By Alan F. Levin

(Photo of Houston Hillel’s Past Presidents)

In 1975, I was elected to serve as the first president of Houston Hillel.  As President-Elect of the Houston B’nai B’rith Council, I was hoping to secure support from both the local community as well as from Hillel in Washington.  Sadly, the latter was never forthcoming.  For the next several years, our goals were to dress up the limited space we had been granted in the UH Religion Center, obtain interesting programming which would attract “mainstream” Jewish students, provide services for the major Jewish holiday, become a “presence” on campus to offset the growing Arab influence, and, perhaps most of all, be in a position to hire a full time Rabbi.

Those early years were very lonely at the UH Hillel.   My wife, Diane, often went with me as we served food, mingled with the few students who showed up, encouraged dialogue among themselves and began trying to set up a student administration for self governance and planning.  It was during these first meetings that it became clear that without a rabbi the program would have no long term credibility.  We were able to raise about $10,000 in 1975 which represented the entire budget.  This just wasn’t enough to fill the needs and certainly not enough to hire a rabbi.   I therefore called upon an old friend, Rabbi Moshe Cahana, and requested his assistance.  As was always the case, he responded: “HENANI”.  The Rabbi began joining us on campus to meet and mingle.  At first it was only when we invited him, but soon he started coming on his own.  He soon formed relationships with many of the students; they really enjoyed the life lessons he was so happy to teach.  The program responded.

In the next couple of years we were able to raise more money so that Rabbi Cahana could be partially compensated, but he was not able to be our full time Rabbi.  I therefore began approaching the Houston Jewish Federation in request that funds be allocated to Hillel for programming and so that we could finally hire a full time Rabbi.  It took several years, but ultimately, in 1979 just as we were wondering if it would ever happen, the funds were forthcoming.  As a result of the Federation’s recognition (lay leaders and professional staff) of the value of Hillel to some 3,000 students (by then we had expanded not only to include Rice but also the medical schools, nursing schools and graduate schools), we began a national rabbinic search.  It concluded with the hiring of Rabbi Shaul Osadchey who was a guitar playing, bearded, tall, handsome, charismatic Pied Piper type person.  He, almost from the first day,  kicked things into high gear.  More and more students became involved, Hillel’s profile on campus shot up, and the community seemed pleased with the investment it had made in the future of this vitally important organization.

The rest, as they say, is history.  I left office in 1981.  Before stepping down, and with my Board’s full approval, I called upon Judge Alvin Zimmerman, my friend of four decades, in request that he take over the presidency.  Hillel needed to seek more diversified support, and Alvin brought fresh leadership, vision and a whole new segment of the community to lend their time and resources.  He did a fabulous job and, among other important accomplishments, began what I call the “New Era” of Hillel in Houston. Alvin has been followed by one caring, loving, concerned and dedicated leader after another each of whom has been encouraged and assisted by active, vibrant Boards.  Further, Hillel has been blessed with incredible Rabbinic leadership who have provided Yiddishkite, motivation and inspiration.  It has, indeed, been an amazing journey.

On Sunday night, April 25, 2010, Hillel chose to honor all of its past presidents.  As I walked into the gorgeous Hillel Center that evening, observed all those smiling faces representing all segments of our Houston Jewish community, I felt a flush of pride and satisfaction.  It was good–very good.  Diane and I were privileged to help the toddler through an awkward stage, but then others came behind to take it from youth to adolescence and now to majority.  The list of past presidents is so impressive.  These are individuals who appreciate the danger of losing our kids during the college years and the importance of providing a safe, nurturing place for young Jewish people to meet and bond together.  The evening, in a word, was magnificent; however, all of us must be vigilant that there is much more to be done.  Hillel is just now reaching its stride.  The continued support and encouragement of the community is essential if it is to continue to serve to its fullest potential.

For me, flanked by my family, this was a night to remember.  It brought back a plethora of nostalgic recollections, gave me a chance to slap some backs I hadn’t seen in many years, caused me to appreciate the esteem in which Hillel is held here in Houston, but most of all reminded me of its essential mission.  Now that we have looked back to remember the past and its leadership gone by, let us join together to look forward to new leadership, new horizons  and renewed commitment to doing all that we can to see that Houston Hillel achieves its fullest potential.

I extend a hearty Yosher Koach to Rabbi Kenny Weiss, Shirley Cohn and all of the many volunteers who made the evening honoring past presidents so beautiful and memorable.  I also extend congratulations to Daniel Pickelner, outgoing president, and Dr. Ed Septimus the incoming president.  Your leadership, coupled with the vision, energy and continuity provided by Rabbi “Kenny” and your find Board, are certain to continue and enhance the effectiveness and quality of Hillel’s many services to the Houston college/graduate school student community.

