honorees

Houston Jewish Spirit Award

Dr. Leonard Goldberg has been a strong supporter of TORCH for many years. Dr. Goldberg has been committed to his weekly Jewish learning with Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe for over 6 years. together they have also formed an enormous Shema Project, encouraging more Jews to say Shema regularly.

The Goldberg’s are active members of both UOS and Chabad Medical Center. Among their other passions is active involvement in major international, national and local institutions, including, Board of Governors of UOS, Board of Governors of Seven Acres, UOS Goldberg Montessori school, UOS Talmud Torah, Israel bonds, Jewish Federation's Maimonides Society, AIPAC and Sochnut (JAFI). Dr Goldberg has also been the recipient of 2 awards; the Rofeh Yedid Award by Aishel House and the Maimonides Award of the Israel Bonds.

Professionally, Dr. Goldberg is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, is world-renowned in the field of dermatologic surgery. He is a leader in Mohs micrographic surgery and is both a recognized speaker and author of more than 275 publications on this subject. He was Chief of Dermatologic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and is a member of numerous professional societies and committees, including the American Academy of Dermatology. He is a Fellowship Director for the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, a board member and trustee of the Texas Dermatology Society and a past President of the Houston Dermatological Society. Dr. Goldberg is an active staff member of The Methodist Hospital and Program Director of The Procedural Dermatology Fellowship sponsored by The Methodist Hospital – Houston.

Dr. Goldberg’s hobbies are exercise and his interests are his family and his vineyards in Israel. The Goldberg’s have three children; Guy, living in New York; Maya who is married to Ben and living in Israel with a granddaughter Carmel, 2 years and Joshua who had his bar mitzvah last year.

Talmud Torah Award

Malka G. Levy was born in Venezuela and was raised in a Religious and Zionist home. She moved to Houston in 1979. Malka earned a B.A. in Fine Arts and Communications with a minor in Art History from the University of St. Thomas and a degree in Commercial Art from The Art Institute of Houston, receiving top honors from both. For more than 20 years, Malka has owned Advertising Design Systems™, a graphic design and marketing boutique. She has earned countless awards from her involvement in the advertising industry and the community.

Malka 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!!!” says Malka. Her involvements in the Jewish community include: 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, March 2011; The Gathering Place arts & crafts committee, ongoing 2011; co-founder of Bridge HoustonTM, a grass-roots, pro-Israel advocacy organization; life member of Hadassah including having co-chaired the programming committee and creating the monthly design of invitations (Annie Leff group); co-chair of the Macabbi Opening Ceremonies 2003; co-chair of CYJ Texas 2001-2002; created logos and collateral for Emery/Weiner School’s fund raising plays in early 2000’s; JCC Annual Jewish Book Fair in charge of design for bookstore display late 90’s; Federation trip to Israel in 1999 as a participant of Jewish Young Leadership Program; Congregation Beth Yeshurun First Family Retreat at CYJ, created and designed logo and T-shirts in March 1997; education committee at Beth Yeshurun Day School in the 90's.

Malka has been married to Brad, since 1986. They have two beautiful and creative daughters in college, Haya and Alexandra. Malka loves all forms of art, from painting, to decorating, to jewelry making, and to crocheting the most amazing one-of-a-kind purses. She also loves the outdoors and mostly, she loves learning, growing and expanding her knowledge about Judaism.