Holding Fast: A Community's Answer to Hate

In 2021, Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Texas was the target of an arson attempt on its sanctuary. Five years later, a vandal spray-painted a swastika and the words "Death to Israel" on a wall outside the parking lot. In his talk, Rabbi Brian Leiken reflects on how his community has responded to these two attacks. He argues that long-term security of his community depends less on fighting antisemitism itself and more on strengthening our institutions, educating our children and building a vibrant Jewish life.

Presenting Agency: Jewish Federation of San Antonio

Speaker: Rabbi Brian Leiken
Rabbi Brian Leiken (he/him) is the senior Rabbi at CBI. Prior to joining CBI, Rabbi Leiken served as the Associate Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Norwalk, CT for five years and the Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom in New City, NY for thirteen years. During his years in New City, Rabbi Leiken served on the board of Jewish Community Center of Rockland County and was president of the Rockland County Board of Rabbis.

Jewish Women in Times of Crisis: the Case of Babatha

In the 1960s, archeologists discovered a fascinating archive of documents from the second century CE belonging to a remarkable Jewish woman named Babatha. In this class, we'll reconstruct her extraordinary life in her own words, and learn about how she faced political and cultural crisis, rooted in her identity as a Jew and as a citizen of the Roman world.

Presenting Agency: Jewish Federation of San Antonio

Speaker: Sara Ronis
Sara Ronis is Professor of Theology at St. Mary's University, and the author of Demons in the Details: Demonic Discourse and Rabbinic Culture in Late Antique Babylonia (2022).

How to Win Hearts and Minds: Effective Communication Strategies for Combating Antisemitism

Most non-Jewish people have relatively little understanding of antisemitism and the issues facing Jewish Americans. This session will provide seven research-tested communication strategies to help reduce antisemitic attitudes, increase understanding of the Jewish experience, and build allyship.

Presenting Agency: evolve Hadassah, Aviva Group of San Antonio in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League

Speaker: Jackie Nirenberg
Jackie Nirenberg is the Regional Director for ADL Austin, serving Central Texas. The daughter of a Holocaust survivor, she joined ADL in 2022 to honor her father’s legacy and combat antisemitism, driven by the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world). As regional spokesperson, she manages incident responses, liaises with law enforcement, and leads educational outreach.

Fall Awareness Lengthens Lives: Practical Strategies to Prevent Falls

Falls are common, yet preventable! Learn how to prevent falls, stay active, talk to your doctor, improve home safety, and maintain independence.

Presenting Agency: San Antonio Jewish Senior Services (SAJSS)

Speaker: Jeffrey E. Rollman, MPH, NRP
Jeff Rollman is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Health Sciences at UT San Antonio focused on injury prevention, community health and aging.

Jared Stone's A Brief History of Israel and the Jewish People: From Abraham to October 7-and a Nation Reawakened

Jared Stone will speak about his book, A Brief History of Israel and the Jewish People, addressing common questions and misconceptions to equip students, educators, and general readers through a clear, morally grounded narrative, spanning antiquity to the modern era. His book is a compact and accessible guide that traces Jewish history from Abraham to the present, equipping readers with historical knowledge often missing from current debates about Jewish identity and Israel.

Presenting Agency: Barshop JCC

Speaker: Jared Stone
Jared Stone is a writer and speaker whose interests lie in American and Israeli intellectual history, with particular attention to the origins and development of the Israeli right. He studied political theory, history, and classics at Princeton University. His writing addresses contemporary politics, US foreign policy, Zionism, and Jewish peoplehood.

Sanity In An Insane World

How do we keep sane and grounded in an ever increasing stressful environment?

Join us as we study the secret to living a calm and positive life through the secret of Emunah and Bitachon as taught in the Gate of Trust written one thousand years ago by the Spanish sage Rabbi Bachya ibn Pekuda.

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.

What Makes a Jewish Community Thrive? Lessons for San Antonio

What can we each do to help Jewish San Antonio thrive for generations to come? Jewish learning, meaningful relationships, and shared responsibility help a community flourish. Drawing on examples from across the country, we’ll explore what Jewish San Antonio can learn—and how each of us can help shape its future.

