A Strange Place Called Israel

The Land where Faith, History, Hope and Pain all meet. A presentation on the deeper dimension of our eternal homeland.
Presenting Agency: Chabad of Boerne
Speaker: Rabbi Yossi Marrus
Rabbi Yossi Marrus is a veteran educator, executive director and spiritual leader of Chabad of Boerne. He is a Birthright Israel Fellow and has led many trips to Israel, exploring, learning, and teaching in both peacetime and challenging times.

Home Away From Home: Biblical Stories of Immigration

This session will explore powerful stories of immigration and displacement found throughout the Torah. From Abraham’s journey to a new land, to the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, to Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi into an unfamiliar culture, the Torah is filled with narratives of people on the move.
Presenting Agency: Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Teldon
A native New Yorker who moved to Texas as soon as he could, Rabbi Levi Teldon was ordained in 2008 and has been instrumental in adult education and program leadership for close to 15 years at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning in San Antonio. In 2011, he co-founded YJSA (Young & Jewish San Antonio), a vibrant community for Jewish young adults, and recently opened Chabad of Downtown San Antonio, bringing Jewish life, culture, and education to the heart of the city.

Introduction to Israeli Dancing

Don’t know how to dance? Don’t worry! Join us for a simple introduction to Israeli dancing. You'll leave knowing two new dances!
Presenting Agency: Barshop Jewish Community Center
Speaker: Raphi Sonsino
Raphael “Raphi” Sonsino has been doing Israeli folk dancing since his early years as a camper at Camp Young Judaea. In high school, he was a member of the Young Judaean Israeli Dance Group, performing in front of many audiences in Texas, including for a Girl Scout jamboree in Livingston, Texas with thousands in attendance. He has been dancing in San Antonio for at least 25 years, and he assumed the teaching role of the current Israeli Dance group a number of years ago. He is a practicing attorney in San Antonio, but he would prefer to dance all day and night.

The People of the Book: Keeping it Relevant in a Rapidly Evolving World

Join us as we explore 3 Mitzvot that at first glance feel antiquated, but are, in fact, at the cutting edge of ethics as defined by judeo-christo scholars.
Presenting Agency: San Antonio Kollel
Speaker: Rabbi Yehudah Grossman
Originally from Queens, New York, studied in Yehivah Shaar Hatorah in New York, Yeshivas Mir in Jerusalem and Beth Medrash Gevoha of Lakewood until age 30, and has been an active member of the San Antonio Kollel for 3 years studying and teaching within the local Jewish community.

Jewish Learning in Action: Create, Express, Engage

Join Dr. Orit Eylon as she shares all the ways she was able to create Jewish experiences in the community and in her academic circles through music, debate, food and collaborations. In this session, you'll get ideas you can use to take action and create your own Jewish cultural experiences.
Presenting Agency: Stronger Together
Speaker: Dr. Orit Eylon
Orit Amy Eylon is the Chair of the Department of Music, Coordinator of the Voice Area, and Professor of Music at the University of the Incarnate Word. Throughout her storied career, she has performed extensively as a recitalist in Europe, the Middle East, Mexico and Asia, as well as closer to home with Opera San Antonio, Alamo City Opera, and El Paso Opera. Her hobbies include lay-leading Kabbalat Shabbat services and co-leading the Adult Choir at Congregation Agudas Achim. She also loves spending quality time with her children and husband.

A Midrashic Reading of Holocaust Poetry

Join us as we explore graphic novels and what they mean for the way that we share the history and stories of the Holocaust. We'll dive into what it means to be the "transmitter" of someone else's stories, how we talk about the Holocaust now that direct survivor testimony is fading, and how graphic artists use their work to share the memories of the Holocaust with others.
Presenting Agency: Stronger Together
Speaker: Dr. Victoria Aarons
Dr. Victoria Aarons is the O.R. and Eva Mitchell Distinguished Professor of Literature in the English Department at Trinity University in San Antonio. She leads classes on American Jewish and Holocaust literature, and has authored or edited 14 books on the subjects. She currently serves on the editorial board of Philip Roth Studies, Studies in American Jewish Literature, Partial Answers, and Women in Judaism, and also serves as the series editor for Lexington/Bloomsbury Studies in Jewish Literature.

Discover Your Inner Chagall

Come work on your creative side and design a keychain to take home!
Presenting Agency: Stronger Together
Speaker: Susan Butler
After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Susan Butler seized the opportunity to explore mosaics and sculpting, finding new avenues for creativity and joy along the way. In her professional life, she owns and leads a thriving factory whose products are sold nationwide.

