By MATT SAMUELS

After one of the toughest regular seasons in recent history, the Emery High School six-manfootball team had its back against the wall in the Iron Man Tournament championship game Nov. 10 in Hutto, Texas.

Emery was facing a tough opponent, a blistering wind and its first deficit in the three-day tournament.

Just when it seemed like things were going to get worse, the lights suddenly came on. Literally.

A 30-minute power outage was quickly followed by an Emery

offensive barrage. The Jaguars scored 20 straight points to erase a 16-0 deficit and eventually pull away for a 44-30 win over Capital City Christian.

The championship was Emery’s fourth straight, and perhaps its hardest fought trophy yet.

“I was ecstatic,” senior captain and tournament offensive MVP Jacob Silver said. “It was great knowing we had made it through the three grueling days of the Iron Man Tournament. After a long year, it was great to stand on that field as champions.”

The Texas Gulf Coast’s Jewish Newspaper Since 1908

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November 15, 2012 - 1 KISLEV 5773 � Volume CV - Number 36 � Houston, Texas � jhvonline.com � $2 Per Copy

WHAT’S INSIDEMitzvah Day brings

generations togetherPage 3

Meditations on the Aleph-Bet ............. Page 2

Jewish, Arab students tout Israelschool in Houston visit ........................ Page 6

As Obama takes second term, Israelis wonder what the future holds ............ Page 8

SUBSCRIBER NOTICEThe JHV will be mailed Wednesday, Nov. 21, as usual, but, there will be no mail delivery on Thanksgiving Day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Gift to endowment ensures legacy of Jewish learning

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The Emery High School football team celebrates its fourth-straight six-man football championship in Hutto on Nov. 10.

FANTASTIC FOUR

Emery ends football season in familiar fashion with 4th title

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Emery defensive end Sam Robinson brings down an opposing player.

The Barish family is helping to continue the legacy of its matriarch, Shirley Barish, by providing a $1 million endowment for Yom Limmud, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s annual community-wide Day of Learning.

This year, the Barish family and The Chair King, its family business, doubled their previous commitment with an additional $500,000 endowment for Yom Limmud, to ensure that Barish’s dream endures. The Day of Learning has grown into a mega-event each spring, with more than 1,200 people coming together at a Houston congregation for lectures from renowned scholars, special concerts and family programming.

Barish died on Dec. 26, 2011, at the age of 85. She was married for nearly 63 years to Marvin Barish, whom she met on a blind date in 1948. Together, they had three children: Jacquelyn, David and Leon, who inspired her to become even more involved in the community. Her unveiling will be Nov. 18.

A congregational religious school teacher and educator extraordinaire,

See Learning on Page 4

JHV: MICHAEL C. DUKE

David Broza played at Ripley House on Nov. 8

See Four on Page 24

County party heads analyze election By AARON HOWARD

In the days after the election, politician operatives, political journalists and voters all took their turns at Monday morning quarterbacking. Post-election analysis gives both parties the opportunity to examine why and when voters made their decisions, what issues worked and what didn’t. Of course, such analysis comes from hindsight. It also establishes the narratives that parties will

ALSO SEE: Local community reacts to election

Page 10

See Election on Page 8

David Broza: ‘Music as Bridge Builder’By MICHAEL C. DUKE

Music is a transnational tool that can help build bridges to peace, according to acclaimed Israeli singer-songwriter and political activist, David Broza.

Broza was in Houston for a weeklong music residency this month that included workshop performances at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Houston Community College, Bellaire High School, Rice University, ERJCC and the Ripley House, a

See Broza on Page 8

SPORTSPAGE 24JEWISH HERALD-VOICE

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

The Jaguars beat Tomball Christian JV 29-12 on Nov. 8, and followed that with a 56-0 win over Victoria Christian on Nov. 9. Those two victories set the stage for the championship game on Nov. 10.

Capital City Christian came out strong, taking an 8-0 lead into the second quarter. Then, the power at Old Hippo Stadium went out, giving the Jaguars another obstacle to overcome.

After a 30-minute delay, the lights were restored, but Capital City Christian scored again to make it 16-0.

Then, the Jaguars offense took charge.

Sean Kantor ran for a 43-yard touchdown and Cameron Rubenstein caught two touchdown passes from Alex Niefield to put the Jaguars up 20-16.

“It felt amazing to stand on the field Saturday night with a championship, knowing that all that hard work during the year paid off,” Rubenstein said.

“With a younger team, I learned that nothing comes easy and that we would have to work extra hard in order to win another championship.”

Capital City Christian bounced back and actually took a 22-20 lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Jaguars outscored them 24-8 in the fourth quarter.

Silver caught a touchdown pass from Niefield and Kantor ran for two more scores.

