Dallas Jewish Historical Society tells the story of Jewish Dallas and in doing so, tells the story of Dallas itself. Through our collections, artifacts, and programming, we not only tell the cultural history of Dallas but also partner with other cultural and educational organizations to flesh out the story of how, through its various populations, Dallas became the city it is today. We reach out to both researchers and family members looking to explore local history, and through our annual lecture series explore topics of interest to a variety of participants, including those interested in history, genealogy, and cultural arts.
During Covid-19 precautions, DJHS took extraordinary steps to continue collecting the history of Jewish Dallas through a series of short surveys which will be compiled into biographical histories and added to our archive. We have had much success procuring additional interviews through Zoom, allowing us to continue adding to our Oral History Project. Last year's special focus had been on Jewish community members with roots in Latin America; and we collected several interviews with local Jewish artists for an online Jewish art exhibit.
In 2022 Dallas Jewish Historical Society celebrated 50 years of service to the Greater Dallas Jewish community, announcing new initiatives that will provide even more ways to make an impact on the community for the next decade. Taking the following steps will enable DJHS to meet the current and future needs of an exploding Dallas area Jewish community:
• Expansion of programs to become a regional destination for Dallas Jewish genealogical and historical research and programming
• Ongoing realization of the only fully catalogued and searchable physical and virtual archive of Dallas Jewish history that grows over 1,000 items per year
• Necessary expansion of office and archive space to facilitate these initiatives
We want you to be a part of our growth plans and continued success. Please consider a generous donation and help Dallas Jewish Historical Society continue to connect present and future generations with Jewish Dallas and our community’s vital role in the growth of the City of Dallas and North Texas.
Dallas Jewish Historical Society collects and preserves documents, photographs, and artifacts that illustrate the history of the Jewish community in Dallas. We keep the past alive through innovative programming, community outreach, and through collections accessible to our patrons and researchers. Our archive includes documents, maps, photos, artwork, objects, textiles, and an extensive oral history collection. We host an Annual Lecture Series, a Partner Series, an Oral History Program, Guided Historical Bus Tours, and other events.
DJHS continues to work diligently to provide relevant and engaging in-person and online content and interaction for our members and supporters.
• Volunteers
• Funding for the expansion of programs, enabling us to become a regional destination for Dallas Jewish genealogical and historical research and programming
• Funding for the ongoing acquisition, accession, and cataloguing of our fully searchable physical and virtual archive
• Funding for the necessary expansion of office and archive space to facilitate these important initiatives
DJHS's mission is to preserve and protect the written, visual, and audible materials which document the history of the Dallas Jewish community. In doing so, we hope to also help combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference within our greater community. Our mission extends beyond the walls of our archive, reaching members, visitors, researchers, volunteers, and staff alike. We welcome all visitors by working to remove barriers to their experiences at DJHS, whether financial, physical, sociological or cultural. We value our community in all its diversity, and hope to serve as a meeting space for dialogues regarding our collective past, the importance of preserving and sharing our history, and the challenges our community has faced in the past, and present. We achieve our mission through our lectures, programs, workshops, and exhibits which provide a valuable historical perspective to visitors, researchers, students, and members; and we strive to ensure that our staff, Board, and volunteers reflect the culturally rich community in which we live – protecting our vision of helping connect present and future generations with Jewish Dallas.
Organization name
Dallas Jewish Historical Society
Causes
Arts, Culture & Humanities, Religion/Spiritual Focus
Operating Budget
$100,000 - $249,999
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall, Tarrant
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
7900 Northaven Rd