St. Edward`s University

Explore Texas Hillel Foundation

Founded in 1927, Texas Hillel at The University of Texas at Austin’s mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Texas Hillel students, professionals and volunteer leaders are dedicated to creating a pluralistic, welcoming and inclusive environment for Jewish college students, where they are encouraged to grow intellectually, spiritually and socially. Texas Hillel helps students find a balance in being distinctively Jewish and universally human by encouraging them to pursue tzedek (social justice), tikkun olam (repairing the world) and Jewish learning, and to support Israel and global Jewish peoplehood. Texas Hillel is committed to excellence, innovation, accountability and results. The University of Texas at Austin is a vibrant campus community with more than 4,000 Jewish students, making Texas Hillel host to the largest population of Jewish students in the region. Texas Hillel plans more than one hundred different activities each year, and programs under its sponsorship have been recognized by the University as Best Campus Service Organization (for social action and community volunteerism), Best Campus Political Organization (for Texans for Israel advocacy and education work and for the White Rose Society’s anti-genocide campaign), and Most Outstanding Campus Religious Organization. Texas Hillel has also been recognized by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life as an Exemplar of Excellence and with the Haber Award in 2005 for the White Rose Society (a Holocaust Remembrance and Genocide Awareness group). Engaging students one-at-a-time and through large-scale events, Texas Hillel hosts the full array of Jewish celebrations and observances including weekly Shabbat services (Conservative, Orthodox and Reform) and dinner, Passover and High Holy Days. Texas Hillel is the address for pro-Israel activism on campus and is also deeply involved in interfaith work. Two of the Texas Hillel staff members have been recognized as Exemplars of Excellence by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Texas Hillel enjoys a strong partnership with the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies at UT-Austin (http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/scjs/) and the Jewish Community Association of Austin. Housed in an award-winning 18,000 square foot facility dedicated in 2006, Texas Hillel is named for philanthropists Mort and Bobbi Topfer of Austin, and the late Abe and Annie Seibel of Galveston. The Topfer Center for Jewish Life at the Abe and Annie Seibel Building has state-of-the-art kosher kitchens, and many of its rooms are available for rent by individuals and organizations.