Doesn’t seem possible that thirty-five years have passed since Diane and I first crossed the threshold of that meager Hillel office at UH.   So much has changed; yet, so much is the same.  Society is much more sophisticated and complex, but, at the core, the students still need us, and Lord knows we still need them.  They are our future.  The very viability of the Jewish People is at issue.  Hillel trained leadership is certain to step forward as opportunities and needs become apparent in coming years.  My wife and I feel privileged to have played a small role in this ongoing evolution.  The sense of gratification and pride are quite soothing.  For your sake, and that of your children, grandchildren and the generations to follow, call Rabbi “Kenny”; let him know that you would like to become involved.  You will soon see that it feels good–real good!!!

The Chosen Ones after their first win

“The Chosen Ones” have entered into the competitive playing field of kickball in Houston, Texas.  The team sparked from Jewstontexas, Houston Hillel’s programming for Jewish grad students and young professionals in their twenties.  Andrew Rochman and Julia Paeglis recruited and organized a team of fifteen Jewish young professionals to participate in weekly practices and games through the Sports Monkey league here in Houston.  Paeglis wanted to do something innovative and fun and thought that starting a kickball team would be a “great new social activity to bring Jews together.”  It has definitely done just that.

The kickball team, sponsored by Houston Hillel and Mezzanine Lounge, can be seen sporting their blue and white “Chosen Ones” t-shirts, while playing against other local teams every Thursday this spring at Levy Park.  Thursday, April 22^nd was their first game – and their first win, with an exciting game that ended with a 6-5 win.  The score was tied 5-5, and as the teams entered into extra innings, Rachel Rochman scored the winning run for The Chosen Ones.  Kevin Metter, a young professional from Houston, chose to be a part of Jewstontexas’ team because “Kickball is one of those games that you played as a kid, but can still enjoy as an adult.  I decided to play with other young Jewish professionals because I thought it might be fun… and it is!”

While there are a number of native Houstonians on the team, there are also a handful of people who are “newbies” to Houston, such as Matt Frank, who moved here in January from Virginia Beach.  Frank, Program Coordinator at the Merfish Teen Center, is thankful for the opportunity to join “The Chosen Ones” because, “Being new to Houston and joining a Jewish kickball team has been a great way to meet other young people and make new friends.”  Jewstontexas is a great outlet for both young professionals who grew up in Houston and for those who have moved here for work or grad school to get connected with the Houston Jewish Community.  Kickball is simply one of the many ways that Jewstontexas makes this happen!

Something about the slogan “New York Bagels – the best bagels in Texas”, makes me chuckle every time. As a New Yorker moving to the southwest, one of my biggest gripes was that the bagels do not compare to New York… that is if you can even find a real bagel here in the first place.

Before moving to Houston last July, I spent the year working in Oklahoma, where bagels literally don’t exist. Not only this, but it is like a foreign concept to even ask for them. I dare you to ask a grocery store attendant if they sell bagels, because they may very likely get on the loudspeaker for assistance, at which point they might as well be announcing “Jew in aisle five, Jew in aisle five!”

Trust me, I experienced it firsthand.

On occasion, I was pointed to the bread aisle, where they merely had Lender’s bagels, which taste just like – bread. And forget asking for lox. I tried this once in Oklahoma too, and was given a combination lock. I wish I were lying. The ONLY other option was Panera – which is a great sandwich shop, but their pastry-like bagels just don’t quite cut it.

After my experience in Oklahoma, I was skeptical about the options that Houston would provide. I started off eating at Einstein’s Bagels – which, compared to the Lender’s bagels I had been eating for the past year, were quite good, but still far from being a “New York bagel”.

I was then invited to brunch one morning at a place called “The Bagel Shop” and I thought “if it says bagel in the title, it can’t hurt to at least check it out”. Well let me tell you, I arrived at this so-called “Bagel Shop” only to discover that the full title is in fact “New York Bagel & Coffee Shop”. If I said I was ecstatic, that would be an understatement. But, I must say I tried my best not to get my hopes up until I actually tried their bagels. (I learned this after trying New York Pizza in Oklahoma – using “New York” in the name, definitely does NOT make it authentic.) Well, from the minute I walked into the New York Bagel Shop in Houston it took less than 2 seconds for almost all my doubts to dissipate and for my excitement to increase to even newer heights.

The guy at the counter was speaking quickly, with his heavy New York accent, ushering people in and out of the restaurant, as the line of people waiting was growing out the door. The staff was all wearing shirts that said “New York Bagels – the best bagels in Texas”. And I could almost guarantee that every single Jewish New Yorker in the greater Houston area was congregated in this one small restaurant.

And, I am elated to inform you that the “bagel shop” outdid every expectation I could have possibly had. I ordered a white fish salad sandwich on a sesame bagel… and left with a pound of white fish and at least a dozen bagels to go. It is now a weekly tradition (or obsession) for me and my friends to meet there for brunch on a Saturday/Sunday morning, and it is worth every second you have to wait.

