Roman “living statue,” and delectable antipasto bar, guests then entered the exquisitely-designed ballroom featuring colors of the Tuscan sky, grass, sun and grapes. While natural spiraled cypress trees offset the stage adorned with a backdrop of the Tuscan countryside and lush greenery, the draped dance floor resplendent with soft, colored lighting and more natural foliage formed “Club Arno” at the opposite end of the Ballroom. The black tie event honored long-time ERJCC community leader Bobbi Samuels, Managing Partner of

Tthe Locke Lord LLP Houston Office; Ken Simon; and President and CEO of El Paso Corporation, Doug Foshee. An inspiring video entitled, “In the Presence of Our Future,” highlighted the Honorees’ dedication and passion to children’s and educational causes, as well as the important work performed at the ERJCC and its Bertha Alyce Early Childhood Center and The Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood Center on the West Houston campus. The Honorees received the awards from their respective Honorary Chairs, ERJCC Past President and community leader Ann Kaufman for Bobbi Samuels, The Friedkin Group President Marc Watts for Ken Simon, and KIPP Co-Founder and Houston Superintendent Michael Feinberg for Doug Foshee. After which, the Honorees shared their thoughts on education, community activism, family, and the importance of the ERJCC’s scholarship program. “Each day our Honorees and Honorary Chairs work to make children’s lives better through their many community commitments and ability to motivate others to

CHILDREN’S SCHOLARSHIP BALL2012

2012 Honoree Bobbi Samuels with Honorary Chair Ann Kaufman and husbands, ERJCC Past Presidents Vic Samuels and Stephen Kaufman

Michael Feinberg, Ann Kaufman, Doug Foshee, Bobbi Samuels, Ken Simon, Marc Watts, ERJCC Executive Director Joel Dinkin, Elizabeth Cohen and Mark Toubin

Honorary Chair Marc Watts with 2012 Honoree Ken Simon

2012 Honoree Doug Foshee with Honorary Chair Michael Feinberg

JEWISH ARTS AND CULTURE FUNDIn Memory of Betty Brourman Dinkin – Marcia and Stanley KatzIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Rochelle and Lee WunschIn Honor of Susie Askanase’s 70th Birthday – Lorraine and Alexander Dell

MACCABI 2012 GAMES FUNDIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Sherry and Lenny Dubin In Memory of Betty Dinkin – Mardi and Mark KunikIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Debbie and Stuart DiamondIn Honor of Marilyn Hassid – Debbie and Stuart DiamondIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Mindy and Barry Levinson In Memory of Betty Dinkin – Kathy and Stephen Parven In Memory of Betty Dinkin – Gayle and Richard RockoffIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Nancy and Steve LernerIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Michelle and Robert PerchonokIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Betsy and Ed SchreiberIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Marsha and Stanley RosenblattIn Honor of Glenn Lowenstein – Shari and Daniel SpierIn Memory of Joel Mandel – Sherry and Lenny Dubin

MARILYN HASSID JEWISH BOOK FAIR EMERGING AUTHOR FUNDIn Honor of Judy Weil – Susan and Ed Septimus

MARILYN LANDSBERG STEINER PRE-SCHOOL FUNDIn Memory of Josephine Eskanos – Shirley and Sonny LandsbergIn Memory of Arnold Leanse – Shirley and Sonny LandsbergIn Memory of Arnold Levine – Shirley and Sonny LandsbergIn Memory of Morton Gart – Shirley and Sonny Landsberg

MELTON MINI SCHOOL FUNDIn Memory of Cantor Mark Levine’s Mother – Michelle and Jim DannemillerIn Memory of Cantor Mark Levine’s Mother – Renee and Alan Helfman

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

................................................................................Elton and Janet Lipnick, David Lipnick, and Myles and Amy Kelman underwrite Shabbat Dinners in memory of Paul Lipnick, an active senior participant, so that other active adults can enjoy the traditional meal and meaningful service to usher in Shabbat. Paul Lipnick enjoyed dining with friends, and his family has chosen this special way to honor his memory.

.............................................................................................PLEASE NOTE: Names and organizations listed in this newsletter reflect donations received by March 23, 2012. Great care has been exercised to ensure the proper recognition of our donors. If an error or omission does occur, we apologize and hope you will bring it to our attention. Please address all corrections with the Develop-ment Office, 713.729.3200, ext. 3103 or mrathers@erjcchouston.org.

