Jewish Life

The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life supports a vibrant community of approximately five hundred Jewish students at SMU, offering regular gatherings for Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and programs for learning, dialogue, and socializing. Led by Rabbi Heidi Coretz, Assistant Chaplain for Jewish Life, this is a growing and thriving campus community. Two Religious Life organizations serve the Jewish students: Hillel at SMU and Chabad at SMU. Get connected and involved with Jewish life on the SMU campus.

 

students at tables outdoors on grass surrounded by white drapes covered with string lights

Shabbat

Jewish students gather for regular Shabbat dinners, on and off campus, as we welcome Shabbat with candles, grape juice, challah, dinner and conversation. All are welcome! and both offer Shabbat dinners, so please check their websites for more information.

Holidays

Hillel at SMU offers High Holy Day services on campus. In the Fall, they build a Sukkah on campus and celebrate with daily gatherings. Mustangs celebrate Hannukah, Purim and Passover with special holiday foods in the dining halls including Passover friendly foods throughout Pesach. For Seder, students share the holiday observances with Hillel at SMU and Chabad at SMU. Finally, Hillel at SMU offers a yearly Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial March of Remembrance each spring.

 

Local Congregations

*All congregations listed below are LGBT friendly congregations.

 

  • Temple Emanu-El

    Temple Emanu-El of Dallas

    Address: 8500 Hillcrest Rd. Dallas, TX 75225
    Email: hello@tedallas.org
    Phone: 214-706-0000
    Careline: 214-706-0012 (After-hours emergency line for crisis related calls)

  • Congregation Shearith Israel

    Congregation Shearith Israel

    Address: 9401 Douglas Ave. Dallas, TX 75225
    Phone: 214-361-6606

    Transportation to Shearith Israel
    Michelle Refoua
    Email: megoua@shearith.org
    Phone: 214-939-7310

  • Temple Shalom

    Temple Shalom

    Address: 6930 Alpha Rd. Dallas, TX 75240
    Phone: 972-661-1810
    Clergy Emergency Phone: 972-661-1810 ext. 300

    Contact
    David Lamden, Executive Director
    Email: dlamden@templeshalomdallas.org

  • Congregation Beth El Binah

    Congregation Beth El Binah

    Services held at Northaven Church
    Address:     11211 Preston Rd. Dallas, TX 75230
    *On the Southwest corner of Preston and Northaven Rd.