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Laughter is a Mitzvah: Comedy, Chutzpah, and Carrying On

From shtetl jokesters to stand-up comics, from Purim spiels to self-deprecating jokes, humor has always been a Jewish survival tool. Join this journey through the history, wisdom, and spiritual depth behind Jewish laughter, and discover how humor and joy are as Jewish as challah.
Presented by: Chabad of Downtown San Antonio
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Teldon
A native New Yorker who moved to Texas as soon as he could, Rabbi Levi Teldon was ordained in 2008 and has been instrumental in adult education and program leadership for close to 15 years at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning in San Antonio. In 2011, he co-founded YJSA (Young & Jewish San Antonio), a vibrant community for Jewish young adults, and recently opened Chabad of Downtown San Antonio, bringing Jewish life, culture, and education to the heart of the city.

Jewish Wisdom for Everyday Life: Ritual, Ethics, and Practice

Join us for an interactive session that explores the deep connection between Jewish ritual and ethical living. Participants begin by reflecting on where they see themselves along the spectrum of ritual and ethics, then engage with Jewish texts and real-life scenarios that highlight how rituals sanctify everyday moments and how ethical principles shape our relationships and choices. Through guided discussion and personal reflection, learners examine how practices like blessings, Shabbat, and tzedakah integrate sacred intention with daily action. The session concludes with an invitation to identify one ritual, one ethical act, and one unifying value to carry forward—encouraging a lived Judaism rooted in both heart and habit.
Presenting Agency: Temple Beth-El
Speaker: Paulette Gindler
Paulette Gindler is a recent addition to San Antonio, having moved here from the Rio Grande Valley in 2023. She spent 30 wonderful years (no, really!) teaching world languages and served as the department chair of both the English and Language and Communications Departments at McAllen High School. After retiring from teaching, she served as a field supervisor for new teachers. Paulette and her husband, Scott Bishop, are now enjoying semi-retirement with their two dogs, Fergus and Patty.

Jewish Student Resilience: Stories from San Antonio Campuses

What does it mean to be a Jewish college student today, in a post-October 7th world? Join current students and alumni from San Antonio campuses for a candid conversation about identity, community and resilience. We'll epxlore how Jewish life on campus has evolved, how students navigate today's challenges, and what continues to ground and inspire them on campus. Expect real stories, reflection, and a glimpse into what Jewish resilience looks like now and in the future.
Presenting Agency: Hillel San Antonio
Speakers: Natalie Steiner, Andrew Cabrera, and a student panel.
Natalie Steiner is the Campus Director for Hillel San Antonio, which serves all colleges and universities in the San Antonio area. With a mountain of experience, Natalie brings her skills in community building and passion for students to create meaningful impact and experiences for the next generation of Jewish leaders.
Andrew Cabrera is the Springboard Innovation Fellow for Hillel San Antonio. A phenomenal communicator and connector, he takes his passion for building relationships and creating community to the next level at Hillel San Antonio, where he helps build bonds and experiences that strengthen the Jewish community on San Antonio college and university campuses.

Benefits of Breathing and Exercise for Quality of Life

Exercise, movement and breathing: not just good for your body, but also for your mind.
Presenting Agency: Jewish Family Service
Speaker: Roberta Varela-Hein, MA, LPC-S
Roberta Varela-Hein is a counselor with Jewish Family Service, and a Group Exercise leader for senior adults at the Barshop Jewish Community Center. As a certified instructor and licensed counselor, she combines breathing techniques, movement, and exercise to create a sense of calm, helping others create a healthy practice that can be used daily.

Volunteering in Israel: Opportunities with SAR-EL and JNF, WE ARE STILL NEEDED!

Join B'nai Brith to learn all about how you can get involved and support Israel through hands-on service with SAR-EL and the Jewish National Fund. This session will feature representatives from both organizations, who will share opportunities for involvement, information on their programs, and more.
Presenting Agency: Alamo Brandeis B'nai B'rith Lodge and Jewish National Fund
Speaker: Jeff Grossman and Andrew Max
Jeff Grossman is a master police officer with over 36 years of dedicated service in the San Antonio area. A dedicated leader, he holds several leadership positions throughout San Antonio, Texas, and nationwide, and is a member of SAG-AFTRA.
Andrew Max is the Senior Campaign Executive of the Southwest Region for Jewish National Fund in the United States. He is a first-generation America with a love for Travel, and a passion for supporting the land and people of Israel.

How Texas Laws Impact Jewish Families in Schools, and What You Can Do About It!