Presenting Agency: Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, San Antonio

Speaker: Michael Ellison
Helping individuals and families turn Jewish values into lasting charitable impact through philanthropy and legacy giving

Jews in the News for the Wrong Reasons

How have Jewish community leaders dealt with "public sinners" like Epstein or Madoff throughout history, and what can we learn from their approach?

Presenting Agency: Young Adult Division

Speaker: Louis Keene
Louis Keene is an award winning reporter for The Forward based in Los Angeles, where he covers religious life, pop culture and crime.

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Using Meditation to Enhance Your Personal Judaism

Rabbi Kligfeld will lead a meditation session with niggunim and intentional kavanah to help enhance the spiritual experience of those attending.

Presenting Agency: Jewish Federation of San Antonio

Speaker: Rabbi Adam Kligfeld
Rabbi Kligfeld is Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Am Los Angeles. He uses niggunim, meditation, and kavanah frequently in specially crafted services and after Friday morning minyan for his congregation.

The Top Five Regrets of the Dying

Discover how timeless Jewish wisdom answers the five most common regrets people express at the end of life.

Presenting Agency: Chabad of Downtown SA

Speaker: Rabbi Levi Teldon
Rabbi Levi Teldon is co-founder of Chabad of Downtown SA and has taught Jewish wisdom with creativity, humor, and insight for over 15 years.

A Stroll through San Antonio's Jewish Community History

Join us as we explore the history of San Antonio's Jewish community through the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio's Books of Reminiscence. Discover the origins of these remarkable volumes and how they have documented generations of people, places, events, and dreams for the future.

Presenting Agency: Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio

Speakers: David Schulz & Howard S. Feinberg
Howard S. Feinberg is Chief Executive Officer of the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio (HFLA-SA). He brings more than 48 years of nonprofit leadership experience serving Jewish and nonprofit organizations as a CEO, fundraiser, consultant, and community leader.

David Alex Schulz is a writer, communications strategist, and former information privacy professional with more than 40 years of experience translating complex technical and institutional issues into clear, engaging communication. A lifelong student of history and public affairs, Schulz brings a deep appreciation for memory, storytelling, and institutional leadership.

Voices from Israel: Beyond the Headlines: A Druze Trailblazer and an International Diplomat on Healing in Conflict

Join us for our second in our Voices from Israel series, where we welcome speakers from diverse voices in Israel. Dr. Khetam Hussein provides her unique perspective as a member of Israel's Druze community and a woman pioneer in the medical field. Smadar Ocampo shares her experience playing a central role in Israel's humanitarian mission to support the treatment of Syrians at the Galilee Medical Center.

Presenting Agency: P2G, Partnership2Gether with Israel

Speakers: Dr. Khetam Hussein & Smadar Ocampo
Dr. Hussein is a member of Israel's Druze community and Deputy General Director of the Galilee Medical Center. She is an internationally known specialist in infection control and hospital epidemiology, and received one of Israel's highest honors by lighting one of 12 torches at Israel's official 75th Independence Day Ceremony.

Smadar Ocampo is Clinical Supervisor of the Pediatric Division at Galilee Medical Center, where she led the management of care for Syrian children.

The Jewish Joy Exhibit

What does Jewish joy look like through the eyes of today's college students?

Explore an interactive exhibit featuring portraits and personal stories from Jewish students across San Antonio campuses as they share the moments, traditions, people, and experiences that bring them joy. After exploring the exhibit, join a conversation with several featured students and add your own story to a growing community collection of Jewish joy.

Presenting Agency: Hillel San Antonio

Speakers: Students of Hillel San Antonio
Hillel San Antonio is the center for Jewish life on campus, serving Jewish students across all colleges and universities throughout the San Antonio area. This presentation features current Hillel students who are sharing their personal stories on campus as part of The Jewish Joy Exhibit.

Advance Care Planning Workshop: Time to Make Your Wishes Known

Many older members of our Jewish community have not yet prepared or discussed end of life decisions with their doctors or loved ones. Participants of this session will learn more about Advance Care Planning and, if desired, will be able to complete their Medical Power of Attorney, Directive to Physicians and Do Not Resuscitate Documents.

