Vexler, Esther, 1918-

Esther Vexler, a native of San Antonio, is a yoga instructor, political activist, children's advocate, and community volunteer. Esther Vexler did volunteer work with Jewish charities and was the first female president of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. She also worked with the League of Women Voters and the Child Guidance Clinic.

From the description of Esther Vexler papers, 1963-2000 (bulk 1964-1970). (University of Texas at San Antonio). WorldCat record id: 244786737

Esther Vexler, a native of San Antonio, is a yoga instructor, and community volunteer. Vexler was born Esther Scharlack in 1918 and was the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1936 and studied modern dance at Mills College before graduating from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in English. She returned to San Antonio where she met and married Harold Vexler. They had three children: two sons and a daughter.

Esther Vexler did volunteer work with Jewish charities and was the first female president of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. She also worked with the League of Women Voters and the Child Guidance Clinic. In 1963, John F. Kennedy invited her to Washington, D.C. to attend a meeting on civil rights and women’s roles. The next year she was named a Headliner in the San Antonio Express-News . In 1972, Vexler received her master's degree in urban studies from Trinity University and became the executive director of the Community Housing Development.

In her later years, Vexler has focused more on yoga. Teaching yoga since 1968, she is a Founding Partner at San Antonio Yoga Synergy studio. She teaches yoga classes for senior citizens at the Association for Learning in Retirement. In 2007, Vexler’s former students established the Esther Vexler School of Yoga in her honor.

Sources:

Fisher, Mary M. A Woman of Position . San Antonio Express-News, undated.

Texas Yoga Retreat, Presenters 2007 . Texas Yoga. Accessed May 12, 2008 from http://www.texasyoga.com/presenters2007.htm#EstherVexler .

From the guide to the Esther Vexler Papers MS 81., 1950-2008, 1964-1980, (University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections)