Bar and Leshem Maor love Israeli music, food, arts and culture. Perhaps, the only thing they like more is sharing their passion for Israel with others.
As Houston’s new shlichim (Israeli emissaries), the young married couple will spend the next two years bringing Israeli customs, traditions and fun to Texas.
The couple moved to Houston in August as part of the Jewish Agency For Israel’s shlichim program. Bar will work through the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, while Leshem will work at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC.
“We’ve only heard good things about Houston, and the community has been very welcoming,” Bar told the JHV. “We like the culture and think it will be a perfect match for us.”
Leshem grew up working in teen programs and saw Houston as a great opportunity for the next stop on their journey.
“Most shlichim assignments are for singles, but Houston has had a nice tradition of having couples, which was perfect for us,” Leshem told the JHV.
“Our main goal is to bring Israel to everything we do. I plan on doing that through the J by getting involved in programs – from early childhood to teens and seniors.”
Many of the programs the couple will lead include celebrating the Jewish holidays.
They recently helped lead a PJ Library Sukkot Afterschool Playdate on Oct. 1 and have another event planned for Sunday, Oct. 18, at North Houston Farms.
“We will teach the children to sing the ‘Old MacDonald’ song in Hebrew,” Bar said.
Animals are a big part of the couple’s life, as Leshem used to work at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem. The couple also traveled to Houston with their two pets: Tuches, their cat, and Johnny, their Labrador retriever.
“We did one activity with our Johnny at a scavenger hunt with teens where we taught them how to train your dog in Hebrew,” Leshem said.
Add Bar, “Johnny is Israeli and only understands Hebrew, so we taught the kids how to say the commands and he cooperated very well.”
Bar, who especially loves creative art and music, will be involved with the Federation’s Kehillah High and Young Adult Division.
Leshem, who loves sharing her passion for Israeli food and theater, enjoys working two mornings a week with preschoolers at Bertha Alyce Early Childhood Academy.
“The kids are so cute, and I have such a good time,” she said. “I taught them the word ‘jump’ in Hebrew the other day and we danced together with a lot of fun energy.”
The couple is also planning programs for the upcoming Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival at the J, as well as for Chanukah.
While the couple hopes to bring Israel to every group they engage, Bar and Leshem are also learning about Judaism in Texas.
“There are definitely different ways to practice Judaism and different ways to be Jewish,” Leshem said.
“In Israel, there is a certain picture of what it looks like. There is Orthodox and secular. It looks much different in Houston compared to Israel.
“In Israel, we sometimes take our Judaism for granted. You are not always active in that sense. Here, you have to choose to stay active every day.”
While they adapt to their new roles, the couple is also learning to navigate the big city.
“Being here, I now understand what ‘Life is a Highway’ is all about,” Leshem said.
Bar agreed: “Everything is bigger in Texas, indeed. We can’t wait to experience everything, including the rodeo.
“Our main goal is to make the most connections we can and be a bridge to Israel for the community.”