For corrections or to make a donation visit the

Support the ERJCC tab on our website or call the

Development Office at 713.729.3200 ext. 3103.

In Memory of Cantor Mark Levine’s Mother – Elyse Kunick In Memory of Cantor Mark Levine’s Mother – Barbara and Jay RosenfeldIn Memory of Cantor Mark Levine’s Mother – Nancy Stern

MIKE GROSSMAN/JUDY RICHKER MACCABI SCHOL-ARSHIP FUNDIn Memory of Rena Katz – Selma and Jorge Guttin In Memory of William Nemzin – Selma and Jorge GuttinIn Memory of Ruth Backrach – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Carl Seltzer – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Eva Grevsky – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of David Haimovich – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Rena Katz – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of William K. Nemzin – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Bertha Grevsky Kaplan – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Lionel Roberts – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Esther Sadoff – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Phillip Rose – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Irvin Leder –Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Dr. Maryon Ruchelman – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Ida Bauer Robinson – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Paul Brochstein – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Memory of Darryl Edelman – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Honor of Judy Yambra – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Honor of Richard Kammerman – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Honor of Hope Lipnick – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Honor of Greg Lewis – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Honor of Malcolm Slatko – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Honor of Steven Croft, M.D. – Vicky and Michael RichkerIn Honor of Sanford Herskovitz – Vicky and Michael Richker

OLIVER LAPIN CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR FUNDIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Eve and Bobby Lapin

SENIOR ADULT MITVAH FUNDIn Memory of Phil Kraus – Ethel Shocket

SOPH & AL NATKIN STARS PROGRAMIn Honor of Sandy Chaskin’s Recovery – Linda and Jerry Rubenstein

STARS PROGRAMIn Memory of Betty Dinkin – Linda and Andrew Burger

Recognize special

lifecycle events with

a tribute to support

a program or fund

at the ERJCC. A gift

can be made for a

birthday, anniversary,

promotion, sympathy,

holiday, graduation,

wedding, new baby,

bar/bat mitzvah

and more.

Roman “living statue”

entertained guests

during the cocktail

reception.

do the same,” said Ball Co-Chair Mark Toubin. Added Mark’s Co-Chair and wife, ERJCC Vice President Elizabeth Cohen, “We could not be any more grateful for Doug, Bobbi, and Ken. Their impact on the lives of young people at the ERJCC, as well as the greater Houston community, cannot be calculated.” The Ball’s online and silent auctions raised additional scholar-ship funds due to the community’s generosity and the hard work of Auction Chair Lauren Kaufman Blachman and her committee. Lauren

re-introduced the “Big Board” concept but with a high-tech twist; creating a “live electronic auction” that enabled guests to bid via wireless, iPad-like touch-screen tablets. This newly-add-ed feature resulted in higher bids for the 13 luxury items including a $5,000 Zadok’s gift certificate; a realistic,

custom-built playhouse by Cronin Builders and Hollenbeck Architects; a $1,000 Reliant Energy gift certificate; a Tootsies $1,000 shopping spree and fashion show; and a NYC trip for four including round-trip airfare on United Airlines with luxury hotel accommo-dations and tickets to see “The View,”

“Live with Kelly,” and a late-night talk show host. Following dinner, guests partook in “la dolce vita” — a mouth-watering dessert bar featuring mini-tiramisu, colorful meringue cookies and kosher gelato, and snapped a few photos backed by a gorgeous Tuscan land-

scape. The evening concluded with dancing in the cozy “Club Arno.” “Elizabeth Cohen and Mark Toubin really gave the community a night to remember,” said ERJCC President Sam Stolbun. “Our dedicated Ball Chairs, their committee, our Honorees and Honorary Chairs and ERJCC

“Each day our Honorees and Honorary Chairs work to make

children’s lives better through their many community com-

mitments and ability to motivate others to do the same.”

staff all contributed towards creating the most successful Ball to date.” Proceeds of the Ball benefit the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholarship Fund, named in memory of one of the Houston Jewish community’s most outstanding public servants, Irvin Kaplan. Providing financial assistance to families of all religions, races and origins, the fund enables all children access to the outstanding ERJCC children’s programs including infant care, preschool, summer day camp, special needs and after school care. Since its inception over two decades ago, The Children’s Scholar-ship Ball has generated approximately $8 million in scholarship assistance to children, allowing the ERJCC to ensure that no family in need of financial assistance is ever turned away. And though this year’s Ball is now concluded, the need to help our chil-dren remains. Please contact Michele Rathers in the Development Office at the ERJCC at 713.729.3200 ext. 3103, or visit www.erjcchouston.org, for more information and to contribute to the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholar-ship Fund.

