Austin, TX

Grants sought to fight antisemitism in Texas

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

Grants sought to fight antisemitism in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Hate crimes against Jews in the U.S. have risen as antisemitism fuels the violent harassment and terroristic threats seen in the community. Antisemitic incidents in Texas have grown to become a concern for many in the Jewish community. Leaders are in need of federal security grants to protect targeted groups of hate crimes.

“Safety and security are usually top of my mind and to a lot of families,” Rabbi Dan Septimus, CEO of Shalom Austin and a native Texan, said. “They want to make sure if they come to campus or partner institutions in this region, they know it’s a safe and secure experience.”

For Rabbi Septimus, the reality is his job is now just as much about protecting his community as it is providing spiritual counseling. In 2022, Texans experienced the fifth-most antisemitic incidents in the nation (212) and saw an 88% rise from the previous three years combined, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, Texas saw the fifth-most antisemitic incidents last year and it was more than the previous three years combined. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

“Antisemitism has increased exponentially in the last decade… So, we have to make a lot of investments to ensure that we’re responding to that and being more proactive and not just reactive,” Rabbi Septimus said.

Daily conversations with Shalom Austin’s Director of Security Andy Dooher have been essential and the former federal agent believes an increase in community, state and federal funding has been key to helping halt hate crimes.

To better their resisilience against a potential attack, “they’re target hardening grant funds,” Dooher said. “It’s to detect people where they might not belong. You can delay their enry, control access… [It’s] everything you can think of to make a facility hard.”

Nearly 60 Texas organizations, consisting of nonprofits and houses of worship, received $7.8 million this year for the annual FEMA aid to protect their citizens.

Nearly 60 houses of worship and nonprofit organizations across Texas received $7.8 million in federal security grants this past year. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

North Texas Reps. Colin Allred and Beth Van Duyne, who represents Colleyville, home to the Beth Israel synagogue hostage situation in 2022, have been at the top of this fight and will continue to push for increased funding until it’s no longer necessary.

North Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne says after the Beth Israel hostage situation in her district of Colleyville in 2022, additional security funding is needed with antisemitic activity increasing across Texas. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

“Threats are not decreasing. We’re only seeing them increase,” Rep. Van Duyne said. “It would be great if the additional $300 million (nationally) in grants weren’t necessary. I think that’s what we’re all striving for, not having a need for these grants, but until we see the threats decrease and the security continues to increase, we’re going to continue to support those types of programs.”

Rabbi Septimus and Dooher continue to put their faith into those programs and safety measures, so Texas residents can live and worship in peace.

“This doesn’t just affect the Jewish community when we’re targeted. Many communities are targeted like us, so we want to coordinate together how we can all best address this issue,” Rabbi Septimus said,

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Austin, TX

AP Poll Top 25 Rankings: Where Are Texas Longhorns?

Published

5 hours ago

November 25, 2024

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AP Poll Top 25 Rankings: Where Are Texas Longhorns?

AUSTIN — The No. 3 Texas Longhorns secured their second straight 10-win season Saturday with a 31-14 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats on Senior Day at DKR.

Texas stayed steady on a day where the rest of the SEC experienced chaos, as three ranked teams lost to unranked opponents on the road. The Longhorns entered as the No. 3 team in the College Football Playoff rankings and the AP Poll, but their win wasn’t enough to move them ahead in the AP’s Week 13 release.

No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Penn State all remained idle in the AP Poll. The Ducks were on a bye while the other three teams picked up wins. The Longhorns are one of eight SEC teams in the AP Top 25, joining No. 6 Georgia, No. 7 Tennessee, No. 13 Alabama, No. 15 Ole Miss, No. 16 South Carolina, No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 24 Missouri.

Texas has now been No. 3 in the AP Poll for three straight weeks. The Longhorns have fallen to as low as No. 6 and have been as high as No. 1.

Now, Texas has arrived to one of the most anticipated weeks in the state’s college football history, as the Longhorns will travel to College Station for Saturday’s meeting with the Texas A&M Aggies. The renewed rivalry will kick off from Kyle Field at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ABC.

