JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service

01/12/2026

Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS) condemns in the strongest terms the anti-Semitic act of arson targeting Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi. An attack on a synagogue is an attack on the safety, dignity, and sense of belonging that all children and families deserve.

As a regional Jewish children’s social service agency serving the South, JCRS stands in solidarity with the Jackson Jewish community and with all those impacted by hate and violence. We are grateful that no lives were lost, and we join our partners across faiths and communities in rejecting anti-Semitism and affirming our shared responsibility to protect and care for one another.

11/21/2025

Tickets are on sale now for our 3rd annual Latkes with a Twist event on Thursday, December 4th in Houston at Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX featuring Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen and Ziggy Gruber. It will another deli-cious spread of all your holiday favorites, along live music, and a limited open bar with specialty cocktails.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AT THE LINK BELOW https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E104372&id=64

All proceeds from the event support the need-based scholarship programs of JCRS in Houston for Jewish summer camp, college aid, and subsidies for children with special needs.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS: Ben & Micki Bronston, David & Wynnie Hoodis, The Caress Families, Fran & Julian Koch, Texas Mattress Makers, Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center, Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX Congregation Beth Yeshurun Congregation Brith Shalom, Camp Young Judaea-Texas, URJ Greene Family Camp, Houston Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Herald-Voice.

10/22/2025

Houston…we have a project!! Let’s make the season shine for all this Hanukkah.

As the Festival of Lights approaches, we invite you to join us in making this season truly special for every member of our community, especially those in need.

The Houston Chanukah Project provides several ways to keep the light shining brightly for local families and seniors, including adopting a child for eight nights of gifts, donating gift cards for families, attending our festive wrap party, and more.

For more information, visit houstonjewish.org/chanukahproject.

This effort is in partnership with Alexander Jewish Family Service and JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service.

07/13/2025

The magic of Jewish summer camp!

From the moment I arrived and was greeted by Jacob Fijman, the HSJ development director, I was immersed in the energy and warmth that define the Jacobs Camp experience. I spent time with campers of all ages – kids from Memphis, Birmingham, Houston, Hot Springs, and, of course, New Orleans. I even ...

04/03/2025

Next week is the opening of a new special exhibition at The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience entitled Most Fortunate Unfortunates that explores the history of the Jewish Orphans' Home of New Orleans from 1855-1946 that was the precursor of today's JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service. Based on Marlene Trestman's book of the same title, the exhibit will feature archival pieces and items on loan by JCRS and will run through January 2026. Join Marlene Trestman and us at the opening reception on Wednesday, April 9th in partnership with the museum. Registration is required through Emma Herr at MSJE.

https://sjlmag.com/2025/03/25/new-msje-exhibit-explores-history-of-regional-jewish-orphans-home-in-new-orleans/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJbgJ9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdpklrNc4BKHdHfJzk0QDDiVOiXBxQjTEQG13nc5Z1Q17bKeOlV40VV4TA_aem_qCXBYY8N_H0Cu8w1xgeQYg

12/10/2024

You're not dreaming!!! Only 5 more days until Latkes with a Twist LIVE in Houston! at Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX with Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen and Ziggy Gruber.

Get your tickets now at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E104372&id=56

Ziggy Gruber Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen Vicki Samuels Duke Levy Houston Jewish Community Foundation Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX Congregation Beth Yeshurun Jewish Herald-Voice David Hoodis Wynnie Hoodis Mark Rubin JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service

11/14/2024

Join us for our 2nd Annual Latkes with a Twist LIVE in Houston! at Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX on Sunday, December 15th at 6:00 PM for great food from Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen, with live music from the Kosher Klezmer Band, along with a limited open bar serving specialty cocktails and more. Last year's event was a SELL OUT, so get your tickets now!

TICKETS ARE AVILABLE NOW at https://jcrs.org/events/latkes-with-a-twist/ or calling (800)729-5277. All proceeds benefit the JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service need-based camp, college and special needs scholarships for Jewish youth in Houston.

Major sponsors include Ben Bronston and Micki Bronston, Fran Koch, David Hoodis and Wynnie Hoodis, the Caress Families, and the Stein Family. Additional sponsors and community partners include Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Congregation Brith Shalom, Camp Young Judaea-Texas, URJ Greene Family Camp Erin Ellis Mason, Houston Jewish Community Foundation, Erin Kronberg and Bradley Scott Eisemann, Paul & Leah Katz, and media sponsor, Jewish Herald Voice Vicki Samuels Duke Levy. Special thanks to Ziggy Gruber and David Lyon!

TWO GREAT CITIES - TWO LATKES WITH A TWIST Celebrate the Festival of Lights with JCRS! Named one of the Top 10 Hanukkah parties in the US by the Washington Post, Latkes with a Twist is always a fun evening filled with good friends, live music,

10/22/2024

Come out this Sunday, October 27th to volunteer with JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service to wrap thousands of gifts for at-risk families from across the Mid-South. The JCRS Hanukkah Wrap-A-Thon will be at Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie from 10am-4pm. Fun for all and service hours are available for students. Doughnuts, muffins, pizza, snacks and drinks will be served all day. All gift wrapping materials will be provided. Hope to see you there!!

10/02/2024

L'Shana Tova!

08/27/2024

Join us in Houston for a night of fun, friends, and supporting JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service!

08/01/2024

JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service is participating in Gulf Coast Bank's Auctions in August! Bid on hundreds of items to benefit nonprofits: Music • Sports Memorabilia • Vacations • Gift Baskets • Pet Services & Supplies • Art • and Much More. JCRS's item is an original "Golf Tees" sculpture by artist Daniel Meyer (ITEM -8902). View all the items here:

Auctions in August is an online auction Gulf Coast Bank hosts & facilitates benefiting nonprofits throughout the month of August.

07/22/2024

Adam Gold JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service In honor of and in memory of Ned Goldberg on his birthday, we’re happy to share The ABC’S OF NED, a heartfelt books of Ned-isms, written by Adam, Ned, Jodie, and Wendy. All proceeds from sales benefit JCRS. Yiu can purchase the book here: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-abcs-of-ned
May Ned’s memory always be a blessing.