Vic and Bobbi Samuels with their grandchildren – Megan, Leah, Nathaniel, Gabby, Mimi Zachary and Ethan - who sang the HaMotzi.

Past Honorees Roslyn Fuchs Haikin and Nancy Lerner with husbands Ricky Haikin and Steve Lerner

2012 Auction Chair Lauren Kaufman Blachman with parents Honorary Chair and ERJCC Past President, Ann Kaufman, and ERJCC Past President Stephen Kaufman

ALL PHOTOS BY MARK KATZ

LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

he ERJCC of Houston will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. This year’s meeting will mark

the beginning of 76 years of com-mitted service to the Houston Jewish community. New board members will be elected and leaders and contribu-tors will be recognized for outstanding service, leadership and community impact. The annual meeting will pro-vide an opportunity to hear reports on events of the past year and projections for the future. ERJCC President Sam Stolbun will speak about his first year as President of the ERJCC. “The ERJCC has continued to push forward, guided by its mission to bringing Jewish values to life and building a strong, active and sustain-able Jewish community,” said Stolbun.

“We are proud that we have been able to increase the level of scholarship assistance so that families impacted by this difficult economy continue to

his spring the Jewish Community Center Stage Performing Arts will perform Alice in Wonderland. This is an

incredible experience for 16 young actors in grades 3-7. Eva De La Cruz will be directing the Spring JCCS production of Alice in Wonderland, a show Eva has directed before. Eva will be working with Assistant Director, Kendahl Atkinson and Musical Director, Bill Bartlett. Alice in Wonderland is based on the 1951 Walt Disney film.

his year the ERJCC has launched “Mishpacha and

Me: Jewish Experiences for Young Children and their

Families,” a series of Judaic outreach events taking

place at family-friendly venues around Houston.

Geared for families with children between the ages of 0-6

years old, Mishpacha and Me events give young families the

opportunity to celebrate Jewish festivals and events togeth-

er. In the past few months, Mishpacha and Me has celebrated

Tu B’shevat at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and

Cockrell Butterfly Center, Purim at Wonderwild in the Heights,

and Passover at the Children’s Museum. More than 50 fami-

lies from around the Houston community have shared their

Jewish experiences with one another. For more information

on Mishpacha and Me, please contact Children’s Program

Coordinator, Gillian Richter, at grichter@erjcchouston.org

or 713.729.3200 ext. 3256.

T

T

participate in our exceptional childcare, preschool and camping programs.” The program will highlight the creativity and leadership of several key members of the community. The Selection Committee, chaired by Bobby Lapin and Karol Musher, is pleased to announce the 2012 recipi-ent of the David H. White award is Carol Goldberg. “We are thrilled to honor Carol for her outstanding volunteer commit-ment and legacy of great leadership,” said ERJCC Executive Vice President Joel Dinkin. ERJCC staff member Rachel Wallach will be presented the Jerry Wische Staff Excellence Award and Jack Turk will receive the Stanley Rosenblatt Volunteer Excellence Award. The evening will also include the election of officers, presentation of awards, and highlighting the Agency’s community building initiatives. Visit www.erjcchouston.org for more information about our upcoming 76th Annual Meeting.

THE ERJCC HAS CONTINUED

TO PUSH FORWARD, GUIDED

BY ITS MISSION TO BRINGING

JEWISH VALUES TO LIFE AND

BUILDING A STRONG, ACTIVE

AND SUSTAINABLE JEWISH

COMMUNITY. WE ARE PROUD

THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE

TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF

SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE

SO THAT FAMILIES IMPACTED

BY THIS DIFFICULT ECONOMY

CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE

IN OUR EXCEPTIONAL CHILD-

CARE, PRESCHOOL AND

CAMPING PROGRAMS.

David H. White, who died on January 12, 1972, rep-

resented the finest in Jewish life. He left a legacy of

love for his family, service to his community, and a

heritage characterized by a deep devotion to equal

rights for all mankind. In view of his unique role in

the community, this living memorial was estab-

lished by the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community

Center as an annual award to a man or woman

whose service to the Jewish community of Houston

reflects the highest integrity, love for one’s fellow

man and commitment to the ideals of Jewish life.