Presenting Agency: Maimonides Society

Speakers: Elizabeth Glazier, M.D./M.P.H. & Esmeralda Villanueva, LBSW
Elizabeth Glazier is an internist, geriatrician, palliative care physician and serves as the CMO for the Care in the Home Program for WellMed. Esmeralda Villanueva, LBSW, serves as an Enterprise Social Worker at WellMed, supporting patients with advanced illnesses and complex psychosocial needs. Together they serve homebound patients with advanced illnesses throughout Texas.

How Judaism Disagrees: What the Talmud Can Teach Us About Having Better Arguments

Jewish tradition has never shied away from disagreement; in fact, it often celebrates it. In this interactive session, we will explore classic Jewish texts offering a vision of disagreement as a path to wisdom, humility, and stronger community. Together, we’ll discover what the sages can teach us about listening well, disagreeing respectfully, and engaging difficult conversations without sacrificing our relationships or convictions.

Presenting Agency: Temple Beth-El

Speaker: Rabbi Jonathan Falco
Rabbi Jonathan Falco serves as the Assistant Rabbi of Temple Beth-El here in San Antonio. In addition to teaching, Rabbi Falco leads worship, provides pastoral care, and works with congregants of all ages to help cultivate vibrant Jewish life and lifelong learning.

(Session Conducted in Hebrew) The Story of the Maccabees and the Beginnings of the Hasmonean Dynasty - הסיפור של המכביים

*Session conducted in Hebrew* How the Family of Maccabees came to Power and Featured as a Central Component in the Chanukah Story. איך שכהנים עלו לשלטון בחנוכה

Presenting Agency: Congregation Rodfei Sholom

Speaker: Rabbi Yehoshua Kornfeld
Rabbi Yehoshua grew up in Jerusalem in Har Nof, married with several children, moved along with his wife Tzivya and 2 children to San Antonio last year to be a part of the San Antonio Community Kollel. Since his arrival he has brought his wealth of knowledge tempered by a deep sense of humility to spread Torah and Yiddishkeit with lessons delivered both in English and Hebrew to reach the rich and diverse crowd of San Antonian Jews.

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Egg Salad Sandwich on Brioche

Egg Salad Sandwich on Brioche comes with a Pickle and Coleslaw.

Bagel and Lox Sandwich

Bagel and Lox Sandwich comes with a Pickle and Coleslaw.

Vegan Bagel Sandwich

Vegan Bagel Sandwich is filled with hummus and fresh vegetables. A pickle and carrot sticks are served on the side.

Greek Salad (Gluten Free)

The Greek Salad is served with a scoop of Tuna Salad. This item is Gluten Free.

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Holocaust Graphic Narratives: The Intergenerational Extension of Memory through Family Stories

This session will explore the growing genre of graphic narratives and the complex ways in which visual-verbal testimony extends Holocaust memory into the future in an era that will see the end of direct survivor testimony. The juxtaposition of text and image creates the conditions for a conversation among generations, shifting back and forth in time and in place as a way of materializing and transmitting loss.

Presenting Agency: Jewish Federation of San Antonio

Speaker: Victoria Aarons
Victoria Aarons holds the position of O.R. and Eva Mitchell Distinguished Professor of Literature in the English Department at Trinity University in San Antonio, where she teaches courses on American Jewish and Holocaust literatures. In addition to numerous articles and book chapters, she is the author or editor of 14 books, including three books on Jewish graphic novels.

Journalism as a Jewish Value

The notion of reporting often seems in conflict with Jewish ideas of lashon hara. But what are the implications of that tension, and what else does the Torah teach us about truth-telling, information spreading and bearing bad news?

Presenting Agency: Jewish Federation of San Antonio

Speaker: Louis Keene
Louis Keene is an award winning reporter for The Forward based in Los Angeles, where he covers religious life, pop culture and crime.

Building Communities Where It's Safe to Ask for Help

Mental health challenges affect every community, yet stigma often prevents people from reaching out when they need support. This session will explore how Jewish congregations, organizations, and community members can create environments where seeking help is viewed as an act of strength rather than weakness.
Presenting Agency: Jewish Family Service San Antonio

Speaker: Roberta Varela-Hein, M.A., LPC-S

Roberta Varela-Hein, MA LPC-S is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Jewish Family Service who is passionate about helping individuals strengthen the connection between their mental and physical well-being.

