This TJHS Website represents over 45 years of the Texas Jewish Historical Society in “preserving the Jewish experience in Texas” and more.
Explore the menus above to discover stories, the history of TJHS and its programs, and find tools that might help you in uncovering your own family history.
Becoming a Member is easy online. There are buttons in the menu above and footer below. You can also give a gift of a membership.
Be an Advocate for
Texas Jewish History
Sheldon Lippman
President
Texas Jewish Historical Society
Ahead in 2026
March 4-7, TSHA Annual Conference, Irving, TX. TJHS panel on Thurs, Mar 5 at 2:00 PM (contact president@txjhs.org if interested in attending this one session). Meeting info at http://am.tsha.events
April 8-10, THC Real Place, Renaissance Hotel, Austin, TX. TJHS panel on Thurs, April 9 at 9:30 AM. Must register with THC to attend, thcfriends.org
April 11, Texas History Day with Jewish History Writing Awards. 5:00 PM, Bullock Museum, Austin, TX
April 24-26, 2026 – TJHS 46th Annual Gathering, Houston, TX
Rabbi Jimmy Kessler Educational Outreach Fund
TJHS established the KESSLER FUND in 2023 in memory of its founder, Rabbi Jimmy Kessler. Its purpose is to share the history of Jews in Texas through projects and activities such as sponsoring renowned speakers to TJHS Annual Gatherings and webinars, providing research grants to university students in Jewish study programs, partnering with other Jewish organizations to produce new educational materials and programs for young people, and sharing with Texans of all religious faiths the richness of Texas Jewish history.
TJHS Grants
TJHS has awarded over 70 grants for varied activities and projects that support the work of scholars, filmmakers, authors, and others who expand and enhance knowledge of the Jewish presence in Texas.
TJHS grants have also been awarded for preservation of synagogues, cemeteries, and cultural heritage.
Research Resources
The TJHS Website section RESEARCH RESOURCES provides links for genealogical and historical research, including the archived TJHS Collection, all issues of the TJHS Magazine, Texas Jewish Burials Database, Past Grant Recipient Database, and examples of TJHS-funded projects. There are online links to 15 Texas-based research, historical, and memorial organizations; 35 regional and state Jewish historical societies. and 12 national organizations providing helpful historical information.
