Every year, Jewish teens around the world join each other throughout the spring to make their community and the world a better place. This year teens can choose to focus on either antisemitism or the inclusion of marginalized communities, making a direct impact on these issues. NCJW Houston is thrilled to be a part of this year's J-Serve day!

Zoom into action with us! 📅 Join our upcoming NCJW board meeting from the comfort of your own space on April 9th at noon. Your participation is key, and we're looking forward to a productive session! 💼💬

Mark your calendars and get ready to be inspired! 🗓️ Join us on April 5th at The Briar Club for 'Women of Influence' – an afternoon of celebration and empowerment as we honor remarkable women who are shattering glass ceilings and making a difference in our Houston community. Let's come together to uplift, inspire, and support these incredible leaders! 💪✨

Join NCJW Houston’s Period Project team as we deliver products to Energized for STEM Academy with Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher!

Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo

A thought-provoking novel that intricately weaves together the themes of slavery, marriage, and personal liberation. Set against the backdrop of historical struggles for freedom, the book follows the journey of individuals navigating the complexities of power dynamics within relationships. Through compelling characters and rich storytelling, Woo explores the interconnectedness of societal structures and personal autonomy, inviting readers to reflect on the nuances of oppression and liberation in various contexts. With its blend of history, romance, and social commentary, "Master Slave Husband Wife" offers a poignant exploration of human resilience and the quest for self-determination.

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls

A riveting new novel about an indomitable young woman in Virginia during Prohibition.

Most folk thought Sallie Kincaid was a nobody who’d amount to nothing. Sallie had other plans.

Sallie Kincaid is the daughter of the biggest man in a small town, the charismatic Duke Kincaid. Born at the turn of the 20th century into a life of comfort and privilege, Sallie remembers little about her mother who died in a violent argument with the Duke. By the time she is just eight years old, the Duke has remarried and had a son, Eddie. While Sallie is her father’s daughter, sharp-witted and resourceful, Eddie is his mother’s son, timid and cerebral. When Sallie tries to teach young Eddie to be more like their father, her daredevil coaching leads to an accident, and Sallie is cast out.

Nine years later, she returns, determined to reclaim her place in the family. That’s a lot more complicated than Sallie expected, and she enters a world of conflict and lawlessness. Sallie confronts the secrets and scandals that hide in the shadows of the Big House, navigates the factions in the family and town, and finally comes into her own as a bold, sometimes reckless bootlegger.

You will fall in love with Sallie Kincaid, a feisty and fearless, terrified and damaged young woman who refuses to be corralled.

Join us for an inspiring documentary screening, "Bella: Celebrating International Women’s Day," sponsored by NCJW Houston.

Discover the remarkable story of Bella Abzug, a powerhouse of the 1970s political scene, through the lens of director Jeff Lieberman. Embrace Bella's unwavering commitment to equality and justice as she embarks on her groundbreaking journey from activist to U.S. Congress. Featuring captivating archival footage and exclusive interviews with influential figures such as Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, and Barbra Streisand, this documentary brings Bella's spirited advocacy and complex persona to life, igniting a path for women’s rights.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate an icon of women's equality and be inspired by Bella's enduring legacy.

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.

It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.

Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.

Join us for an inspiring documentary screening, "No Ordinary Campaign," sponsored by NCJW Houston.

At 37, Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS—on the same day he and his wife Sandra brought their youngest daughter home from the hospital. A broken system offered no hope for a cure or even a drug that could meaningfully extend Brian's life. No Ordinary Campaign follows Brian and Sandra's fight to remake a healthcare system for their own future - and for the millions of other patients living with rare and neurodegenerative diseases.

Get ready to celebrate Galentine's Day in style! 🗓️ Save the date for our upcoming NCJW board meeting on February 13th at 6:30 PM. Join us for a night of engaging discussions and collaboration. It's going to be a productive and empowering evening! 💪✨

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by J. McBride

The new novel from the bestselling, National Book Award-winning, Oprah Book Club-picked, Barack Obama favourite James McBride.

In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighbourhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows.

As these characters' stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how much the people who live on the margins struggle and what they must do to survive. When the truth is finally revealed about what happened on Chicken Hill and the part the town's white establishment played in it, McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community-heaven and earth-that sustain us.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Start the new year right! 🖥️ Stay connected from anywhere and kick off 2023 with us at the NCJW board meeting via Zoom on January 9th at noon. Your insights and ideas are invaluable, and we can't wait to see you there!

We invite you to be part of our Winter Wonderland Party at SEARCH's House of Tiny Treasures, a nationally acclaimed preschool dedicated to children experiencing homelessness.

Please help us spread joy by volunteering at the party on Friday, December 8th from 9-11. Your support can bring smiles and cherished memories to their lives. Sign up today and be a part of this heartwarming event!

The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by L. Anthony

Lawrence Anthony devoted his life to animal conservation, protecting the world's endangered species. Then he was asked to accept a herd of "rogue" wild elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand. His common sense told him to refuse, but he was the herd's last chance of survival: they would be killed if he wouldn't take them.

In order to save their lives, Anthony took them in. In the years that followed he became a part of their family. And as he battled to create a bond with the elephants, he came to realize that they had a great deal to teach him about life, loyalty, and freedom.

The Elephant Whisperer is a heartwarming, exciting, funny, and sometimes sad memoir of Anthony's experiences with these huge yet sympathetic creatures. Set against the background of life on an African game reserve, with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, Anthony's unrelenting efforts at animal protection and his remarkable connection with nature will inspire animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.

Remarkable Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures, an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

Stay connected from anywhere! 🖥️ Join us for our upcoming NCJW board meeting via Zoom on November 12th at noon. Your insights and ideas matter, and we're excited to see you there! 💬💼

📚 Get ready to join the most captivating event of the Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival festival! 🌟 This event will put the spotlight on the burning topic of book banning, unraveling its profound impact on society. 🎉 Brace yourself for an electrifying panel discussion where our extraordinary panelists, each armed with their unique perspective, will dive into the far-reaching consequences of book banning on different facets of our lives. 💥 Don’t miss out! Register now and be a part of this exhilarating exploration! Sponsored by NCJW, Houston!

Free Registration Here

Join us for the 2023 Jewish Book & Arts Festival Opening Night featuring Martin Fletcher, the author of 'Teachers: The Ones I Can't Forget.' 📚🎨 In conversation with Khambrel Marshall, Host of Houston Newsmakers, on Saturday, November 4th at 8:00 PM. ✨

Martin Fletcher, a legendary NBC News foreign correspondent, shares his experiences encountering people on their toughest days throughout his career. 🌍🎤 Through his book's powerful images and heartfelt memories, he reflects on the valuable lessons learned from his 'teachers'—those who persevered, no matter the circumstances. 🙏💫 In a time when news coverage is often criticized for bias, this is a poignant reminder of the integrity, dedication, and empathy that underpin authentic global reporting. 🌏📰 Don't miss this insightful and inspiring evening!

Free Registration Here!

The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes

For fans of The Rose Code and The Paris Library, The Librarian of Burned Books is a captivating WWII-era novel about the intertwined fates of three women who believe in the power of books to triumph over the very darkest moments of war.

Join NCJW Houston in making a difference this Halloween season! We invite you to be part of our annual Halloween Party at SEARCH's House of Tiny Treasures, a nationally acclaimed preschool dedicated to children experiencing homelessness. You can spread joy in two meaningful ways: by volunteering at the party on Thursday, October 26th from 9-11 or by contributing on our website to help purchase Halloween costumes, treats, and more for these incredible children. Your support can bring smiles and cherished memories to their lives. Sign up today and be a part of this heartwarming event!

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Welcome to the revolution, ladies. There’s a reason that NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprah, and so many others named Lessons in Chemistry a Best Book of the Year. It’s just so delightful, so exhilarating.

Novelist Bonnie Garmus takes us back to the early 1960’s, where the siren call for housewives was the hit cooking show, Supper at Six. Supper at Six was a sacred hour for stay at home women–children didn’t dare to disturb their mothers. Why? Our heroine, a brilliant chemist, finds herself a reluctant, increasingly stubborn host on the hit cooking show. She dares to challenge — and elevate –American women one tablespoon at a time. Notwithstanding the misogyny our heroine fights to stay afloat, Lessons in Chemistry is so funny, and so satisfying. Bonnie Garmus certainly knows how to bond with her audience. (Apologies to scientists everywhere.)

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Our next NCJW board meeting is set for October 10th at 6:30 PM. We can't wait to see you in person for important discussions and collaboration. Let's make it a productive evening!

🌟 Calling all NCJW members! 🌟

Are you ready to make a difference and create lasting impact? Join us for a vital Steering Committee Meeting as we gear up for our spectacular L'Dor V'Dor gala! 🎉 This is your chance to be part of something truly meaningful! We need YOUR passion, ideas, and dedication to make this gala unforgettable. Let's come together, plan, and make a positive change in our community.

(contact Shellie at info@ncjwhouston.org for Zoom link)

Maus One & Two by Art Spiegelman

Maus is a haunting tale within a tale, weaving the author’s account of his tortured relationship with his aging father into an astonishing retelling of one of history's most unspeakable tragedies. It is an unforgettable story of survival and a disarming look at the legacy of trauma.