So you may be wondering why New York bagels are so much better than those everywhere else. Well, I’ll tell you. New York bagels are not only larger, but they taste nicely baked on the outside and warm and chewy on the inside. It should not taste like sandwich bread – if I wanted sandwich bread, I would have ordered cream cheese and lox on toast. Real bagels are boiled before they are baked – and some claim that New York water (wudder) is what makes them taste so authentic. I have been told that the “New York Bagel Shop” in Houston gets their ingredients from New York. True or not, I still find it amusingly ironic, that New York Bagels… are the best bagels in Texas.

by Deborah Horwitz (Pictured at right, with Tamara Marks-Moses)

As if switching from a career in politics to a career in medicine wasn’t scary enough, the thought of moving from Washington, DC to Houston, TX didn’t help to ease my anxiety. Being a native Texan–having grown up in Austin–I knew what the great state of Texas had to offer, but I wasn’t sure what Houston had to offer besides, Big Oil, BBQ and Rodeo. So reluctantly I accepted my offer from Baylor College of Medicine hoping that Houston would be more than just a city I called home for the next few years. Looking back now a year later, I can’t tell you how many great activities are going on in this city and how proud I am to call Houston home!

As soon as I arrived here, I got a student membership to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the premiere fine arts museum in the South. Much of my social scene revolves around the museum, with member happy hours at least once a month and young professionals events throughout the year—not to mention the amazing exhibits that come to Houston (Pompeii: Tales from an Eruption, Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul). Houston has so many other amazing museums and a blossoming underground art scene. The Contemporary arts museum, and The Menil Collection, as well as dozens of other smaller galleries have a constant flow of new art and artists, that exhibit throughout the year. At least once a week you can find a gallery with an art opening that attracts a hip, young crowd. Theatre is also booming in Houston, with multiple fringe productions a week, not to mention the amazing Hobby Center which offers national touring musicals from Broadway throughout the year.

Having the schedule of a med student doesn’t leave me with a lot of time for fun, but I always leave time to blow off some steam and hang out with my friends. There are so many places to go out in Houston with a variety of scenes. Mid-town offers a great bar and dance scene for the 20 somethings, while the Heights has more lounges and clubs for the late 20s-30 somethings. Montrose/Westheimer area has a more hipster vibe with coffee shops and hole in the wall bars, or if you’re looking to just grab a beer with some friends, Rice Village has tons of really laid back bars.

We all know that Texans love to eat, and now I can see why—every restaurant I’ve tried here is really good, and it’s not just TexMex and BBQ. From big city style sushi happy hours to hippie healthy, Houston is a metropolitan city with a diversity of cultures and tastes where you’ll never go hungry! The weather is good too—where else can you work on your tan 10 months out of the year!

The greatest thing about Houston is that I am always finding something new to do, or a new scene to check out. Just last week I found out that there’s free salsa dancing at the Downtown Aquarium on Friday nights. Houston is a big city with a lot to offer. The people here are nice, the food is good and there’s always something fun to do. Whether culture is your thing or partying is what you need, Houston has it all.

by Melissa Galvez

If you’ve just moved to Houston, you’re probably thinking, “What IS there to DO in this place? Go ice skating at the Galleria? Think about oil? Hide from the heat?” If you’ve lived in Houston your whole life, you sadly may be thinking the same thing. But the Bayou City, my friends, is quirkier than it seems. If you know where to look, fun, strange, and CHEAP pastimes abound. So clear off a Saturday and go wandering—with this list in tow.

The President Heads

WHERE: Behind the Target off of Sawyer, by I-10. From Washington Road, turn north on to Sawyer. Cross the railroad tracks, and turn left as if you’re entering the shopping center for Target. On your left you’ll see warehouses. Turn left into the last driveway—you should be able to glimpse giant busts of Roosevelt and other notable presidents from the road.

WHAT: A parking lot full of 15 foot high busts of the presidents. Just hanging out. And a two story tall statue of the Beatles. And a GIGANTIC plaster telephone.

WHY: This is the best kept secret in Houston (shhh! Don’t tell!). Artist David Addicks is famous for his oversized plaster statues (most notably, the Sam Houston statue on I-45), which he makes out of this tucked-away studio. I believe the statues are waiting to be moved to some kind of park, but for now you can find them in this surreal-y bland parking lot. It’s a crowd-pleaser every time. Bring your cameras!

PRICE: FREE!

The Gem room at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

WHERE: HMNS is in Hermann Park. Best entrance for me—take Bissonet/Binz to Caroline, and turn right. Caroline takes you straight into the park, past the museum. Once inside, go up the stairs and to the right. The Gem room is INSIDE the larger gem exhibit.

