Picture:  Wor. Bro. Lawrence Barris, President Bro. Joe Blog, Bro. Scott Gardner and Bro. Paul Wainstein

Lodge Galil presented the Mitzvah Man Award for this year to Scott Gardner.

On presenting the award, HOD Galil President Bro. Joe Blog said that HOD greatly appreciates the extremely generous support that Scott has provided for the Lodge and the worthwhile charities it supports.  Joe continued to add that Scott is an extremely valuable member of the Hebrew Order of David Galil family in Houston. Many of the HOD Galil members work diligently, providing many acts of kindness throughout Houston and the surrounding areas.  It was difficult to select a single person to receive this award, but Scott is an excellent recipient.

It is intended that this becomes an annual award, presented each year to a Lodge member going above and beyond the norm for Mitzvah activities.

This year alone, HOD Galil has provided charitable support for many local Jewish Charities including the Federation, JFS, Friendship Circle, Aishel House, Count Me In (BBYO), Seven Acres, Meals-on Wheels, Hebrew Free Loan Association, Goldberg Towers and Chai House in Dallas.

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Dear Houston HOD Brethren All,

Announcement of new HOD Global Initiative - the HOD / Maccabi Global 5k Fun Run

HOD International Lodges are going to be partnering with Future Leaders Forum, a division of the Maccabi Games World Union, to participate in a 5k race called the Maccabi Fun Run.  Maccabi Fun Run is an extraordinary community FUN and Charity Sport Day where people run or even walk together with, and for their favorite charity organization. 100% of your registration fee will be donated to the charity of your choice from our list! This is what makes Maccabi Fun Run a special community event, different from anything you have ever experienced!

This event will be held in each of the cities that HOD lodges are located in globally.  This will be an opportunity for each of our Lodges to raise some money for charities we select as well as great publicity for us.   The selected charities will be associated with Children's Health and Well Being.

The Maccabi Fun Run was held in 25 cities across the world in 2019 with over 15,000 people participating. Hundreds of Jewish organizations participate in it and several other Jewish organizations will also be participating with us. People/families of all ages participate, and they can walk or run.

Please see the link here: http://globalfunrun.org/

The organizer from HOD is Anton Teper, who is the HOD Deputy Grand Lodge President.  Anton is based in London.  He is working with the organizer of the Maccabi Games for us to partner with them.   The goals of HOD participating are to affiliate with a cause: to raise funds for a any local charities that are related to Children’s Health and Well Being. 

Our HOD role is simple: for our Houston lodges to get at least 30 runners in Houston to participate.  Each runner will raise some money for our charity. That’s it.  We expect though that we will have hundreds or thousands of runners for this event.

Also, since we have experience in organizing events in Houston, we can also help organize this event or serve on committees to help organize if you wish.  We will be working with the Houston volunteer from the Maccabi Games Future Leaders Forum who will be organizing this in Houston. Also, the race will not be scheduled until possibly summer 2021 if it is safe at that time.  If Covid is still an issue, then the race would be scheduled later in 2021 or possibly into 2022.

Please watch the following video presentation to some of us in Dallas and Houston by Anton Teper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUAqjjcXI5I&feature=youtu.be

We are in the beginning stages of this and will have more information coming up soon.  Governing Lodge and all HOD lodges will be supporting & participating in this.  We will also discuss it at upcoming Lodge meetings.

Regards,

Joe Blog                                               Ivor Segall

President, Lodge Galil                           President, Lodge Tikvah   

A true Mitzvah performed by a Brother of HOD Galil.

One of the many reasons I am proud of our Jewish Fraternity.

Recently I tried to post an item on the "JobWise" section of the website but in the end it was easier to use the Official Info. secure What'sApp site. It mentioned a Job or Mitzvah for a Companion once or twice a week for 2 to 4 hours to spend time with an 82 year old Jewish man who is still physically active but who is suffering from cognitive decline.

One of our Brethren stepped forward as he had the desire, time and ability to assist with this as a Mitzvah.

A shidduch resulted. A meeting with the gentleman and his wife resulted with a visit and she sent me a personal email - "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness in helping ..name...  After the meeting with ..Bro.. he was very pleased, he enjoyed the conversation and companionship."  At the same time I received a copy of this from our Brother to the Gentleman's wife - "I enjoyed meeting you and ..name.. and look forward to returning Wednesday".

Thank you to the Brother who stepped forward.

You are a true Mench.

Wednesday 11-4-2020: Delivered Insulated drink cups to Aishel House. 

Rochelle was extremely grateful as they will not only use them for patients and the families at their facility but also for meals that Aishel House deliver to patients in nearby hospitals. Apparently they had been looking for a better way to send over the hot soup they make and these cups with a sealed lid are perfect. 

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Sunday 11-15-2020: We gave 70 mugs to BBYO for the Count Me In project.

