3003 Sholom Drive
San Antonio, TEXAS
(210) 493-3557

Jewish Observance in Old San Antonio

June-1996

Although the Jewish community of San Antonio, Texas dates back to the Civil War years, the level of traditional observance has been quite varied. For the last 80 years three major Jewish houses of worship have existed - Temple BethEl (Reform), Agudas Achim (Conservative) and Rodfei Sholom (Orthodox). All three had been in their same locations for over 40 years until Rodfei Sholom moved from the downtown area in 1990. In March 1991 Rodfei Sholom moved into its new permanent building (including a Library, new kitchen, Mikvah and large playground) and from that time there has been a gradual, but continuous growth in the observant community.

Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, originally from Brighton Beach, is the spiritual leader of Rodfei Sholom and deserves credit for the recent growth in the community. While at the downtown location weekly minyonim were intermittent, the new location regularly finds a morning and evening minyan. Whereas downtown there were only two to three families walking to shul on Shabbat, now there are regularly 20 families (and growing) regularly walk. A home hospitality committee (210-493-3557) provides housing and meals in the neighborhood for out of towners or locals who would like to experience Shabbat in the neighboorhood.

A group of friends of the shul, Sholom Associates, has recently bought 3.5 acres of land adjacent to shul and is developing 21 new home sites on this property. An Eruv built by Eruv of San Antonio, Inc. connects the Eruv of the shul with Sholom Associates property and Oak Meadow, the adjacent neighboorhood where most Shomer Shabbat families presently live.

Many educational opportunities exist and are still growing. Childcare from several weeks of age to kindergarden is available at the Jewish Campus from the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and serves over 100 youngsters. The local Jewish Day School, the Jonathan Netanyahu Academy, is in its 24th year and is located on the grounds of the Jewish Campus adjacent to the JCC and Jewish Federation. Presently over 130 students are enrolled in grades K-8.

The San Antonio Association for Jewish Education (SAAJE) offers classes for grades 8-12 through Chai High, mini courses for adults with the JCC Briskman Institute, and teacher training opportunities through the Jewish Educational Directors Council. College credit courses coordinated with UT at Austin are offered in Hebrew, Jewish history and Jewish ethics under the auspicies of the San Antonio Institute for Jewish Studies. SAAJE also supports local youth on trips to Israel during the summer.

A Talmud shiur is held Monday noon at the local medical school using Steinsaltz' Bava Metzia and several groups are learning Tractate Megilla from the Artscroll edition. Rodfei Sholom also has classes in Hebrew, siddur for the beginner, Jewish deed and creed, Mishnah Torah from the Mozniam series, Mishnah (Shabbat or Pirke Avot) depending on the season, as well as men's and ladies' classes on Shabbat afternoon. A learners minyan occurs monthly as does a regular Turn Friday Night into Shabbos. The local Day School, with a grant from the Avi Chai foundation, offers a Crash Course in Hebrew and in Basic Judaism.

Packaged kosher food is available in many grocery stores in town. The Vaad HaKashruth of San Antonio presently has five hotels which will support kosher events with supervision. In addition there are three bakeries regularly under Vaad supervision-Delicious Foods has the best bagels in town as well a a wide assortment of breads and other packaged items, all kosher; the JCC kitchen has challot available on Friday and prepares hot meals for the Day School and many seniors each week, Other bakeries have excellent pastries including cheese danish and cookies.

For a family or an individual looking for a community with none of the pressure of traffic, smog and long waits in line, friendly San Antonio encourages exploration. For more information, please contact the synagogue office or Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg at 210-493-3557, fax 210-492-0629, or e-mail: rodfei@sbcglobal.net.

Updated from THE JEWISH PRESS, April 17, 1992
Page 29

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