A recap of legislation past by the Texas Legislature that skirts the issue of separation of Church and State, from Ten Commandments in the classroom to daily Bible Study and prayer. Why should Jewish families be concerned and what can we do?
Presenting Agency: National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Community Relations Council
Speaker: Hannah Cramer, Lisa Epstein, Ph.D., Rhonda Grimm
Rhonda Grimm is the President of the San Antonio Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. She has worked with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State on these issues and more.
Hannah Cramer is the Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio and an attorney for local school districts advising on issues of school law, student issues, and employment.
Lisa Epstein is the Director of the JCRC and has led an effort statewide to push back on the Christian indoctrination embedded in the Bluebonnet curriculum as well as leads the Jewish community in advocacy on these issues and more.

How to Raise A Mensch

Turning to Judaism's ancient wisdom when raising children with seven parenting principles.
Presenting Agency: The Starr Family Jewish Day School
Speaker: Sarah Endzweig
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, now living in San Antonio with her husband and three girls, Sarah has a degree in psychology, with a focus on special education. After arriving in San Antonio, she found her home at TASA now Starr Family Jewish Day School (SFJDS), which had just opened its doors. With seventeen years of teaching under her belt, she is bringing her vast experience to her next journey as the principal of SFJDS.

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I'll bring my own lunch, or head out for lunch! Plus, you can take your lunch to your session and eat while you learn.

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Turkey Sandwich, Non-Gluten Free

Click this for the Turkey Sandwich Option, non-gluten free. You'll get a sandwich, fruit, chips and a water bottle.

Not planning on packing a lunch? We've got you covered. Just click this option, and we'll make sure you get a packaged lunch that you can pick up during this time. Plus, you can take your lunch to your session and eat while you learn!

Egg Salad Sandwich, Non-Gluten Free

Click this for the Egg Salad Sandwich Option, non-gluten free. You'll get a sandwich, fruit, chips and a water bottle.

Not planning on packing a lunch? We've got you covered. Just click this option, and we'll make sure you get a packaged lunch that you can pick up during this time. Plus, you can take your lunch to your session and eat while you learn!

Turkey Sandwich, Gluten Free

Click this for the Turkey Sandwich Option, gluten free. You'll get a sandwich, fruit, chips and a water bottle.

Not planning on packing a lunch? We've got you covered. Just click this option, and we'll make sure you get a packaged lunch that you can pick up during this time. Plus, you can take your lunch to your session and eat while you learn!

Egg Salad Sandwich, Gluten Free

Click this for the Egg Salad Sandwich Option, gluten free. You'll get a sandwich, fruit, chips and a water bottle.

Not planning on packing a lunch? We've got you covered. Just click this option, and we'll make sure you get a packaged lunch that you can pick up during this time. Plus, you can take your lunch to your session and eat while you learn!

How to Talk to Your Kids about Antisemitism

How do we teach one of the darkest parts of history to our children without overwhelming their hearts—but still lighting the spark of empathy, courage, and responsibility?
Join Perry Aguilar and ADL's Jackie Nirenberg for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation on educating children about antisemitism. Together, we’ll explore age-appropriate ways to introduce history’s hard truths, foster compassion, and empower the next generation to become upstanders against hate.
Presenting agency: PJ Library & PJ Our Way
Speaker: Perry Aguilar and Jackie Nirenberg, ADL
Perry Aguilar serves as the Manager of Education and Outreach for the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, where he helps connect families to Jewish life through PJ Library and other Federation programs. A passionate educator and advocate for inclusive, values-driven Jewish learning, Perry brings warmth, insight, and creativity to every space he enters.
Jackie Nirenberg is the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League in Austin. She is a mission-driven collaborative leader, with a passion for social justice and advocacy.

Are all Scotch and Whiskey Kosher, and Why?

Not all whiskey is created equal—at least when it comes to kashrut. In this class, we’ll explore what makes a scotch or whiskey kosher or not. From how it’s made to what it's aged in and everything in between.
Presenting Agency: Vaad Hakashruth of San Antonio
Speaker: Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg
Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg is the rabbi at Congregation Rodfei Sholom and a San Antonio native.

How Stories of the Past Can Shape Our Future

Join us as we hear from Robi Jalnos, who will be recounting his parent's survival story during WWII and the Holocaust. Together, we'll learn why we should tell survivor stories and ensure we never allow history to repeat itself, especially in this time of harsh worldwide antisemitism.
Presenting Agency: San Antonio Jewish Senior Service
Speaker: Robi Jalnos
A native San Antonian born to two Holocaust Survivors, Robi Jalnos is a dedicated leader and supporter of the San Antonio Jewish community. Alongside his work as Board Chair of San Antonio Jewish Senior Services, he serves as a professional Plumbing Expert Witness nationwide.

