History of the Jews in Brazos County, Texas facts for kids

Jewish settlement in Brazos County, Texas, began in 1865. This history includes the present Jewish communities and individuals of Brazos County and Texas A&M University.

Temple Freda

One of the first Jewish temples in Brazos County is Temple Freda, which was built in 1912 and added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on September 22, 1983. Temple Freda is one of the three oldest religious buildings in the county. The temple is named for Ethel Freda Kaczer (1860–1912), wife of the president of the Jewish community when the synagogue was built. The temple being named after a woman is unique for a Jewish place of worship.

Texas A&M Hillel

Texas A&M Hillel is the oldest Hillel Foundation organization in the United States. The organization was founded in 1920, three years before the national Hillel Foundation was organized at University of Illinois. Texas A&M Hillel began as the TAMC Menorah Club and was organized in 1916 by Jacob Joseph Taubenhaus. He and his wife Esther founded the "TAMC Hillel Club" in 1920, with assistance from Rabbi David Lefkowitz. In 1958, Texas A&M Hillel opened up a building of its own.

Peter Tarlow, a rabbi, was the executive director of Texas A&M Hillel from 1983 to 2013.

Chabad of Brazos Valley

Chabad of Brazos Valley, also known as the Chabad Center of Texas A&M, was founded on July 10, 2007.