Since 1998, locally & globally.
TORCH, the Torah Outreach Resource Center of Houston was created to make meaningful Jewish education accessible to every Jew, regardless of background, affiliation, or level of observance. Also known as the Houston Community Kollel, TORCH has grown into one of the most vibrant and innovative Jewish learning organizations in the Southwest. From Houston classrooms to a global digital audience, our mission remains unchanged: to connect Jews and Judaism through serious learning, authentic relationships, and joyful engagement.
We are a Houston-based organization with global reach.
To connect Jews and Judaism by providing meaningful learning opportunities for every Jewish individual in the Houston area — irrespective of background, denomination, or level of observance — and to enable them to experience the joy and vibrancy of Judaism in a welcoming environment.
We provide transformational educational programs that empower individuals to grow, lead, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The Torah is an inheritance for every Jew. Every individual deserves equal access to G-d’s manual for living.
We encourage spiritual growth at every stage of life. We meet people where they are and support continued growth without labels or pressure.
Our rabbis and educators embody the Torah they teach. They share their wisdom openly and extend their homes and lives to the community through Shabbat and personal celebrations.
We build bridges within the Jewish community through shared learning, shared celebration, and shared purpose.
By removing denominational labels and cultural barriers, TORCH reaches Jews where they are, intellectually, spiritually, and geographically.
(If urgent community needs arise, TORCH may step in where appropriate.)
TORCH is thrilled to have been selected by SLINGSHOT 11/12 as one of the 10 most innovative Jewish Non-Profits in North America!
How creative, inventive, pioneering, or groundbreaking is the organization in responding to the changing needs of the Jewish community and the world around it?
Does the organization reach a critical mass of people? Is it affecting the attitudes and behaviors of its constituents and the Jewish community?
Is there someone or some team at the helm who brings character, vision, and guidance? Is this person or team paving a new path in the Jewish community? Is this person or team seen as a strong leader(s) by the organization and by the field?
Is the organization sound? Is it strategic in the way it does business? Is it efficient and responsible in how it raises and spends money?
The Torah Outreach Resource Center of Houston (TORCH) believes that all Jews have a right to Jewish education; however, traditional Jewish education prevents thousands of Jews from fully engaging with Judaism due to location, content or messaging. While most educational programs align themselves with a denomination or synagogue, TORCH ignores traditional divisions in favor of finding innovative ways to be relevant for Jewish communities in Houston and to reach Jews where they are.
For example, TORCH’s Jewish Ethics Institute (JEI) reaches Jewish doctors, lawyers, and business professionals who receive accredited ethics hours while learning about contemporary Jewish ethics laws. For many participants, JEI is the first Jewish education experience they have had in years, and it becomes the first step to re-engage with Jewish life. TORCH also runs parallel programs for high school students, Jewish women, young adults, and others.
By avoiding the labels common within Jewish education, TORCH serves 10,000 to 15,000 participants each year through programs that include lunchtime learning opportunities, one-on-one study, events, and meetings in classrooms, coffee shops, and many different synagogues. Going forward, TORCH is in the process of becoming more focused and effective at reaching into the Jewish community.
Inspired by the desire to connect Jews with their heritage, Rabbi Wolbe has been involved in outreach efforts since 1996, serving communities across the United States, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Canada, and Israel. Rabbi Wolbe has published numerous books in the Russian Language and distributed over 12,000 copies to the multitude of Jewish communities he was serving.
Much of Rabbi Wolbe's approach to teaching is influenced by his grandfather, the revered Mussar Master, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe Z"L. He feels privileged to teach Mussar classes throughout the Houston community, hoping to share the wisdom he learned from his grandfather and pass on the message of meaningful and inspiring Judaism.
Rabbi Wolbe lives in Houston with his incredible wife, Zehava, feeling fortunate to be raising their eight children: Dovi, Meira, Shlomo, Ahuva, Yehuda, Yitzi, Hadassah, and Rivka. Since 2005, he has been grateful to work with TORCH, contributing in small ways to Jewish education in the community.
More than her regular one-on-one learning and hosting of regular Shabbat guests, Zehava is most proud of her seven children, Dovi, Meira, Shlomo, Ahuva, Yehuda, Yitzi and Hadassah.
Rabbi Wolbe and his wife Chaya are the proud parents of Akiva, Yehoshua, Miriam, Shlomo, Yitzy and Rivka.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Chaya's pastimes include cake decorating and tending to her five wonderful children.