CELEBRATING 76 YEARS OF JEWISH JOURNEYS

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Carol Goldberg Selected to Receive the David H. White Award

TJoin Alice’s madcap adventures in Wonderland as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game. Enjoy this fast-paced stage adaptation featuring many of the classic songs like “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” The JCCS production of Alice in Wonderland will take place at the

Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Com-munity Center Kaplan Theater

on Thursday, May 3 at 7:00 PM, Sunday May 6 at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM The actors are children from all over our community who take

part in the ERJCC Children’s theater program.

JCCS PRESENTS

www.brownpapertickets.comFor reserved tickets visit

and look for the Alice in Wonderland

PLEASE SUPPORT

OUR WONDERFUL

ACTORS BY TAKING

IN A SHOW:

Naomi Alberts, Emma Arriaga, Brianna Burgan, Olivia Dadoun,

Katie Faour, Rachel Feldman, Karli Fisher, Noah Friedman,

Max Hoffman, Rachel Levine, Sarah Levine, Julia Minkowitz,

Samara Moll, Katherine Solberg, Julia Strug and Daisy Walters

ERJCC ANNUAL MEETINGMAY 17, 2012, 7:00 PM

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM HOUSTON!

MAJOR SPONSORS

‘LIKE’ US ONFACEBOOK!

