In the beginning:
On October 20, 1965, an organizational meeting was held. Nine days later, worshippers gathered at SMU’s Perkins Chapel and, led by Louis Cohen, held their first service.
Seventy eight people signed an application for a Charter in the State of Texas, which was approved in December 1965. And thus, Temple Shalom came into being. Service were held at St. Mark’s Chapel for the first year.
This was the first time in almost 100 years that a Reform Jewish Congregation was born in Dallas, Texas.
Family Pride
An indestructible warmth and congeniality existed among the members from the beginning, an extended family. In February we consecrated our portable ark; in March we formed a choir and consecrated our Torah; and in April we established a sisterhood. Shearith Israel presented us with gift of a Sefer Torah in June, in our new shared facilities at Northaven Methodist Church.
Moving Forward
Our worship services were conducted by members of the congregation who studied the history and meaning of our liturgy. We welcomed out first Rabbi, Hirshel Jaffe in July 1966. We were now 112 families. We held our first Sunday School classes in September at Hockaday.
We purchased 14 acres of land in July 1967, broke ground in 1971, and held our first Service at our own facilities in September 1972. We had held services at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sunday School at Ursuline, and had an office in the upstairs of a furniture store. Our second Rabbi, Saul Besser, joined us in July 1969 and was with us until 1984.
History of our Rabbis and Professional Staff
Our first Associate Rabbi was Steve Jacobs in 1976, followed in turn by Murray Berger in 1977, Mark Goodman in 1982, Jordan Paar, Elizabeth Stern in 1992, Rick Schechter in 1997, Robert Haas in 2002, and Jeremy Schneider in 2006.
Kenneth Roseman succeeded Rabbi Besser in 1985 and became Emeritus in 2002. His successor, David Lyon, came in 2000 and assumed the senior position in 2002, Rabbi Andrew Paley was hired in May 2004.
Cantor Don Croll was hired in 1996 to replace Lisa Lipco Levine who had been here from 1989 to1996.
In 1993, we hired Rivka Arad as Religious School Director, in 1998 Bonnie Rubinstein as Preschool Director, in 2005 Steve Lewis as Executive Director, and Barrett Harr as Youth Director in 2006. Barrett Harr was promoted to Director of High School and Youth Programs in 2009. Deborah Massarano was hired as Lifelong Learning Director in 2009.
Centering around the Torah
It is our obligation to know the Torah, which is the heart of Judaism. Interfaith dialogues continue to be the highlight of many of our activities, and programs to provide Jewish education for the entire family. Temple Shalom is now an integral part of the Dallas Jewish Community. We invite the interest of all who wish to participate in our plans and growth.