He is married to Devorah, a talented educator and faculty member of ASCENT, the womens division of TORCH and together have seven remarkable children.
TORCH’s goal is to “Connect Jews and Judaism” by strengthening Jewish identity through hands-on educational experiences that empower by allowing to explore the beautiful world of Judaism. TORCH respects all Jews, regardless of prior knowledge or observance level.
TORCH is a non-membership organization. Most of our educational programs and classes are free of charge. Occasionally, we charge a nominal fee for a program to help with the costs involved in operating that particular event.
TORCH is an independent, local, not-for-profit organization created for Houston-area Jews. While there are many similar organizations throughout the United States, TORCH is not affiliated with any other and is unique to Houston.
T.O.R.C.H. is an acronym for Torah Outreach Resource Center of Houston.
TORCH is a free-standing community organization that is independent and mostly supported by private contributions from individuals and foundations who share in the vision and mission of TORCH. TORCH also welcomes organizations and individuals of all affiliations to join in its mission to “Connect Jews & Judaism” and is proud to partner or share its programming opportunities.
Below is a list of some of the local, community and national organizations that have in the past joined with TORCH in helping achieve this goal:
• ADL – http://regions.adl.org/southwest/
• AIPAC
• AJC – www.ajchouston.org
• AMIT
• Arachim – www.arachimusa.org
• Bellaire Jewish Center – www.bjchouston.org
• Beth Yeshurun Day School – www.bethyeshurundayschool.org
• B’nai Brith of Houston
• Bridge Houston – www.bridgehouston.org
• Congregation Beth El (Missouri City) – www.cbefortbendtx.org
• Congregation Beth Israel – www.beth-israel.org
• Congregation Beth Rambam – www.bethrambam.org
• Congregation Brith Shalom (Bellaire) – www.brithshalom.org
• Congregation Or Ami (West Houston) – www.oramihouston.org
• Congregation Shaar Hashalom (Clearlake) – www.shaarhashalom.org
• Congregation Torah Vachesed – www.torahvachesed.com
• Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest
• Discovery – www.aishconnections.com
• Dress for Success – www.dressforsuccess.org
• Emery/Weiner School – www.emeryweiner.org
• Gesher City – www.geshercity.org/web/houston
• Hadassah
• Hebrew Free Loan Association of Houston – www.hfla.net
• Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism – HCRJ – www.hcrj.org
• Houston Kashruth Association – HKA – www.kosherhouston.org
• Israeli House – http://houston.mfa.gov.il
• Jewish Business Aliance
• Jewish Community Center of Houston – www.erjcchouston.org/
• Jewish Family Services – www.jfshouston.org
• Jewish Federation of Greater Houston – www.houstonjewish.org
• Jewish Geneology Society – www.ghjgs.org
• Meyerland Minyan – www.meyerlandminyan.org
• NASA – www.nasa.gov
• NCJW – www.ncjwhouston.org/
• NCSY/OU – www.ncsy.org
• NJOP – www.njop.org
• Orthodox Union – www.ou.org
• Partners In Torah – http://www.partnersintorah.org
• Project SEED
• Robert M. Beren Academy – www.berenacademy.org
• Sephardic Gan/Torat Emet – www.tetx.org
• Sharsheret – www.sharsheret.org
• Sinai Retreats – www.moodus.org
• Temple Beth Torah (Humble) – www.temple-beth-torah.org
• The River – www.theriver.org
• Torah Girls Academy – www.tgatexas.org
• Torah Umesorah – www.torah-umesorah.com
• University Heritage Society – www.universityheritagesociety.com
• United Orthodox Synagogues – www.uosh.org
• YAD – Young Adult Division of the Federation – www.houstonjewish.org/Section.aspx?id=2658
• YAGA – www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116033506446
• Young Women’s Alliance – www.youngwomensalliance.org
• Young Israel of Houston – www.yihouston.org
Below is a list of some of the local vendors that have in the past partnered with TORCH in various projects including Kosher Awareness Month (Since 2006):
• Aroma Classique
• Aroma Pizza Cafe
• Bayou City Event Center
• Belden’s – Braeswood Square
• Cafe @ the J – Nosher’s
• Cake Creations
• Costco
• Fioza
• H-E-B
• Home Depot
• Houston Pecan Company
• Intercontinental Hotel
• Katz Coffee
• Kroger
• Madras Pavillion
• Marriot Courtyard
• Mediterranean Imports
• NY Bagel
• PitaPal
• Randall’s
• Saba’s Kosher Pizza
• Sawyer Park
• Shakolad
• Starbucks
• Super Pita
• Suzie’s Grill
• Three Brothers Bakery
• Wal-Mart
• Westin Galleria
• Westin Oaks
• Wish Bakery
Almost 90% is funded through private donations from Houstonians who value our work and want to become partners in our mission. The balance comes from program revenues and individual contributions from outside Houston.
