TORCH TORAH OUTREACH RESOURCE CENTER OF HOUSTON
Connecting Jews & Judaism
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
TORCH was founded to provide the Jewish community of Houston, TX and the surrounding areas with Jewish education and outreach. Most of the Jewish education opportunities are targeted at children and youth, but young adults and middle-aged Jews have much fewer options. TORCH aims to provide meaningful learning programs to those demographics.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
TORCH Operations
All 7 Divisions:
TORCH Shalhevet: Focusing on Synagogue outreach. We have partnered with 19 congregations to date and BH have many Baalei Teshuva from these programs. Directed by Rabbi Yaakov Cohen.
TORCH ASCENT: Focusing on Women. Currently seeking a new Director.
TORCH Partners: Focusing on chavrusa learning on Wednesdays. Directed by Chaviva Granitsky.
TORCH Centre: Focusing on engaging the community with our modern lounge, library, classes and special programs. Directed by Tzaitel Bucsko.
TORCH JWS (Judaism Worth Spreading): Focusing on online Torah content. Directed by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
- Videos: 1000+ published on FB and YT. 15,000+ views monthly. New, high production quality videos are being developed targeted at young adults.
- Podcasts: 700+ Published. 25,000+ downloads monthly
TORCH YJC: Focusing on married and engaged YP’s. Directed by Zehava Wolbe
TORCH YP: Focusing on YP’s and University (YP’s herein). Directed by Rabbi Chaim Bucsko and seeking another Mekarev to assist.
Where we work
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
TORCH's mission is to Connect Jews and Judaism. We strongly believe that our nation's rich cultural and intellectual history is more relevant and needed in the modern world as ever before, and we seek new and innovative ways to convey and communicate Judaism to Jews.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
TORCH's strategic philosophy is to not be bound by the attitudes and methods of the past and instead to be nimbly tuning and reinventing the ways to Connect Jews and Judaism. TORCH was the first Jewish organization in Houston to create a program focusing exclusively on Young Professional Outreach when we started TNT in 2006. Our Congregational Partnership Division, Shalhevet, which outsources Adult Education for synagogues was groundbreaking when it was introduced in 2008. We were at the cutting edge when we launched our podcasts in 2012. Thinking creatively and innovatively is in TORCH's DNA.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our organization employs a robust and highly trained and experienced staff, including four Rabbis and their wives, program directors and administrators who are laser-focused on advancing our mission and Connecting Jews and Judaism. Our state-of-the-art TORCH Centre, Lounge, classroom, and studio enable all kinds of programs and learning and outreach opportunities. TORCH also maintains a large online presence on YouTube, Facebook, and Apple Podcasts.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since our founding in 1998, TORCH has stood out as a beacon of Jewish outreach and education in Houston and beyond, and our successes speak for themselves: We maintain Congregational partnerships with 18 Houston-area synagogues; we have sent hundreds of students on trips to Israel; 4 of our podcasts were ranked #1 worldwide on Apple Podcasts under the Category "Judaism". But don't take our word for it; visit the TORCH Centre and witness the magic yourself!
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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TORCH TORAH OUTREACH RESOURCE CENTER OF HOUSTON
Board of directorsas of 08/26/2019
Mr. Dan Kullman
TORCH
Term: 2016 - 2020
Harvey Rosenstock
TORCH VP
Ben Helstein
TORCH VP
David Marbin
TORCH Treasurer
Etan Mirwis
TORCH Chairman
Leonard Goldberg
TORCH Chairman
Steve Finkelman
TORCH Chairman
Josh Blackman
TORCH Secretary
Elyse Freed
TORCH Member At-large
Scott Bernstein
TORCH Member At-large
Jordan Davis
TORCH Member At-large
Peter Botvin
TORCH Member At-large
Mordechai Statfeld
TORCH Member At-large
Dan Kullman
TORCH President