AJC Houston

AJC Houston's 2026 Annual Fundraiser celebrating 80 Years of Impact was a monumental success! Attendees walked away with actionable work that can be carried into our daily lives.

The event honored 80 years of AJC Houston Presidents with a deeply honest conversation moderated by Director Rachel Schneider featuring Emmanuel Acho, Rothko Chapel’s Abdullah Antepli, and Congregation Beth Yeshurun’s Rabbi Brian Strauss. The program perfectly demonstrated how people with different life experiences and beliefs can respectfully sit and engage in meaningful conversations.

Our objective cannot be forcing someone to agree with your opinion. To begin the road to understanding first we need to listen, learn and gain perspective from one another. Thank you to those who attended.
📸credit: © Daniel Ortiz Photography

A special thanks to our Host Committee and Sponsors:
Barbara and Ron Brounes
Iris Fisherman
Martha and Donald Freedman
Ann and J. Kent Friedman
Rae and Rich Friedman
Sharon and Bobby Krumholz
Eve and Bobby Lapin
Ana Bojanini and Jack Lascar
Norri and Jason Leder
Velva G. Levine
Esther and Gary Polland
Regina Rogers
Susan and Stanley Schneider
Debbie and David Simon
Lauren Smith
Robin Stein
Barbara Winthrop and Jay Steinfeld
Irene Weingarten and Richard Wolf
Helene and Dror Zadok

H-E-B, Martha and Don Freedman, Jake and Nina Kamin Foundation,
Cyvia Wolff, Lori and Jay Dushkin/Anissa and Reid Friedman/Alma and Dr. Tom Garcia/Carla Diaz-Lewis and Kenneth Lewis/Tami and Gregg Sheena, Rae and Rich Friedman/Barbara Winthrop and Jay Steinfeld, Ana Bojanini and Jack Lascar,
Ora and Irwin Levowitz, Lauren and Oren Marouni, Ed and Debbie Rochman/Roger and Iris Rochman, Debbie and David Simon,
Helene and Dror Zadok, Harmony Public Schools, Like Minds Talk, Memorial Hermann, and Media Sponsors Jewish Herald-Voice and Houston Style Magazine.

Passover is a time of rejoicing, renewal, and gratitude for the blessings of freedom.

As we gather to celebrate this meaningful holiday, we reflect on the enduring strength, resilience, and hope of the Jewish people, and give thanks for the joys and freedoms we are able to share today.

Please enjoy photos of this year’s Multifaith Community Seder with our partners at Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, ADL Southwest, Evelyn Rubenstein JCC and HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON

AJC Houston Director Rachel Schneider had an OpEd published in the Houston Chronicle this week on the recent attack at her childhood synagogue in Michigan. Drawing on her personal connection to the congregation, Rachel underscores a painful reality that for many American Jews, the fear of antisemitism is a factor in everyday decisions.

“When a synagogue is attacked, the ripple effects extend to Jewish families everywhere who see themselves reflected in those headlines.”

I sent my son to a Jewish pre-K. I shouldn’t have to worry it’ll be attacked. It is not just a Jewish problem when children need armed guards to attend preschool.