Jewish Herald Voice | Oct 2011
The recipient of TORCH�s Talmud Torah Award (Student of the Year) is Malka G. Levy. The award will be presented at TORCH�s 13th annual anniversary Gala Dinner at 6:15 p.m., Nov. 20, at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Rd.
Co-chairing the gala are Belinda Denn and Scott Chanin and Bryan and Dionne Miller. Honorary chairs are David and Linda Barish, Mitch and Diane Levy and Alan and Diane Levin.
Levy was born in Venezuela and was raised in a religious and Zionist home. She moved to Houston in 1979. Earning a B.A. in fine arts and communications with a minor in art history from the University of St. Thomas, she also has a degree in commercial art from The Art Institute of Houston, receiving top honors from both. Over the past 20 years, she has earned many awards from her involvement in the advertising industry, as owner of Advertising Design Systems, a graphic design and marketing boutique.
She has studied with TORCH rabbis since the late �90s. She traveled to Israel with ASCENT, TORCH�s women�s division, in 2009. �That trip changed my life!� exclaimed Levy. Her involvement in the Jewish community includes: liaison between the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Israel Consul for Economic Affairs U.S. Southern Region, to bring Israeli companies and have an exhibit during the Rodeo�s International Days; The Gathering Place Arts & Crafts committee; co-founder of Bridge Houston, a grass-roots, pro-Israel advocacy organi�zation; life member of Hadassah, includ�ing co-chairing the programming committee; co-chair of the Maccabi Opening Ceremonies 2003; co-chair of CYJ Texas 2001-�02; Federation trip to Israel in 1999, as a participant of Jewish Young Leadership Program; and involvement at Beth Yeshurun Day School.
She has been married to Brad Levy since 1986. They have two daughters in college, Haya and Alexandra. Levy loves learning, growing and expanding her knowledge about Judaism, and has never has missed a class in the TORCH�s Tuesday night Women�s group, held at Torah Vachesed. Her devotion to learning and thirst for knowledge are insatiable.
�Malka has been an inspiration to so many people in our classes because of her commitment to learning,� said her teacher and TORCH director, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe.
Levy also attends ASCENT pro�grams, including challah-baking classes with ASCENT leader Zehava Wolbe, as well as special holiday celebrations with TORCH.
The community is invited to celebrate her accomplishments at the gala, when Dr. Leonard and June Goldberg will receive TORCH�s Houston Jewish Spirit Award.
For reservations, go to torchweb.org, email info@torchweb.org or call 713-721-6400.