Nominate for TJHS Outstanding Recognition Award
Outstanding Recognition Award
The Outstanding Recognition Award focuses on individual or group achievements that have a profound impact of the breadth of Jewish experiences in Texas. The evolving nature of Jewish life in Texas calls for a broad recognition framework. The TJHS Recognition Award reflects the diverse ways Texans preserve and enrich Jewish heritage — not only through written or archival work but also through lived experience, cultural expression, and meaningful community engagement.
Click right blue toggle + for past awardees.
The Award Categories celebrate community leadership, cultural heritage and education, social impact, bridge building, historic site preservation and historic project achievement. These categories spotlight individuals, groups, and organizations whose contributions strengthen Jewish life, promote Jewish culture, and contribute to a lasting impression on Texas Jewish history:
- Historic Site Preservation recognizes the impact of an individual or group in saving the destruction of or preservation of the structure of historic synagogues, temples, cemeteries and other sacred sites in Texas.
- Project Achievement recognizes volunteerism that educates, preserves stories, or archives Texas Jewish history.
- Cultural Heritage & Education celebrates creative approaches that share and preserve Jewish culture and history by educating diverse audiences, making Jewish traditions accessible and meaningful within Texas and beyond.
- Community Leadership & Engagement recognizes demonstrated exceptional leadership, volunteerism, and engagement that enriches the Jewish community through inspired programs, events, or initiatives that foster Jewish identity, unity, and participation across generations.
- Social Impact & Bridge Building demonstrates commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world) by supporting Jewish and wider social causes, promoting interfaith cooperation and collaboration, and uplifting vulnerable populations consistent with Jewish ethical principles.
- Living Legacy recognizes lengthy service, leadership, or cultural contributions, whereby sustained commitment serves as an inspiration and model for future generations, ensuring the continuity and flourishing of Jewish community and heritage in Texas.
Submit a nomination: U
ONLINE: Complete the awards application form below and click SUBMIT to automatically send the completed form via email to the Nominator, Awards Committee Chair, TJHS President, and TJHS Admin.
OR
BY MAIL: Click right blue button to access, download, print, and complete an TJHS Recognition Award nomination form. Send to TJHS as directed.
TJHS Recognition Awardees
2014: Mimi and Leon Toubin (Brenham) for “Significant Texas Jewish Historic Site Preservation,” for contributions to the relocation of the B’nai Abraham Synagogue from Brenham to the Dell Jewish Community Campus in Austin.
2016: Rabbi Jimmy Kessler (Galveston) for “Extraordinary Preservation of Texas Jewish History,” for his founding of the Texas Jewish Historical Society and contributions to preserving the Jewish legacy in Texas.
2019: Babette Samuels (Corsicana) for “Significant Texas Jewish Historic Site Preservation,” for her efforts at restoring Temple Beth El in Corsicana.
2019 Lynna Kay Shuffield (Houston) for “Significant Texas Jewish Historic Site Preservation,” recognized posthumously for her efforts to preserve Texas Jewish cemeteries.
2021, Don and Gertrude Teter (Baytown) for “Extraordinary Preservation of Texas Jewish History,” recognized posthumously for their many contributions to preserving Texas Jewish cemeteries.
2021 Hollace Weiner (Fort Worth) for “Extraordinary Preservation of Texas Jewish History,” for her articles and books documenting Jewish history in Texas.