September 2024

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Welcome Anna Ashburn!

Houston Hillel welcomes Anna Ashburn as its new Alexander Jewish Family Service Counselor. Through a generous grant from JFS, Houston Hillel offers free and confidential counseling for participants.

Anna attend Baylor University where she studied child development and social work. Anna has served children, teens, and young adults, most recently specializing in maternal mental health. 

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As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Anna values family systems, attachment theory, and person-centered therapy. She loves working with young adults on issues of identity and personal growth.

Students can learn more and schedule appointments with Anna at houstonhillel.org/wellness.

Welcome Back Bash!

Houston Hillel's Welcome Back Bash attracted dozens of students who celebrated the start of the school year with fun, food, and friends. Read more about the Bash in the Jewish Herald Voice.

Rice University President DesRoches at the Bash.

Hagit Bibi Photography

Connecting with Students

Mira Goldstein (pictured) engaged Jewish students at the Rice Activities Fair. Mira is Rice Hillel's Undergraduate Engagement Intern, and she passed out Hillel swag and ensured that Jewish students know about Hillel's programs and events.

University of Houston Hillel had a similar table at their Cat's Back Activities Fair. In addition to free t-shirts and other swag, UH students received the combination to door of the UH Hillel Student Lounge in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center. The Lounge has been a fixture of Jewish life at UH since 1962. Students hang out there every day to study in between classes and grab some snacks.

Shabbat Hosting Lab

Returning this fall is the Shabbat Hosting Lab, a ten-week course taught by Rabbi Kenny Weiss that helps students learn how to host their own Shabbat dinners. Last fall's cohort found greater meaning in their Shabbat dinner experiences, and had a blast hosting two Shabbat dinners for their friends (all funded by Hillel).

Speaking of Shabbat...

We started the semester with a Shabbat dinner at the home of Rabbis Kenny and Amy Weiss, and the next week students from three campuses enjoyed services at Congregation Emanu El (across the street from Rice) and then dinner hosted by Hillel at a local restaurant.

Supporting the Rice Community

Rabbi Kenny Weiss coordinated with other campus ministers to hold an interfaith vigil for Rice student Andrea Rodriguez Avila, who was murdered on the first day of classes.

The vigil brought together hundreds of Rice students, faculty and staff to grieve and support one another.

High Holy Days

Please share with students that Houston Hillel offers a full schedule of High Holy Day services led by Rabbi Kenny Weiss and cantorial soloist Jessica Fishenfeld. We also feature alumni musicians on piano, harp, flute, and violin. More information is available at houstonhillel.org/hhd. Services including a Rosh Hashanah lunch and Yom Kippur break-fast are free for everyone - students and community members.

Houston Hillel is an independent 501(c)3 organization and does not receive support from Hillel International or any universities.