Cantor's Blog

 Last weekend, Brith Shalom organized and held a highly successful retreat for conversion candidates from 5 Houston Conservative congregations. Forty five soon- to-be-Jewish participations spent a Shabbat plus together, praying, learning, eating, and socializing together with Houston clergy and communal leaders. Hearing the voices in song, standing arm in arm for Havdalah, and watching people learning to put on Tefillin created life-long precious memories. The formal time together and the informal “shmoozing” helped cement powerful relationships which will benefit our community for years to come.

Passionate presentations by Federation, Jewish Family Service, and the Israeli Consulate exposed all on their journeys to significant Houston organizations and volunteer opportunities for their consideration. Carl Josehart (JFS) and Chandler Waite (Israeli Consulate) were also able to spend the weekend with us establishing relationships and enabling many informal relationships. We thank all three organizations for their time and efforts and their love of the Jewish community, now and in the future.

The success of the weekend of was evinced by the request by the participants that we reproduce the retreat experience for future candidates and the stepping forward by several to offer to provide funding for a future retreat (“paying it forward.”)

We want to thank our incredible staff members, Shlomit Alon and Zach Rouah for all the preparation for the weekend and for providing support throughout the retreat. Their attention to detail helped assure an incredible experience. We also extend our deep thanks to Ryan Coane, our teacher for the Hebrew component of the conversion classes at Brith Shalom (and new member), for attending, helping in every way, and for continuing to build strong relationships with our soon-to-be fifteen new Brith Shalom members.