The Jewish community in Houston dates itself to the 1830s, when a group of Jews of German origin arrived in the city. Today, Houston’s vibrant and diverse Jewish community includes Ashkenazi and Sephardi synagogues; numerous Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Reform congregations as well as independent minyans; kosher markets and restaurants; and a wide array of community organizations. Houston is also home to many Jewish cultural institutions, including the Holocaust Museum Houston, the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Houston Hillel and Chabad, which serve campuses in the greater Houston area. Throughout the year, the Jewish community sponsors a variety of events, like the Jewish book fair, Israeli film festival, kosher chili cookoff, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations. The Program in Jewish Studies often partners with local Jewish organizations and institutions to create programming of interest to the wider Houston Jewish community.
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
The mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is to preserve and enrich Jewish communal life through innovative and visionary leadership that is responsive and responsible to Jewish communities locally, nationally, in Israel, and around the world.
Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center
The mission of the Jewish Community Center of Houston is to develop and strengthen Jewish identity, foster Jewish values and enrich the Jewish community and the greater community.
Holocaust Museum Houston
Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and other innocent victims and honoring the survivors' legacy. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, the museum teaches the dangers of hatred, prejudice and apathy.