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To be delivered soon:

Chabad House at Texas A&M College Station 

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Chai House in Dallas = Jewish Group Home 

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Friendship Circle, Houston  

Pic to be converted to jpeg

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Friday 10-30-2020:  Insulated drink cups given to Wimbledon winner Lori McNeil,  French Open tennis winner, for the kids of the Zina Garrison Tennis Academy. 

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Ronald McDonald House, Houston.

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L to R: Haim Segall, Isaac Johary, Vincent Wedelich, Lodge Tikvah President Ivor Segall, Joshua Segall, Ralph Grenville, Lodge Tikvah VP Steven Meyer, Alex Segall, Jack Schlossberg, Ray Sass & Dovid Goldstein.

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The Official Consecration and Installation of Founding Officers of Lodge Tikvah took place in West Houston, Texas on Sunday November 1st 2020 at 11.30 am.

This was a worldwide event following HOD and CDC guidelines with social distancing. Some local HOD members gathered at the Chabad of West Houston location while others took part via Zoom on a large TV screen. Participants from the organizations International Governing body conducted the ceremonies with assistance from members of the North America Governing body.   

The second Houston Lodge was sponsored by Lodge Galil of Houston, Texas who were recently Honored with the award of "Premier Lodge of the Order" at the 2020 Biennial International Conference.

The Hebrew Order of David is a Jewish fraternal organization supporting its members, and serving the community, applying Jewish ideals and values while providing its members the opportunity for personal development.  It is over 100 years old.

If interested in reading more about Lodge Tikvah please go to their website at  www.hodtikvah.org  

This unveiling was postponed due to Covid-19 but was rescheduled - with social distancing and according to CDC & City of Houston guideline earlier today - part of our ongoing Gravestone Project. Only 9 Brethren plus Rabbi Aaron Sataloff from Beth Israel participated. 

Kathy Parven from Beth Israel and our Scribe Bro. Mark K.  maintained a distance to observe and take pictures.

Our President Bro. Joe Blog commented:

"Brethren, since only a maximum of 10 people were allowed, we did not pre-announce this event. Let's hope that the next unveiling has no restrictions and we can all attend."

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HOD Galil donates to Houston’s Jewish Charities

The brethren of the Hebrew Order of David Lodge Galil, Houston’s Jewish men’s fraternity, decided to allocate funds normally used for lodge meetings, to some of the local Jewish Charities.

Joe Blog, President of HOD Lodge Galil says that it is one of the main roles of the Hebrew Order of David to provide support to the local community.  These donations help the lodge to meet its goals of Unity, Fraternity, Love and Peace.

The charities chosen to receive these donations were:

• ·       Houston Jewish Federation
• ·       Jewish Family Services
• ·       Kosher Jewish Meals on Wheels
• ·       Hatzolah
• ·       ERJCC
• ·       Seven Acres

Below, HOD Galil Trustee, Paul Wainstein, presenting a socially distant check to Carl Josehart, JFS Chief Operating Officer.

HOD Galil Scribe, Mark Katzenellenbogen, presenting a socially distant check to Bro.David Fishman, Hatzalah of Houston Founder and President.

HOD Galil Trustee, Alan Lipman, presenting a socially distant check to Morgan Steinberg, ERJCC Kosher Jewish Meals on Wheels.

HOD Galil Trustee, Alan Lipman, presenting a socially distant check to Anita Bormaster, ERJCC.

HOD Galil Trustee, Alan Lipman, presenting a socially distant check to Kari Dunn Saratovsky, President and CEO Houston Jewish Federation.

Sunday 3-8-2020: Members of SW Houston Hatzalah assisted with the "Stop the Bleed" seminar that Lodge Galil arranged for our members.

 L to R: Rabbi Mendy Traxler, Bro. Paul Wainstein (Past HOD Galil President), Leonik Kalmanovich (EMT, who conducted the seminar), Bro. Joe Blog (HOD Galil President) & Bro. David Fishman (SW Houston Hatzalah Founder and President).

More pictures on our website - click News and then Photos.

Even though there are not nearly as many Jewish residents living at the Goldberg Towers as there were in the 1980's, there still are many who do call it home and they really appreciate Yiddishkeit. The HOD sponsored Purim party was well attended. The residents enjoyed it, especially with so many fantastic Jewish kids participating. 

Yasher Koach to Linda Shkedy and her husband Bro. Clive who are pictured on the left side of picture below:

Below is a note from Linda Shkedy to all involved with the Purim program.

"The Purim program was absolutely incredible! The children really made it so special. Thank you parents for bringing your kids. The impromptus play was delightful What a fabulous treat for all the residents. A huge thank you to man of the moment, Danny Gavin. We definitely couldn’t do it without you. You are truly amazing! Always willing to help and give your talent and time. Thanks also to those who bought food, or gave money. Your contributions are always appreciated.  Last, but definitely not least, the HOD, the Hebrew Order of David, for always sponsoring the delicious lunch and helping by being there and serving. Yashor Koach to all."

More pictures on our website - click News and then Photos.