J-HYPE hosts rooftop casino party

The Jewish Houston Young Professionals Experience took it up a notch with its latest event – going up 47 stories into the downtown Houston skyline.

More than 100 young Jewish professionals came together for J-HYPE’s rooftop Casino Night, complete with food, drinks, live music, card games and prizes.

The event was held Saturday night, Nov. 19, at the new high-rise residential building, Brava, overlooking Houston’s beautiful downtown area.

“It was a great night with a gorgeous view,” J-HYPE founder and director, Rabbi Johnny Ouzzan, said. “It was a classy, high-end party for all Jews in their 20s and 30s from all backgrounds and denominations. … Everyone had an amazing time.”

The event was catered by Casa Bar & Grill. Featured were an open bar, a live saxophone and keyboard player and plenty of blackjack, poker, craps and roulette.

When guests checked in, they were given a ticket which could be used for chips to play the games. Later on, winning chips could be exchanged for raffle tickets to win prizes, such as air pods, bluetooth speaker and a drone with a camera and remote control.

“We do a Casino Night once a year because it is the kind of event that gets people involved and having fun,” Rabbi Ouzzan said. “We had more than 100 young professionals in the room – some married, some dating, some single, all with a huge mix, religiously.

“I was really happy to see the big turnout and crowd because, when people meet and form relationships, everyone wins.”

J-HYPE, which will be celebrating its four-year anniversary with its first Impact Gala on Feb. 7, has been doing many innovative events to involve young Jewish professionals.

Every Wednesday, a group gets together at a local bar for Torah on Tap, where members can grab a beer, schmooze, talk a little about Judaism and have a good time.

J-HYPE also is taking part in a trip to Morocco next month.