ATHLETES

Ross Aaronson

Dylan Agnich

Samantha Agnich

Tomas Aisenberg

Joshua Alevy

Daniel Amran

Rachel Amran

Lauren Applebaum

Ciara Appelbaum

Meagan Applebaum

Jacob Arnold

Alyssa Arnold

Ian Arzt

Amanda Atzil

Michael Barsky

Reagan Bazarsky

Will Bazarsky

Anabella Berti

Scott Bickart

Brandon Binder

Harrison Biro

Dylan Bishop

Nathan Bishop

Benjamin Blachman

Joseph Blanga

Lennie Blatt

Grear Blitzer

Jonathan Blum

Hersh Bootin

Ryan Brandt

Belle Bressler

Lindsey Bronston

Ryan Bronston

Ariel Brown

Brianna Burgan

Jake Chotiner

Tyler Cohen

Alyssa Cohen

Sarah Cohen

Caroline Cweren

Melissa Darlow

Jenni Daum

Evan Diebner

Ashley Doctor

Jordan Dokell

Tomer Downing

Jonathan Downing

Logan Elitzky

Natalie Engel

Bucky Engel

Joe Engelhart

Ian Estes

Liam Faigen

Daniel Feldman

Jake Feldman

Annie Ferdman

Richard Fielkow

Priya Fink

Kelly Finnerman

Zachary Fleishman

Jonathan Flusberg

Sean Folloder

Sarah Friedman

Tyler Gehring

Ellie Gershenwald

Sophie Gershenwald

Alex Ghelman

Yael Ghelman

Doug Ginsberg

Adam Glombicki

Meagan Glover

Shelby Glover

Jeffrey Gold

Jordan Goldberg

Natalie Goldberg

Melissa Goldblatt

Hannah Golub

Orly Golub

Danielle Golub

Brandon Gomel

Andrew Gomel

Sam Goodfriend

Rachel Goodman

Jonathan Gorell

Kyra Goren

Ervin Graubard

Isabel Graubart

COACHES

Jeff Abrahams

Marty Applebaum

Dave Barsky

Kelly Bormaster

Michael Borrel

Matt Caplan

Jordan Dubin

Jordon Emmott

Alli Feinstein

Marc Hanfling

Craig Hersh

Michael Hirschfield

Ashley Horn

Taylor Hunt

Rick Kaplan

Melanee Kaplan

Juan Kopinsky

Esther Graves

Abby Greenbaum

Jake Greenberg

Jillian Greenberg

Jacob Grzebinski

Sarah Grzebinski

Jonathan Gurvey

Megan Haas

Josh Hamat

Taylor Hartman

Collin Hecht

Sofia Heyl

Rebeccah Hoffmann

Greg Holste

Molly Horowitz

Rebecca Kalinsky

Andrew Kalmans

Samuel Kaminsky

Jordan Kaplan

Michael Kaplan

Emily Kaplan

Brooke Kaplan

Dylan Katz

Aaron Katz

Ethan Katz

Sarah Katz

Hannah Kay

Rebecca Klaff

David Kleban

Michael Klein

Mackenzie Kleinman

Sebastian Kopinsky

Matias Kopinsky

Jordan Kreindler

Illan Kunik

Sophia Kuperman

Asaph Kupferman

Gayla Kusin

Ashley Kwartler

Noah Lack

Alec Lapin

Johnny Lefkowitz

Adam Leightman

Matthew Leightman

Rebecca Leisten

Shane Lerner

Zach Lerner

Eliana Lerner

Jeremiah Leventhal

Emily Leventhal

Sammy Levin

Joshua Levy

Mecah Levy

Sean Levy

Akiva Levy

Morgan Levy

Alexandra Lewinbuk

Mallory Lieberman-King

Seth Lieberman-King

Jacob Lighthill

Lauren Liss

Jordan Loev

James Long

Geoffery Lore

Coby Lowenstein

Everett Lowenstein

Jeremy Maislin

Jonathan Maislin

Holden Markoff

Brooke Markowitz

Alyssa Marks

Kaitlyn Massin

Sigal Melnik

Jake Meltzer

Max Mendel

Ethan Middleman

Jenny Miller

Amitai Miller

Joseph Minkowitz

Samantha Minkowitz

Michael Moroz

Rachel Morris

Talya Morris

Justin Moser

Jonathan Moulton

Zach Nathan

Eli Night

Ashton Normand

The JCC Maccabi Games® and ArtsFest® are coming back to Houston! From August 5 - 10, thousands of Jewish teens will meet, compete and have a great time, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Brandon Olifant

Zach Oretsky

Darci Papell

Sophie Pappas

Sean Pappert

Zach Pappert

Jamie Penn

Jordan Penn

Jake Plantowsky

Zack Pokroy

Jake Polansky

Josh Raizner

Kayla Raizner

Dana Ran

Michael Ran

Drayton Ratcliff

Dylan Rich

Larson Riff

Benjamin Roberts

Ashley Rogers

Brandon Roseman

Kacy Rosen

Lauren Rosenberg

Amanda Rosenfield

Katie Rosenkrantz

Jill Rosenkrantz

Adam Rosenthal

Sterling Rosenthal

Max Rosenthal

Holden Rosenthal

Jason Rosenthal

Harrison Rosenthal

Jonathan Rosenzweig

Samuel Ross

Gavin Roth

Zachary Rouah

Zach Roubein

David Roubein

Cameron Rubenstein

Alec Rubenstein

Lauren Rubenstein

Jordan Rutman

Aron Sable

Ryan Sable

Evan Sack

Henry Sarshalom

Alex Schaffer

Sydney Scherer

Grant Schneider

Jamie Schneider

Lauren Schoen

Nicole Schwartz

Lindsey Selzer

Carlos Serna-Cohen

Elle Shaw

Grayson Sheena

Erin Sheena

Meagan Sheena

Sara Shkedy

Lauren Shkolnick

Ari Silverman

Hudson Silverman

Trenton Simmons

Bailey Slawin

Dennis Smirnov

Mikayla Smolensky

Dylan Solomon

Joseph Sondock

Ben Spier

Logan Stalarow

Jonathan Stein

Kyle Stein

Jake Stein

Jake Stern

Sam Stewart

Sara Suttin

Danny Tadmor

Michael Talisman

Avery Thomas

Jillian Ticatch

Avery Tiras

Ryan Tiras

Rachel Totz

Josie Toubin

Andrew Towber

Simone Trevas

Ben Tuchshnieder

Adi Tuchshnieder

Ilana Vines

Andrew Warden

Alex Wasserstrom

Lauren Weinberger

Jamie Weiser

Sam Weiser

Jackie Wertheimer

Lindsay Weycer

Jared Wiesenthal

Jake Yudkin

Holden Zisman

Dylan Zisman

Nicole Zucker

Grant Zucker

ARTISTS

Mitch Chaiet

Rachel C

Sarah C

Anna Epstein

Allan Frederick

Madolyn Friedman

Audrey Goodman

Abraham Hausman-Weiss

Aiden Israel

Holly Kapp

Mika Kol

Sam Linda

Elana Loftspring

Abbie Markowitz

Emery Mintz

Marlo Olifant

Marisa Papell

Hallie Perlman

Ben Portugal

Michael Rosen

Gabrielle Ross

Noah Rubin

Erika Selzer

Bet Suttin

Dikla Taylor-Sheinman

as of print deadline

United Way of Greater Houston

Seeking 500 BedsWelcome at least two visiting teens into your home for the 2012 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest and engage your entire family in this rich, cultural, social, athletic and artistic experience. A few meals, transportation and a comfortable resting place suffice for you to provide the home away from home that the teens will appreciate after long days of athletic competitions, arts master classes, community

service and social events.

