Houston has a slightly smaller percentage of Jewish population than other major cities, said Taryn Baranowski, the Federation’s chief marketing o cer. But she said the com- munity is strong, vibrant and growing. “Even though it’s a smaller group, it’s very tight-knit, and we get a lot done,” Baranowski said. The last demographic study of the region’s Jewish population was com- pleted in 2016 by the federation. Based on data going back to 1986, the study found that the number of Houston households with at least one Jewish adult increased from 16,000 to 26,000 in 2016. Geography a ects the community’s ability to participate in events, accord- ing to the organization, and those areas in southwest Houston also have Jew- ish institutions such as a synagogue or school. The ERJCC has its religious background, but its doors remain open to all, Diamond said. “It’s a very diverse part of the city, and we really welcome people from all communities to be a part of what we do here,” she said. Community programs With more facility space and renova- tions, new programs are available. The new culinary studio installed in the Joe Weingarten Building o ers culinary classes and events and welcomes chef appearances, which will incorporate Jewish culture and food traditions into programming, ERJCC o cials said. Although the ERJCC hosts events that are often open to the public, a membership is required to take advan- tage of most services, including access to the center’s pool and tness facility. As of March 1, membership reached more than 6,100 individuals, a 17% rise since December, ERJCC Communica- tions Manager Laurie Pickei said. Longtime member Barbara Kalmans is no stranger to programs for seniors at “the J.” She and her friends, who all donated to the renovations, attended the February ceremony together. “I used to live six blocks down the street; now I live farther away, but I was here three times last week,” Kal- mans said. ERJCC CEO Joel Dinkins said the center is in it for the long haul. “The children of our community leaders 60 years ago that built this cam- pus are today’s leaders building a com- munity for tomorrow,” he said.
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during Hurricane Harvey and twice prior. ERJCC board members said they had to re-evaluate whether the cen- ter would remain or relocate, but they decided to rea rm their commitment to the area by investing in the center. “We chose to stay here in this neigh- borhood to help be part of the revi- talization of the Meyerland and west Houston area, and to be here for the entire community—the Jewish com- munity as well as anyone who wants to be here with us,” Diamond said. Rebuilding the center During Harvey, the ERJCC was head- quarters for hurricane relief e orts in the area, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said during the event. “Many wondered how the ERJCC would be rebuilt, but the ERJCC quickly rose to the occasion; instead of shutting its doors completely, the center mobi- lized volunteers and quickly became a mecca of hurricane relief e orts and ood supplies for the entirety of south- west Houston,” he said. At the ceremony, ERJCC Chair Jer- emy Samuels said instead of just ren- ovating the center, they decided to do a complete overhaul and expansion. Development and planning documents with the city of Houston required that the center include a stormwater sewer and detention site. “This facility is a bold post-Har- vey, post-COVID statement that we’re strong and vibrant,” Samuels said. Construction on the $50 million project ran from January 2021 through January 2023. The project added the 126,000-square-foot Samuels Family Community Pavilion as well as 27,000 square feet to the existing center. The three-story pavilion boasts a list of new amenities and spaces, including an aquatics complex with recreational pools and slides; lap pools; a tness center; an outdoor cafe; and family locker rooms equipped with saunas and whirlpools. A growing population The project also included a new $3.5 million Jewish Federation of Greater Houston building. The old building on the ERJCC property was demolished to build on the north end of the center. The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, a Jewish philanthropic orga- nization, partnered with the center in what it called a way of renewing the area as a hub of Jewish life for the future, according to its 2022-23 nan- cial report.
During a dedication ceremony for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center Feb. 26, ERJCC Chair Jeremy Samuels (center) o cially cuts the ribbon. MELISSA ENAJE COMMUNITY IMPACT
The new campus at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center was funded largely by community members. A communitywide effort
New amenities
The new center includes 27,000 square feet of renovations and the new three-story Samuels Family Community Pavilion, which includes an aquatics complex. Samuels Family Community Pavilion • Outdoor cafe terrace • Family lockers, changing rooms, saunas, whirlpools • Library • Fitness center • Indoor children’s playground • Meeting rooms
Cost: $50 million
Funding sources: ERJCC capital campaign committee, over 700 individuals, families and foundation donors Timeline: January 2021-January 2023
Established: 1936 Membership count: 6,140 17% Membership increase since Dec. 1
• Indoor and outdoor lap pool Aquatics complex
• Culinary studio Joe Weingarten Building
SOURCES: EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER HOUSTON, CITY OF HOUSTON PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER COMMUNITY IMPACT
Population growth between 1986-2016
Persons living in Jewish households
Houston households with one Jewish adult
66,000 56,000 46,000 36,000 26,000 16,000 0
63,700
Houston has the 32nd largest Jewish population among other U.S. cities. 51,000 total.
45,000
26,000
of Jewish households live in the Meyerland neighborhood live in Sugar Land, Missouri City, Greatwood and Bellaire combined
14%
16,000
1986
2016
24%
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
SOURCE: JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY IMPACT
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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION • APRIL 2023
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