The Texas Gulf Coast’s Jewish Newspaper Since 1908

1908 2013

104 years

March 7, 2013 - 25 ADAR 5773 � Volume CV - Number 53 � Houston, Texas � jhvonline.com � $2 Per Copy

Women’s Seder to celebrate 20th year

In celebration of the part women have played in the history of the Jewish people, the National Council of Jewish Women invites women, men and children in the community to participate in the 20th year of the Women’s Seder. The Seder will be held on Thursday, March 14, at Congregation Beth Israel.

Participants will celebrate the role of women in the Passover story, using the Haggadah, with original readings, as well as spirited music and food. Cantor Marilyn Ladin will conduct the

Program imparts counter-missionary advice to studentsBy MICHAEL C. DUKE

Students learned to rebuff attempts by “Messianic Jews” to missionize them to Christianity.

Teens from five Houston-area congregational schools met at Brith Shalom synagogue Feb. 27 for a local Jewish Federation-co-sponsored

Shlenker read-a-thon supports pet projectBy MICHAEL C. DUKE

Third-graders at The Shlenker School are conducting a read-a-thon to help train service dogs that assist Texans living with hearing and mobility challenges.

Held from late February to early March, the fundraiser is part of an action-based curriculum that promotes literacy and teaches core Jewish values, such as tikkun olam – “repairing the word.”

“I want to help people in wheelchairs, so they can have service dogs,” said Shlenker third-grader, Josh Siegel. “My goal is to read at least 25 books. I’ve been reading at least an hour every day.”

The money raised by the read-a-thon will be donated to

WHAT’S INSIDE

Meditations on the Aleph-Bet: Kuf ..................................................................... Page 2 Scholar lauds new Jewish museum opening in Warsaw ............................. Page 3 The video that brought down the dean of the White House Press Corps .... Page 5 A sneak peak at the JHV’s 2013 Passover Magazine .................................... Page 8 The best in Jewish cinema around the world at Jewish Film Fest ........... Page 23

Seven Acres CEO urges Legislature to fund nursing home

Medicaid fullyPage 16

Beren falls in 4 OTs at state semifinalsBy MATT SAMUELS

When it comes to the Robert M. Beren Academy boys basketball team, there is never any shortage of drama.

One year after drawing worldwide attention for their decision not to play on the Jewish Sabbath, the Stars played one of the most dramatic basketball games in TAPPS playoff history March 1, falling to Boerne Geneva in quadruple overtime.

See Beren on Page 34

SAMANTHA STEINBERG

Beren basketball coach Chris Cole huddles his team up during the TAPPS 2A state semifinal game on March 1.

Chili getsbetter with age

See Program on Page 7

PHOTOS BY JHV: GILLIAN REINGOLD

The Medallion-Seven Acres team won first place. Jane Shapiro, judge Ziggy Gruber, Annette Betz and Seth Malin. Inset: Amanda Gutierrez, Margo Karr and Marlyn Esparza from Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber, P.C.

Seven Acres wins 3rd annual Kosher Chili Cookoff

See Project on Page 8

See Seder on Page 8

REMEMBER TO SET YOUR

CLOCKS FORWARD AN HOUR THIS WEEKEND!

By GILLIAN REINGOLD

The day was hot, the music festive and the chili delicious, as white tents filled with folks and the air with the aroma of the festival food. Approximately 2,500 people showed up to the third annual Houston Kosher Chili Cookoff on Sunday, March 3, held in the parking

lot of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. The event was co-chaired by Dr. Steven Weiss and Jeff Friedman.

The 29 participating teams came from Orthodox, Conservative and Reform congregations, Jewish homes, day schools and organizations, Hillels, retail stores and funeral homes. Proceeds from the event

were earmarked for Aishel House, which won for Best Showmanship, Jewish Family Service Alexander Institute, ERJCC Meals on Wheels, and the establishment of a Joshua Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund.

First place went to The Medallion-Seven Acres team. Second place

See Chili on Page 4