Threat Overview and FBI Incident Response

Current threat overview and detailed presentation on last year's incident that precipitated the evacuation of the Campus. The Secure Community Network (SCN) serves as the central organization dedicated exclusively to the safety and security of the American Jewish community.

Presenting Agency: Secure Community Network

Speaker: Stephanie R. Post & Bennett Forrest
Stephanie R. Post is the Supervisory Special Agent for the Domestic Terrorism/Civil Rights/WMD, Squad CT-4 of FBI San Antionio Field Office.
Bennett Forrest is the new Supervisory Special Agent for the Threat Response Group.

Modern Challenges to Age-Old Traditions: The Case of Lab-Grown Meat

Technology and modern society constantly challenge Judaism's age-old traditions. From new machinery and globalization to new forms of commerce, government, and social organization, and even with the return to the land of Israel, the modern age has posed significant challenges to Halacha.

Lab-grown meat offers a fascinating case study: How does Halacha respond when the world changes? What tools do rabbis have to adapt Halacha to new realities? And how much can Halacha really change?

Presenting Agency: Vaad Hakashruth of San Antonio

Speaker: Rabbi Elhanan Coffman
Rabbi Coffman is the Director of the Vaad Hakashruth of San Antonio. He grew up in Mexico City and lived in Israel and Uruguay before moving to the city last year.

Our Patriarchs and Their Personalities

To Better Understand the Unique Lives and Missions of each of our 3 Forefathers and how they shaped and continue to shape our Legacy as a People.

Presenting Agency: The Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg San Antonio Community Kollel

Speaker: Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Grossman
Rabbi Grossman grew up in Queens, New York, studied in Yeshiva in Israel and the United States, and has been living in the San Antonio Jewish community holding study groups and Torah classes in his capacity as a Kollel Rabbi.

Text and Context: Navigating Texas's New Bible-Infused Curriculum as Parents and Advocates

We will discuss changes to the Texas education system, look inside the new curriculum requirements, and discuss how parents and advocates can navigate this new environment.

Presenting Agency: Jewish Community Relations Council

Speakers: Lisa Epstein, Ph.D., and Hannah Cramer, J.D.
Hannah Cramer, JD, is the volunteer Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council. She is an attorney practicing in the areas of general school law, student issues, employment, and special education.

Lisa Epstein, PhD, is the Director of Community Relations for the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. She leads advocacy for the Federation at all levels of government, and helps to fight antisemitism through bridge building and education.Epstein was instrumental in making 39 changes to the Bluebonnet Texas public school curriculum to correct religious indoctrination and antisemitism in the curriculum.

If They Build It, Will They Come?: Housing, Growth, and Israel's Future

A behind-the-scenes look at how communities are planned in Israel, why the process is difficult, and what it takes to go from idea to reality. Learn how innovative financing creates opportunities and growth.

Presenting Agency: Jewish National Fund - USA

Speaker: Andrew Max
Andrew Max is the Senior Associate Director, South Texas for Jewish National Fund-USA, where he works to increase support for Israel between San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

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Revolutionary Movements in Ancient Judaism

This talk traces the history of Jewish revolutionary movements from the Maccabean Revolt in the second century BCE to the Bar Kokhba Revolt in the second century CE, examining their origins, ideologies, and lasting historical impact.

Presenting Agency: Jewish Federation of San Antonio

Speaker: Bradley W. Root
Bradley W. Root is Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at St. Mary's University. His research focuses on Jewish history in the Second Temple period.

From Mother to Daughter: Hannah Senesh, her Mother, and the Power of Moral Action

A story of the profound love between a mother and daughter, Catherine and Hannah Senesh, set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. Through Hannah's diary, letters and soul-stirring poetry, we will follow the lives of these two incredible women-culminating in a fate both deeply tragic and fiercely heroic.

