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Howard Blas

Howard Blas

Howard Blas is a social worker and special-education teacher by training. He teaches Jewish studies and prepares students with a range of disabilities for b’nai mitzvah. He regularly leads Birthright Israel “classic” and service trips for people with disabilities. His publications can be viewed here.

Members of the Purple Vest Mission team take shelter during a siren in a shelter in Kfar Saba, March 2026. Credit: Access Israel.
Features
Support ramps up for disabled and elderly Israelis facing missile threats
Home Front Command and “purple” initiatives help vulnerable populations access shelters, information and essential services.
Mar. 19, 2026
Howard Blas
A view of the destruction in Dr. Amir Shahar's home in Tel Aviv, March 2026. Credit: Clalit Yoseftal Medical Center.
Israel News
Healing others while their own homes are hit by Iranian missiles
Mar. 16, 2026
Howard Blas
Masa fellows pose for a photograph at the Dead Sea, March 6, 2026. Credit: Masa.
Features
Masa fellows volunteer and recharge while war pauses programs
Mar. 11, 2026
Howard Blas
Comprised of two portions, Content Studio and Digital Initiatives, Birthright Israel Labs strives to create professionally produced programs and enable alumni networking. Source: Screenshot.
Culture and Society
With travel largely on hold due to COVID-19, Birthright Israel disseminates content in new ways
“Young Jews, no matter where they live, will turn to Birthright Israel Labs to hear stories about their history and their heroes and to connect and support their peers,” said Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark.
Jan. 5, 2022
Howard Blas
Ms. E, Orly, Mr. Lassner, Aaron, Jeremy, Shirel and Chloe arrive Project Friendship Warehouse for first day of chesed. Credit: Courtesy.
Features
New York Jewish students lend a hand to tornado-devastated Kentucky
“I have done hurricanes, 9/11, Sully in the river — [the Kentucky trip] is the first time I have ever seen people who had nothing. The concept of people having absolutely nothing is mind-blowing,” says Jamie Lassner, director of student programming at North Shore Hebrew Academy.
Dec. 30, 2021
Howard Blas
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija. Source: Screenshot.
Culture and Society
Amid NBA’s wave of COVID uncertainty, Deni Avdija continues to deliver for Jewish and Israeli fans
“He is the pride of the Jewish people. We always come out to support Deni,” says Matisyahu Zamir, a student at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach in Woodmere, N.Y.
Dec. 28, 2021
Howard Blas
From left: New York mothers Meredith Berkman, Dorian Fuhrman and Dina Alessi, who started the national grassroots organization PAVe—Parents Against Vaping eCigarettes. Credit: Courtesy of PAVe.
Features
‘Accidental activists’: How a grassroots group affected change in vaping regulations at national level
“Our original goal was to get JUUL off the market since nearly all teens were using it. Through testifying in Congress, and local laws and pushback, JUUL stock has plunged significantly, and it is a lot more regulated before,” says Brown University student Caleb Mintz.
Dec. 21, 2021
Howard Blas
Players on the Shomer Shabbat North Jersey Avalanche hockey league. Photo by Howard Blas.
Features
Shomer Shabbat stick-handlers master the ice as they make childhood memories
The idea for an observant team came about when tristate-area youth grew tired of hearing stories from their parents of their own hockey-playing childhood.
Dec. 17, 2021
Howard Blas
Washington Wizards player Deni Avdija lighting a menorah at a Hanukkah celebration in Rockville, Md. Source: Screenshot.
Jewish Life
Avdija adds Hanukkah cheer to strong start of basketball season
“It is just good vibes—this holiday in Israel when I was growing up. You had sufganiyot everywhere, songs, menorahs. I wait every year to celebrate it,” said the 20-year-old Washington Wizards player.
Dec. 3, 2021
Howard Blas
Cyclists with Team Start-Up Israel at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. Credit: Noa Arnon/Cycling Academy LTD.
Israel News
Israel’s top-ranked cycling team makes its long-awaited homecoming
“The team has the name Israel on its jersey. It is important that they will know what Israel looks like—the culture, the people, the history, the food. It will give them a nice taste of what it looks like and feels like to be here,” said Guy Niv, a cyclist with Team Israel Start-Up Nation.
Nov. 8, 2021
Howard Blas
Crowds at the 2016 New York City Marathon. Credit: A. Katz/Shutterstock.
Features
New York Marathon back on track, celebrating 50 years and 26.2 miles of pounding pavement
For most, it’s a simply very long race. For others, it’s a lifeline.
Nov. 4, 2021
Howard Blas
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