HOST A VISITING TEEN

LEND A

HELPING

HAND

The 2012 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest is in need of more than 2,000 volunteers to ensure that all participating teens are fed and hydrated properly, transported safely, connected socially and able to engage in all athletic events and arts classes to the best of their abilities. A wide range of skill sets and expertise are essential. There are opportunities for everyone.

VOLUNTEER! We can’t do this

without you!

“teamhouston” and “jccmaccabihouston”

To become a host family or volunteer, for more information and to register, visit jccmaccabihouston.org.

NOW PRESENTING YOUR 2012 ATHLETES, ARTISTS, COACHES, MACS & DELEGATION HEADS

Cori Leva

Jennifer Leventhal

Louis Lippman

Bruce Loeser

Isaac Malca

Gordon Morrison

Mike Pappert

Ryan Peel

Todd Riff

Jeff Rovinsky

Brittany Sadoff

MACCABI ASSISTANT

COACHES

Lucas Aisenberg

Taylor Bookstaff

Jessie Bursten

Josh Daum

Haley Greenberg

Jordan Hecht

Alex Lampert

Kevin Lefkowitz

Sarah Leisten

Michelle Levine

Brett Levinson

Brandon Levinson

Drew Levy

Dean Melloul

Kase Pappert

Erica Robinson

DELEGATION

HEADS

Lenny Dubin

Dan Edelstein

Debbie Kaplan

ERJCC ANNUAL MEETINGMAY 17, 2012, 7:00 PM

LEADERSHIP

Andy Bursten – Co-Chair

Mindy Levinson – Co-chair

Alan Lipman – Games Supervisor

Ken Leventhal – Games Director

Eric Bishop – Assistant Games Director

Terry Cominsky – Artsfest Vice-Chair

Brittany Horwitt – ArtsFest Director

For a complete list of sponsors go to jccmaccabihouston.org

Sam Robinson

Ryan Sack

Cara Sheena

Jacob Silver

Sarah Skolnick

Ellie Stein

Austin Thomas

Jordan Tiras

Elle Wermuth

Sara Witz

20

12Calendar EventsdMay3 & 6 JCCS Presents Alice In Wonderland

5 & 19 Kids Nite Out

5 Outdoor Pool Open (weekends)

6 4th Annual Houston Family Triathlon

17 ERJCC Annual Meeting

20 An Afternoon of Dance

24 CJLL Scholar Series

26 Erev Shavuot ERJCC closes at 6

27 Shavuot ERJCC Closed

28 ERJCC Reopens at 6

29 Pre-Camp Session 1 Begins

June4 Pre-Camp Session 2 Begins

10 Splash Day

10 J Camps Open House & Meet the Counselors

10 Summer Classes Begin

11 Camp Session 1 Begins

14 Dialogues: Summer in the City

21 Summer Israeli Film Series

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For more information visit erjccouston.org

InsideConnections

SUMMER FUN AT J CAMPS

SUMMER DAY CAMP SPECIAL

DIALOGUES 2012: SUMMER IN THE CITY

A ROOM WITH A VIEW: 2012 CSB RECAP

ERJCC ANNUAL MEETING

MACCABI TEAM HOUSTON ROSTER

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BY THE JCC ASSOCIATION

SPRING 2012

24th A

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Prize S

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FAMILY TRIATHLON

4TH ANNUALTKC/ERJCC

part of the 2012 USAT

To register, visit trikidscamp.org and click ‘imathlete’.

Sunday,May6

at theEvelyn RubensteinJewish CommunityCenter of Houston

RACE STARTS AT

7:30 AMMaximize your race potential by joining Reason2Race.com

{3}RACE DISTANCES:

ONE FOR EVERY

MEMBER OF

THE FAMILY.

INCLUDING MOM

AND DAD!

youth championship

S E R I E S

RegisterToday!

Your patronage of our wonderful sponsors is what puts on our race! Please show them you appreciate them.

Kerry Bloom, DDS Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

www.kerrybloomdds.com

Rita Cammarata, DDS Pediatric Dentistry

www.kids-teeth.com

EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER5601 S. Braeswood | Houston, Texas 77096erjcchouston.org

Like us on Facebook

at Tri Kids Camp

ME

MB

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IP &

RE

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ION