“It truly felt great to come together as a team this year with an entirely new offense and still play the good smart and passionate football that Emery has displayed in past years,” Kantor said.

“This taught me that no matter what situation you are in, if you work and play hard, greatness will follow.”

The win was extra sweet for a

Jaguars team that actually finished the regular season with a losing record. A tough schedule and a young roster paid dividends in the end, as Emery finished strong at 7-5.

“We stuck together as a family and I think that is what carried us through the season,” EWS fourth-year coach Adrian Adams said.

“All the championships are pretty special, but this one was pretty emotional for me going through a rollercoaster ride the whole season.”

Silver was named the tournament’s offensive Most Valuable Player. He finished the tournament with eight catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 14 tackles, three interceptions and four fumble recoveries on defense, while returning a kickoff off for a 70-yard touchdown.

“With a younger team and schedule, I learned about the benefits of hard work,” Silver said. “This year, we really had to work for the championship. Every day, we had to push ourselves more and more because we were playing harder teams and people knew less about what it took to be a team.”

Fellow senior Sam Robinson earned the tournament’s defensive Most Valuable Player. Robinson had 22 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown. He also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and did a great

job with onside kicks throughout the tournament.

Seniors Josh Daum and David Hoffman also were strong on defense. Daum, a linebacker, finished the tournament with 25 tackles and a sack, while Hoffman, a defensive lineman, returned a fumble for a touchdown.

“The only real way to judge a team is to put it in a tough situation and see how we respond,” Daum said. “After the three days, I was tired and sore, but it was as if that was where we were supposed to be,” Daum said. “You could feel the excitement surrounding the team when we were celebrating.”

Added Hoffman: “It felt great, but it wasn't just three long days. It was months of learning, teaching new and inexperienced players and keeping the faith alive that we were a good football team. All of this determination and hard work culminating in holding that trophy was indescribable.”

Offensively, Kantor led the Jaguars with 155 yards and four touchdowns for the tournament, while also adding 23 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two sacks, a forced fumble and the interception to seal the championship game.

“Sean played his best football of the season on both sides of the ball in the tournament,” Adams said. “He will make a big impact his senior year.”

Niefield completed 22 of 37 passes for 290 yards and five touchdowns in the tournament, while adding 225 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 29 carries.

“He really matured this year in the quarterback role as a leader,” Adams said. “I expect big things to come his senior year.”

Rubenstein had six catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while recovering Capital City’s onside kick late in the fourth quarter to hold onto a one touchdown lead.

Other offensive contributors included Charlie Midlo, Zach Lerner and Holden Rosenthal.

“This championship shows that Emery football has a bright future, with a lot of young talent and promising athletes,” Midlo said. “I know that this team and coaching staff will continue to strive to be one of the best six-man football teams in Texas.”

Added Lerner: “This is my first year playing Emery football, but I think we all work well together. Emery has a great program and a great coach. That is obvious by our success. I am proud to be a part of it.”

While the Jaguars will lose several key players on defense, the offense looks to be in good hands going forward, with lots of optimism in the air. Emery also has a great coaching staff, led by Adams and assistant coaches Edwin Howard, Lane Wakefield and Ray Buse.

“It’s a good time for Emery football,” Adams said. “The kids have really stepped it up and we continue to get the support of the community, the administrative staff, coach Angie Gubitz,and I think I have the best football staff in the state – not just on the football side, but they care about the kids.

“We all work very well together. It’s a total team effort. And, we will try to go get No. 5 next year.”

The Daum fileCity born in: New OrleansSchool: Emery High School Year in school: SeniorSport: Football, baseball, soccer Positions: Linebacker, center field, defense If I’m not playing my sport, I’m: playing guitarFavorite food: Chuy’s cheese chile rellenos Favorite movie: The AvengersFavorite music: Rock or reggaeFavorite TV show: Blue Mountain StateFavorite book: The Indian in the CupboardBest thing about Emery: having the option to do anything you wantFavorite classes: ScienceSports heroes: Brian Cushing, JJ Watt, Nolan Ryan Three things I can’t live without: my family, my team and my foodThe best thing about being Jewish: having something that makes me different from everyone else, but alike in a manner to other JewsI’d love to trade places for a day with: Nolan Ryan When I finish school, I want to go to UT and become a physical therapistPHOTO BY JHV: MICHAEL C. DUKE

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Sean Kantor ran for 155 yards and four touchdowns in the tournament.

Four From Page 1

Emery coach Adrian Adams gets an early shower from Jacob Silver as Ben Spier looks on.

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Emery seniors Jacob Silver and Sam Robinson were named co-MVPs.

Alex Niefield combined for 515 yards and eight touchdowns in the tournament.