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Other Texas Longhorns News:

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MORE: Texas Longhorns Remain at No. 3 in Latest College Football Playoff Rankings

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Austin, TX

Austin Empty Bowl Project raises funds to support food-insecure Central Texans

Published

13 hours ago

November 24, 2024

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Austin Empty Bowl Project raises funds to support food-insecure Central Texans

Austin Empty Bowl Project 2024

Central Texas Food Bank hosted its annual Austin Empty Bowl Project on Sunday where attendees got to enjoy soup from local eateries, all to raise money for a good cause.

AUSTIN, Texas – The 28th annual Austin Empty Bowl Project brought in thousands for a good cause.

“We have over 30 restaurants, over 200 gallons of soup,” said project co-director Deb Dixon.

The event donates all proceeds to Kids Café, a program of the Central Texas Food Bank, and to Meals on Wheels Central Texas.

“The Central Texas Food Bank has school pantries where we have pantries in over five schools. We also have after-school meals and summer meals. And 1 in 4 children go to bed hungry in our service area. So, it’s critical that this event raises as much funds as possible to support those kids,” said CTFB president & CEO Sari Vaske.

Throughout the year, local Austin area potters make more than a thousand soup bowls and donate them to the project.

“We have our communities of potters, our restaurants and our musicians that have all come together and donated time and materials in support of something pretty terrific,” said Dixon.

At the event each year, attendees give a donation, pick out a ceramic bowl, choose from several soups from different restaurants, listen to live music and bid in a silent auction.

After lunch, guests take their bowls home as a reminder that others less fortunate have empty bowls.

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“There’s over 530,000 people that don’t know where their next meal is going to come from throughout 21 counties. So, this event supports those families,” said Vaske.

For Pflugerville resident Kim Hanson, supporting the Empty Bowl Project has become a special tradition. Every year for the past 20 years, she’s celebrated her birthday by attending the event.

This year, for her 40th, she took it up a notch—bringing 40 friends and family along to give back and make her special day even more meaningful.

“I just think it’s really important for the community to help to support each other. And this goes to support people in our community that need food. And it helps with the children who don’t have enough to eat throughout the year. So, I love to come and support this mission,” said Hanson.

Hanson says she hopes to continue the tradition for years to come.

You can find more information about the Austin Empty Bowl Project here.

The Source: Information in this report came from reporting/interviews by FOX 7 Austin’s Jenna King.

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Austin, TX

Texas boasts 10 restaurants on OpenTable’s top 100 list for 2024

Published

21 hours ago

November 24, 2024

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Texas boasts 10 restaurants on OpenTable’s top 100 list for 2024

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas had a strong showing on OpenTable’s 2024 Top 100 Restaurants with 10 establishments making the list.

What You Need To Know

The best foodie city in Texas, at least according to OpenTable, was Austin, with seven restaurants making the list

The rest of Texas’ major metropolitan areas–Houston, Dallas and San Antonio–each only had one restaurant on the list

OpenTable compiles its top 100 list every year by looking at diner reviews from its 14 million verified users

The Lone Star State had the second-most restaurants on the list, tied with Illinois, behind California, which had a whopping 19 restaurants featured.

The best foodie city in Texas, at least according to OpenTable, was Austin, with seven restaurants making the list.

Aba – Austin
J Carver’s
Jeffrey’s Restaurant
Red Ash Italia
Sammie’s Italian
Uchi Austin
Uchiko Austin

The rest of Texas’ major metropolitan areas–Houston, Dallas and San Antonio–each only had one restaurant on the list.

Steak 48 – Houston
Signature – San Antonio
Hudson House – Lovers Lane – Dallas

OpenTable compiles its top 100 list every year by looking at diner reviews from its 14 million verified users.

According to OpenTable’s website, restaurants with enough reviews are automatically considered and are evaluated by their ratings, percentage of five-star reviews, number of alerts set, percentage of reservations made in advance, percentage of capacity and direct searches.

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