The Virtue of Sin: a Jewish Take on Transgression and Transformation

While many faiths view sin as a stain or a fall from grace, Judaism offers a radically different lens—one that sees the potential for growth, return, and even holiness in the act of failure. Explore how Judaism reframes sin not as a dead end, but as a catalyst for spiritual elevation.
Presenting Agency: Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning
Speaker: Rabbi Chaim Block
Rabbi Chaim Block is the Executive Director and Senior Rabbi of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning. Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in London, Ontario, Canada, Rabbi Block arrived in San Antonio in 1985 to establish the local branch of the Chabad Lubavitch Movement. Since then, Chabad has experienced incredible growth, and has three additional centers in San Antonio: Chabad Israeli Center at La Cantera, Chabad Center in Boerne and Chabad of Downtown San Antonio. Rabbi Block serves on the international board of the Chabad Lubavitch movement and on the Executive Committee of the National Jewish Learning Institute.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Friends or Foes?

Acting as middlemen overseeing prescriptions for over 200 million Americans, Pharmacy Benefit Managers negotiate with drug companies, pay pharmacies, and help decide which drugs patients can get at what price. While this is theoretically meant to result in lower prices, it frequently reults in higher markups, hidden fees, and more expensive drugs. Join Dr. Saklad and Joel Saklad to answer the important question: are Pharmacy Benefit Managers friends or foes?
Presenting Agency: Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio
Speakers: Joel and Steve Saklad
Joel Saklad is a Senior Ads Content Manager for New Blue Interactive who conducted research on Pharmacy Benefit Managers while attending American University. In his spare time, he enjoys working with technology while pursuing creative outlets in digital art, user experience design, and outdoor photography.
Dr. Stephen Saklad is a Doctor of Pharmacy who joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and the clinical staff at San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) as the first clinical pharmacist employed by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (now Texas Health and Human Services). Dr. Saklad publishes articles and presents to many groups around the country on a variety of pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, and mental health-related topics.

Dealing with Demons in the Ancient World

The Babylonian Talmud is filled with stories about demons, and laws that regulate how humans and demons should interact. But what are all those demons even doing in the Talmud? Together we'll examine how demons are constructed in the Talmud, and explore medieval and modern resistances to the presence of demons in Judaism. Using demons as our lens, we'll think through what looking at the wacky and the weird tells us about late antique Jewish culture and theology.
Presenting Agency: Stronger Together
Speaker: Sara Ronis
Sara Ronis, PhD, is associate professor of Theology at St. Mary's University. She is a scholar of rabbinic literature in the broader cultural context of Late Antiquity. She is the author of Demons in the Details: Demonic Discourse and Rabbinic Culture in Late Antique Babylonia (University of California Press, 2022).

Devil in the Details: Understanding the Controversy Over Definitions of Antisemitism

In this session, we'll take a close look at a variety of proposed definitions of antisemitism and their relationships with proposed definitions of Zionism / anti-Zionism. We will expose the differences between proposed definitions, so that we may articulate more clearly what makes a definition of antisemitism adequate and why. Then, in small groups, we will consider some candidate definitions and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. We will conclude by sharing ideas that emerged in each group.
Presenting Agency: Stronger Together
Speaker: Ronni Gura Sadovsky
Ronni Gura Sadovsky is a philosophy professor at Trinity University. She holds a JD and a PhD from Harvard University, and clerked for Justices Uzi Vogelman and Salim Joubran of the Israeli Supreme Court. Her research and teaching focus on ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of childhood, and philosophy of law. She spends her free time chasing after her two brilliant little girls.

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The Final Kindness: Tradition and Autonomy in Our Last Farewell

Join Rabbi Yergin and Barbara Powell for a thoughtful and engaging session on the topic of cremation, examining it through the compassionate and modern lens of Reform Judaism. Then we will highlight the rich symbolism and meaning behind taharah, ritual purification for burial.
This session will be guided by the principles found in a key Reform Responsum (rabbinic opinion), which honors individual conscience and informed choice. Our goal is not to provide a single answer, but to offer a respectful space for learning, reflection, and understanding the different paths available within a Jewish framework.
Presenting Agency: Stronger Together
Speakers: Rabbi Marina Yergin & Barbara Powell
Rabbi Marina Yergin (she/her) is the Associate Rabbi of Temple Beth-El, where she has proudly served the San Antonio Jewish community since 2015. Ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), she is passionate about teaching and guiding families through life's sacred moments. She finds it especially meaningful to use Reform Responsa to explore how foundational texts can inform our most personal decisions. This passion was deepened through her work with over 150 Jews-by-choice, which revealed a strong community desire to learn about Jewish rituals surrounding death. This has led to her profound involvement with grieving families and those pre-planning for death, as well as her active support for San Antonio's Chevra Kaddisha (sacred burial society).

