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.

Yasher Koach to Bro. Ivor and ALL HOD Brethren who volunteered and/or came over to show support. It appears that at least 43 Brethren attended the event at some time or another today.

Our chili was clearly the BEST. We ran out early and everyone who commented, said it was ... SUPER GOOD.

Even though we did not place, there is no question that we were once again the "most social" group as was reported last year (2019) by the JHV food reporter.

Tons of pictures will be added ASAP.

The early group pictured below:

14 Brethren placed 8 markers at Adath Israel Cemetery

so 16 stones unveiled so far.

   

      

  

     

Group unveiling the 8th marker pictured below and reading the Hebrew prayers from their cell phones. This specific grave has shifted and did not have a headstone or marker:

Four of the eight were unnamed. This is a very old cemetery that merged into the current UOS (United Orthodox Synagogues). Many records were not passed on to UOS and/or some were lost during the three major floods that devastated UOS between 2015 and 2017.

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Video below that needs to be corrected - apologies for not starting to record when Bro. Stuart M. began to talk but his words were touching, sincere and meaningful.

Yasher Koach to HOD Galil.

HOD 8 markers at Aduth Israel 2-23-2020.mov

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February was Houston’s Hebrew Order of David’s (HOD) “Chaverschaft” (social) month, where members meet for a friendly barbecue, they donate blood together, with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Centre and listen to an interesting guest speaker.  The guest speaker was Harry Brown, representing the Chevra Kadisha.

Harry explained how the group of dedicated volunteers takes care of the last rights of our loved ones after they pass on. He explained that the deceased are ritually washed, dressed in shrouds, and prepared for burial according to tradition for their journey to the next world.  The audience of HOD brethren and their families were impressed by the amazing work done to people who can never repay the volunteers; the highest form of Jewish charity.  It was clear to all how the work done by the Chevra Kadisha, so closely matches HOD’s new Gravestone Project, which is putting gravestone markers on all of Houston’s unmarked Jewish graves.

Harry surprised those present when he explained how normally the Chevra Kadisha would, once a year, organize a lunch or dinner for their donors to thank them for their support, but this year they decided to rather contribute these funds to HOD to help finance the Gravestone project.  The very generous donation from the Chevra Kadisha, was most graciously accepted by the HOD team involved in the project.

To donate to HOD’s Gravestone Project, please visit: https://www.hodgalil.org/Donate

More pictures of the event: