Congregation Beth El in Missouri City proudly launched an initiative to “Amplify Jewish Life in Fort Bend County”, funded by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, at a special Shabbat Service held on February 21, 2025.  Congregation President Irene Helsinger, who wrote the proposal, reached out to Mazal Hadassah and the Sweetgrass Havurah and suggested working together to enhance Jewish life in Fort Bend County.

Approximately 100 people – congregants, members of the Sweetgrass Havuarah, Mazal Hadassah, and a number of presidents of other Hadassah chapters in the area - worshipped together and were invited to suggest activities to achieve the objective of a more cohesive, vibrant Jewish community in Fort Bend.

Yaffa Steubinger, from Mazal Hadassah, was enthusiastic about the future collaboration.  “I thought the Service went well!  I’m looking forward to doing things again. We used to have meetings with doctors, and rabbis and things at people’s houses and then Covid hit and we just stopped doing it.”  

Marna Meyer, representing The Jewish Federation, commented on the energy in the room. “I think this was an amazing evening. I'm very proud to be representing the Jewish Federation and what a mitzvah it is to get all these communities together as one and pray together as one.  It was an amazing evening and I hope you will grow from strength to strength.”

Irene Helsinger, who will administer the grant, was gratified by the attendance and is optimistic about the future, “This evening was a wonderful beginning to our initiative of amplifying Jewish Life in Fort Bend County and we will build upon this throughout the year to create a stronger Jewish community.”