Advocating for Holocaust Education in Your Child's School

Join us for a workshop designed to empower parents to advocate for Holocaust education in their child's schools. Here, you'll learn how to approach educators and administrators, understand state curriculum standards, and access age-appropriate resources that ensure accurate, meaningful Holocaust instruction, and make a lasting impact in your school community.
Presenting Agency: Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
Speaker: Sarah Ettinger
Sarah Ettinger is the Curriculum Development Specialist at the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, where she creates classroom-ready, TEKS-aligned Holocaust curriculum and instructional resources. She develops and leads educator workshops, presents historical content and pedagogy to incoming docents, and contributes to the design of Holocaust education trunks—portable kits that bring age-appropriate primary sources, lesson plans, and materials into schools and community spaces.

Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic Traditions: Who, What, When, Where and Why?

Join Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg as he traces and explores the religious and historical distinctions between Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewish traditions.
Presenting Agency: Congregation Rodfei Sholom
Speaker: Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg
Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg is the rabbi at Congregation Rodfei Sholom and a San Antonio native.

Stepping Up and Stepping Back: Leadership, Humility, and Disagreement for the Sake of Heaven

How does a person show leadership? Is it through bold action and certainty in their position, or through humility and flexibility? We'll explore a section of the Talmud and a Midrash that deals with these questions, deepening our understanding of what being a leader requires.
Presenting Agency: Congregation Agudas Achim
Speakers: Rabbi Jonathan Hodson and Rabbi David Kaplinsky
Rabbi Jonathan Hodson serves as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim. He has worked extensively in Jewish Youth programs and has serves as a USY advisor in two different chapters. An avid storyteller and speaker, Rabbi Hodson seeks to implement holiness and tradition into his rabbinate.
Rabbi David Kaplinsky is the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim. Prior to his rabbinical studies, he serves as a b'nei mitzvah tutor, and a professional actor in theatre and tv productions in Chicago. He's recorded two albums of original Jewish music, entitled "Az B'kol" and "Ra'ash Gadol" with his good friend, rabbinical student Brianah Caplan.

Mind, Body and Yoga

Come join us for a yoga session where you'll quiet your mind, focus on your breath, and learn a bit about Hadassah.
Hadassah supports heart health and research has shown that yoga can help improve blood pressure, lower cholesterol, enhance heart function, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Presenting Agency: Hadassah Evolve in San Antonio, Aviva Group
Speaker: Adrienne Rodriguez
With over three decades of experience in the health and wellness industry, Dr. Adrienne Rodriguez is a passionate advocate for holistic well-being and community-centered fitness. Her journey began in 1986 with pivotal roles at the YMCA of San Antonio, USAA, and Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), where she served as Director of Recreation and Fitness. At OLLU, she played a foundational role in launching the Saints' Athletic Program and held leadership positions as Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Athletic Administrator (SWAA). Since 2000, Adrienne has been a dedicated yoga instructor in higher education and throughout the San Antonio area, inspiring others through her belief in yoga’s transformative power. A lifelong athlete, she maintains an active lifestyle through yoga, weight training, and running—having completed two full marathons, numerous half-marathons, and bike tours.

The Role of Financial Literacy and Planning for a Successful Future

Join the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio and find out what you can do to live a more satisfying and stress-free life financially.

Presenting Agency: Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio
Speaker: Steven Butler, CPA
A retired CPA, Steven Butler spent 45 years as a practicing public accountant, specializing in taxes and financial matters for both individuals and businesses.

A History of Israel Through Song

Explore Israeli history through songs from four key periods. Participants will listen to analyze iconic songs to understand how music both reflects and shapes national identity. Through musical analysis and historical context, students will discover how Israeli songs document everything from pioneering optimism and wartime sacrifice to cultural diversity and peace aspiration, making history accessible through the universal language of music.
Presenting agency: Congregation Shalom of San Antonio
Speaker: Rabbi Lisa Goldstein
Rabbi Lisa Goldstein is the Rabbi at Congregation Shalom. A graduate of Brandeis University and American Jewish University, she also serves Congregation Shalom as a Cantorial Soloist, Educator and Executive Director. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, following her Boston sports teams and the Spurs, and visiting local wineries with her husband Maury.

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