WHAT: Soothing music (think Pachebel’s Canon). A dark room, lit only by the light shining out of a dozen dazzling pieces of jewelry. Sapphire pendants. Emerald earrings. Amethyst necklaces that seem to float in the air. A broach worn by Catherine the Great.

WHY: Seriously, this is a great place to lose yourself, or maybe a great place to make a wedding proposal. Either way, it’s worth a trip.

PRICE: Admission is $15, but for that you get the whole museum. Also, Tuesdays after 2pm it’s free.

The Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. statues in Hermann Park

WHERE: Hermann Park, across from the Houston Museum of Natural Science, near the Chinese Gazebo

WHAT: Bronze statues of the great leaders.

WHY: Because you can take a picture holding Gandhi’s hand, or high-fiving MLK. Why not? Actually, this little visited part of the park has a few treasures—a beautiful-smelling rose garden, an even better smelling spice garden, and busts of many heroes of Central and South Americas history, if that’s your thing. Also, the Chinese gazebo is quite nice.

EXTRA: Actually, there are a LOT of nice things in Hermann Park—it’s worth walking around. One of the other best is the JAPANESE GARDEN—on the other side of the reflecting pool. Definitely unique.

PRICE: FREE!

Goode Co. BBQ—and The Swinging Door

WHERE: Goode Co—Kirby, just south of 59. The Swinging Door–3818 FM359 Richmond, Texas 77469 281.342.4758

WHAT: BBQ, beans, and beer. What you came to Texas for!

WHY: So, everyone knows Goode Co—so for that reason it’s a must-see on the Houston tour. But The Swinging Door—that, my friends, is WORTH the 40 minute trip out to the “boonies”. I honestly have never in my life eaten such delicious meat. And green beans. And potato salad. Not kidding. Grab some friends and make a night of it.

PRICE: 1 meat and 2 veggies, $11.95. Sandwiches, $5.95. Cheap!

Beer Can House

WHERE: 222 Malone St, Houston, TX 77007

WHAT: A house completely covered in various parts of beer cans. I bet you didn’t know that pull tops make excellent aluminum curtains.

WHY: 1) To contemplate the number of ways you can use a beer can (fence, siding, curtains, decoration…) 2) To contemplate the number of beers that must have been drunk to make this happen. And oh, how it sparkles in the sun!

PRICE: $1 Admission, Open Sat and Sun noon-5pm. Or just go walk by…it’s purty from the outside, too.

The Chapel at the University of St. Thomas

WHERE: University of St. Thomas campus, Montrose area. The Chapel is just off of West Alabama and Yoakum

WHAT: A huge chapel shaped like a large white teepee with a flap pulled back; all in white, black and gray; simple interior; bas reliefs; all natural lighting.

WHY: I know this is a Jewish website, but really, the draw here is the architecture. Forget the Rothko Chapel—walking into the St, Thomas Chapel feels like you’re sneaking behind a giant curtain into a cool, dim cave. And then you can feel all ecumenical!

PRICE: FREE!

Bayou Bend

WHERE: 1 Westcott St., Houston, TX 77007

WHAT: The impressive mansion and gardens of Ima Hogg (yes, that’s her real name!). House tour, garden tour; seasonal events.

WHY: If you can, go in March, when the azaleas are in bloom. Ms. Hogg was famous for her azalea gardens, which burst into various shades of pink only for a few weeks a year. If you can’t, go any bright, sunny day: you get to walk across a skinny wood bridge swinging high above the bayou, wander through luscious gardens with fountains and woodsy paths, and, if you like art history, the house tour is a nice little introduction to American art and artifacts.

PRICE: $3 to tour the grounds, $10 for admission to the house.

La Carafe

WHERE: 813 Congress St, Houston TX 77002

WHAT: An old, small wine bar lit by candlelight!

WHY: Because you’ve always wanted to sip wine in a boho Parisian bar. Actually, this place is better than that, because it’s not pretentious in any way—it’s intimate, quirky, and comfortable, with gigantic overflowing candles to light the place. Perfect for a slow glass of wine and good conversation. It’s believed to be the oldest bar in Houston; the building is from 1847.

PRICE: Cheap. Bring cash.

Hong Kong City Mall

WHERE: 11201 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX

WHAT: An huge Asian food store and Vietnamese mall.

WHY: To feel like you’ve just stepped off the plane in Saigon; to go into another world. Take a right down the long mall hallway and find the dried foods store; there you can sample anything from dried fruit to dried fish to dried meat, in any variety of spices. Load up on rice noodles and bbq duck in the food market. Sample the cool treat of your choice: tapioca tea, fruit ice, Japanese yogurt. Buy some cheap sandals or purses or smiling buddhas!

PRICE: Cheap. Did I say cheap?