Presenting Agency: Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio

Speaker: Robin Long, Event Coordinator, HMMSA
Our presenter, Robin Long, is an attorney by training but is currently serving as the Events Coordinator and Docent for Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio.

Two Jews Three Opinions

How can the Torah be the word of G-d if there are so many Talmudic arguments?
A glimpse into the development of Jewish law and Tradition.

Presenting Agency: Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning

Speaker: Rabbi Chaim Block
Rabbi Chaim Block is the Senior Rabbi at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning.

The Meaning of Kaddish and What it Does Not Have to do With Death

Explore the meaning of the Kaddish prayer and why it is said after the death of loved one and why it does not have anything to do with death.

Presenting Agency: Chevra Kadisha

Speaker: Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg
Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg is Rabbi at Rodfei Sholom and the head of the Chevrah Kadisha of San Antonio.

Building Kinder & More Confident Kids - Lessons from a Camp Director

Help your child grow into a confident, kind, and resilient mensch with a ton of fun along the way. Presented by a Camp Director with 25+ years of experience helping kids grow through immersive, joyful Jewish experiences at Camp.

Presenting Agency: San Antonio Chapter of Hadassah

Speaker: Frank Silberlicht, Executive Director of Camp Young Judaea
Since coming on as Director in 1998, Frank has overseen significant growth at Camp Young Judaea - Texas and its Retreat Center in Wimberley, TX. He considers the Jewish camp experience a life-changing opportunity, a unique setting to learn and grow in life's most important areas in character, in health, and in relationship. While serving as Camp Director (and chief bottle-washer), Frank and his wife Simone have grown their family with their children Elan, Jacob and Rebecca, and their dog, Bella.

Literacy, Biblical Access, and the Roots of Christian Support for Zionism

Why do so many Christians feel a deep connection to the Land of Israel? Part of the answer lies in something surprisingly simple: reading. This session traces how the spread of Bible literacy, starting with the Reformation and the printing press, opened up direct access to Scripture, and how that access helped fuel Christian support for a Jewish return to the Land of Israel.

Presenting Agency: The Starr Family Jewish Day School

Speaker: Sarah Endzweig
Sarah was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and now calls San Antonio home, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. She holds a degree in Psychology with a focus in Special Education. Since arriving in San Antonio, Sarah has found her professional home at TASA, now The Starr Family Jewish Day School (SFJDS), now entering its 14th year. With eighteen years in education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her newest role as Assistant Head of School at SFJDS.

Making Inclusion Jewish Law: Supporting Families with Non-Jewish Loved Ones

Join Rabbi Kaplinsky as we explore the recently published approach of the Conservative Movement to including non-Jewish partners in the religious life of Conservative Jewish institutions. Balancing traditional standards with contemporary realities, the authors of these Teshuvot (Responsa) tackle issues of marriage, receiving synagogue honors, death and burial, and more. Non-Conservative Jews welcome!

Presenting Agency: Congregation Agudas Achim

Speaker: Rabbi David Kaplinsky
Rabbi David Kaplinsky is the Associate Rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim and heads its religious school, IPRS. He is passionate about Jewish music, learning and teaching Torah, and shmoozing. He recorded two albums of original Jewish music-- entitled "Az B'kol" and "Ra'ash Gadol"-- with his good friend, Rabbi Brianah Caplan.

Building Better Jewish Non-Profits

Explore how Jewish nonprofits can be built in a manner worthy of the sacred trust placed in communal institutions. Drawing on the Jewish values of tzedakah (righteous giving), tikkun olam (repairing the world), and kehillah (community), we’ll examine how organizations can lawfully and effectively leverage benefits, tax status, grants, partnerships, volunteer programs, and in-kind support to advance targeted philanthropic initiatives that reflect our shared mission and values.

Presenting Agency: Congregation Shalom of San Antonio

Speaker: Adam Falkiewicz, CPA
Adam M. Falkiewicz is a Texas Certified Public Accountant and accomplished executive with more than 30 years of experience in accounting, taxation, financial management, business strategy, litigation support, and project management. As President and CEO of Adam M. Falkiewicz, P.C., he provides tax, accounting, business consulting, expert witness, and forensic analysis services for individuals, businesses, and law firms.

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