Yes. TORCH, Inc. is a non profit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) and by the State of Texas. All contributions are tax deductible.
Your contribution is vital to our continued growth and ability to provide quality Jewish education to the Houston Jewish Community. We appreciate your partnership and investment in our valuable work.
Transcending the confines of a typical classroom, TORCH offers a fresh approach to learning about Torah and Judaism. Whether or not you have been involved with Jewish education, we welcome you to come learn with us.
TORCH’s “campus without walls” makes classes accessible throughout the greater Houston area almost every day of the year. We will join you in your home or at your office to share with you the joy of Judaism. As Houston Jewry grows, so do we.
TORCH programs include; Lunch & Learns, Executive Study, One on One Study, Havurahs (Home study groups), Classes, Events, Conferences and much more. Whether in synagogues, office buildings, coffee shops, private homes and other Jewish centers, TORCH remains committed to successfully fulfilling its mission of “Connecting Jews & Judaism.”
The Houston Community Kollel is a Jewish community organization of Rabbis who live in Houston and are working to strengthen the quality of Jewish education throughout the Southwest. They teach classes in a variety of settings from Synagogues to Starbucks. The Rabbis who make up the Houston Community Kollel pursue advanced studies in the afternoon, and are available mornings, at lunchtime, evenings or weekends for teaching and outreach programs.
The Hebrew root of the word Kollel is Klal, which means group or community. The Houston Community Kollel is funded, organized and operated by the local community. The Kollel offers a wide spectrum of study and discussion opportunities in various locations.
Programs are offered for Jewish men, women and children of all backgrounds and affiliations in a non-judgmental atmosphere. Whether you are just learning the Aleph-Bet or are studying advanced Talmud; whether your interest is in the basic tenets of Judaism or you are working through the deeper aspects of Jewish philosophy, the Kollel’s combination of group and one-on-one learning can help you connect to Judaism in new ways. The Kollel also organizes hikes and other social events for fun and learning.
Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kollel
← Rabbi Yossi & Faige Grossman Joined TORCH in 1998
Rabbi Yaakov & Cookie Lipsky Joined TORCH in 1998 →
← Rabbi Yaakov & Sara Nagel Joined TORCH in 1998
Rabbi Yakov & Frumie Polatsek Joined TORCH in 2001 →
← Rabbi Avraham & Rachel Yaghobian Joined TORCH in 2001
Rabbi Kenneth & Aviel Brodkin Joined TORCH in 2003 →
← Rabbi Josh & Bethany Strulowitz Joined TORCH in 2003
Rabbi Aryeh & Zehava Wolbe Joined TORCH in 2005 →
← Rabbi Danny & Nomi Masri Joined TORCH in 2005
Rabbi Sruli & Shalva Weinreb Joined TORCH in 2005 →
← Rabbi Zevi & Esther Fried Joined TORCH in 2006
Rabbi Doniel & Sara Newman Joined TORCH in 2006 →
← Rabbi Akiva & Chana Sara Sutofsky Joined TORCH in 2006
Rabbi Ranan & Henny Ephron Joined TORCH in 2007 →
← Rabbi Chaim & Shira Karpel Joined TORCH in 2007
Rabbi Avraham & Deena Kravetz Joined TORCH in 2007 →
← Rabbi Dovi & Joanna Reich Joined TORCH in 2007
Rabbi Aaron & Hannah Weisman Joined TORCH in 2008 →
← Rabbi Gavriel & Michal Jacknin Joined TORCH in 2008
Rabbi Yaakov & Elky Wohlgelernter Joined TORCH in 2010 →
← Rabbi Yaakov & Chaya Wolbe Joined TORCH in 2012
Rabbi Johnny & Devorah Ouzzan Joined TORCH in 2013 →
← Rabbi Johnny & Devorah Ouzzan Joined TORCH in 2013
Rabbi Chili & Yecheved Birnbaum Joined TORCH in 2018 →
← Rabbi Chaim & Tzaitel Bucsko Joined TORCH in 2019
