Miriam Browning Jewish Learning Center

In honor of the generosity of Lynn and Armand Shapiro and Jeri and Marc Shapiro, great grandchildren of Miriam (Mamie) Browning, the Religious School has been named the Miriam Browning Jewish Learning Center.

Miriam Browning, devoted lifetime member of Congregation Beth Israel, was a beloved religious school teacher. Born in Houston in 1871, her family included leaders in the Jewish and broader community. The family experienced the many changes that came as Beth Israel grew from its origins as an Orthodox congregation into a leading Reform congregation.

Mamie, as she was fondly called, developed a strong love and lifelong connection to Judaism and religious education, which she generously and affectionately shared with family and students throughout her lifetime. She taught Religious School kindergarteners for more than 40 years, instilling her love of Judaism in generations of Beth Israel families.

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