About Us

A warm welcome, meaningful relationships and mutual responsibility

Our synagogue’s history is nearly as old as Dallas itself, founded in 1872 as the first Jewish congregation in North Texas. Though our location has changed a few times, we found our final home at the corner of Hillcrest and Northwest Highway in 1957 and completed a $38 million dollar expansion and renovation in 2016. Our spaces were reimagined and redesigned to put interaction at the forefront: with nature, with one another and with God.

We welcome more than 2,500 families with diverse backgrounds and lifestyles through our doors and help them find their Jewish path through prayer, music, learning and community.

We hope you will take a moment to browse our website to learn more about what matters most to you and how we can help enrich your Jewish life.

WHO WE ARE

At Temple Emanu-El, our tent is always open. We care about you. We support you. We need you. At Temple, we know that there are many different paths to being Jewish. Whether you grew up as a Jew or found us as an adult, chose a soulmate of the same or opposite sex, married a Jewish partner or choose to create an interfaith family, you are part of the beautiful tapestry of Temple Emanu-El. You may be quick on your feet or need help getting around. You may be hurting a little or a lot, hurting for yourself or others. Wherever you’re at, we’re here for you.

FAITH BACKGROUNDS

We are a proud Reform Jewish congregation and member of the Union for Reform Judaism, and we welcome members and visitors from all spiritual backgrounds or no religious background at all. You are welcome to pray with us, study with us, share in holiday celebrations and participate in lifecycle events. Interfaith couples and families are eligible for membership on the same basis as all other couples and families.

ACCESSIBILITY

Our worship spaces are equipped with hearing enhancement devices and large print prayer books upon request. Shabbat services are also available via livestream and call-in for those who may have mobility or time limitations.

We are committed to including Hebrew, the beautiful language of our heritage, in our services, and we provide English translations and transliterations as much as possible during services and celebrations. We also weave Hebrew throughout our communications as an education tool because we do believe it as an important aspect of Jewish life.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Finances are never a barrier to participation at Temple. For several years now, we have offered “Choose Your Dues” for those who may need help with membership dues. We underwrite half of the fees for Youth Learning + Engagement so that families in their growing years can be supported in their efforts to build Jewish experiences and instill strong Jewish identities in their children without worrying how they will pay. We also offer other forms of financial assistance for events and programming. Contact Meredith Pryzant, Director of Member Support, if you have any questions.

LGBTQ

Temple Emanu-El welcomes all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, as full participants in Temple life. Our clergy officiate same-sex marriage and baby namings for same-sex couples. Members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning are encouraged to celebrate milestones with us including marriage and baby namings.

SPECIAL NEEDS

We have long been an advocate for students with special needs, particularly through the Lomdim program in Youth Learning + Engagement, designed to make sure that students with learning differences experience the mainstream curriculum.

A sensory gym is also available for use during services and holiday events in the Early Childhood Education Center. The room includes swings, a climbing wall, tunnels, scooters, mats, ball and foam pits and more.

OUR MISSION AND VALUES

Temple Emanu-El is a vibrant Reform Jewish community that strives to be a place of sacred encounter. It is a place where learning, prayer and deeds change people’s understanding of themselves, of their world and their responsibilities in it.