Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism

Celebrating the Unexpected Joys of Interfaith Family Spirituality

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Join us for a post-winter-holiday program for folks who are part of a family or couple with more than one tradition.

This program is designed to assist interfaith couples in the shaping of a spiritual home by celebrating the best that each faith tradition has to offer.

Bring a picture or an object that best reflects how your family celebrates the Christmas/Chanukah season.

Rabbi Steve Gross and Rabbi Laura Sheinkopf will lead a dynamic interfaith experience as we explore the abundant spiritual opportunities of a multi-faith home.

For more information or to RSVP, please send an email to admin@hcrj.org.

This program is partially underwritten by funding from the Houston Jewish Community Foundation.

Tour of Houston’s Fifth Ward

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This is the fast I have chosen: to unlock the shackles of injustice, to loosen the yoke of tyranny, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every chain asunder…to share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the homeless into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, never withdrawing from your own kin. – Isaiah 58:3-7

On Yom Kippur this year, we committed ourselves to making these words from Isaiah a reality in one of the poorest corners of the city of Houston. Partnering with Rev. Harvey Clemmons, Jr. and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church we made a promise to tend to the needs of Houston’s Fifth Ward.

Join us for an afternoon in the Fifth Ward on Sunday, December 6 at 1:00 for lunch and a bus tour of the community. Please RSVP to admin@hcrj.org by November 20.

Cancer is the Real Enemy

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An Interfaith Dialogue on Breast Cancer Awareness

Meet Ibtisam and Ruth.  Ibtisam is an observant Muslim woman living in the West Bank.  Ruth is an observant Jewish woman living in West Jerusalem. Their relationship, which began in a breast cancer survivors support group, now shines as a beacon of hope in a region that festers with hatred, mistrust and violence.

Join us on Sunday, October 18, as we invite members of the Christian and Muslim communities for a very unique dialogue on the Palestinian / Israeli conflict. With breast cancer as our common enemy, we will seek to understand each other’s narratives through the lens of our common struggles.

 

Shabbat Services: Kids 4 Peace

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Kids 4 Peace 1

All are welcome to join us at 7:15 Join us for a profoundly moving service as a group of teens from Israel and the Palestinian territories grace us with their stories after having spent the previous week at a camp called Kids 4 Peace.

The purpose of this camp, which takes place outside of Houston, is to promote transformational encounters through a residential camp for Israeli, Palestinian and American teenagers.

These children have had the privilege of working with Billy Jonas, a nationally acclaimed star in the world of children’s music. Billy, who is most recognized for his magical music made from recycled materials, will join us on Friday, August 14 to lead us in worship with Rabbi Gross and Dr. Jane Becker.

The Other Side of the Picket Line

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HCRJ, along with the Holocaust Museum Houston’s NEXTGeneration, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s Young Adult Division (YAD), LULAC, NAACP, and Teach for America (TFA)  are proud to co-sponsor the ADL’s Young Leader & Professionals Program, “The Other Side of the Picket Line” featuring Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper, Former Members of the Westboro Baptist Church.

The Event is free with code for ADL – YLP Members or $20 for Non-Members

The Westboro Baptist Church is known for its public hate-filled protests. As granddaughters of the church’s founder and pastor, Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper were raised on Westboro’s vitriolic rhetoric and believed it. One day they gained new perspectives from a Jewish internet blogger, and realized they could no longer support the mission. Hear the story behind their decision to leave the church and their family, and now work to build bridges with communities they once hated, including Houston.

Click HERE to RSVP.  All attending must RSVP by March 17 at   Light hors d’oeuvres served. Seating is limited.

 

 

Annual Jewish / Muslim Christmas Program

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Every year we join with our Muslim Friends to spend some time together on Christmas Eve.  

We learn.  We laugh.  We get to know each other’s faith and each other as individuals.  

Last year we welcomed 150 Jews, Muslims and Christians to our annual Jewish/Muslim Christmas program.  Our success was partially due to the fact that we included a movie (a very Jewish thing to do on Christmas Eve). 

Join us for the Fifth Annual Jewish/Muslim Christamas as we gather to watch the short PBS movie entitled, Enemy of the Reich: The Noor Inayat Khan Story

This movie is a moving account of a young Muslim woman who sacrificed her life to combat the brutal domination of Nazi Germany.  In a world where tensions between Judaism and Islam can be highly strained, this movie challenges all of us to stand up for what is right and just. 

Please Dress Modestly

Interfaith Texans Tailgate

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Calling all of our high school and middle school students!

Join us on November 16th immediately following religious school for an interfaith tailgating party at HCRJ. Our friends from Crescent Youth (the youth group of the Muslim community) will join us for food and fun as we watch the Houston Texans play the Cleveland Browns.

At half-time, we will have games and contests for all. RSVP to Michelle and Max at hcrjyouth@hcrj.org. 

Parents of both faiths are invited to stay and enjoy the festivities.