Morton Rachofsky^z”l was many things to those who knew him:  A loving son, brother, and uncle; an artist, inventor, and businessman.  To DJHS, Morton was a     long-time friend and supporter, a member who was always ready with a smile and wry observation as well as compliments to our staff and leadership when he recognized a job well done.  Morton was a willing participant as we began to expand our Oral History Project and gave DJHS access not only to his long family history in Dallas but also to his evolution as an artist and sculptor.  Thanks to generous donations from the Sam Feldman family;  we not only hold several original pieces of his sculpture and inventions in our Archive, but a new permanent fund establishes the Morton Rachofsky Oral History Archive, which currently includes over 750 recorded Oral History interviews.  Donations to the fund may be made at https://djhs.org/donate/.

It’s not every day that you can hear from past Jewish movers and shakers, old friends and acquaintances, or even your family members who have had a tremendous impact on the Jewish community. At DJHS, we make that thought a reality.

Since 1971, as part of our ongoing mission to tell the story of the Dallas Jewish community, we have captured approximately 750 oral histories, and we continue to digitally record interviews with members of the Dallas Jewish community from all walks of life, preserving life’s lessons and important events for future generations.  We not only have an active Oral History committee, but are committed to expanding our scope.  Our Oral History participants serve as a collective memory, communicating the values and history of different generations and providing a distinct sense of place and time.

Don’t miss out on this great resource – take a listen to those whose incredible stories celebrate our history, our diversity, and their wealth of dedication to making our community a better place. Browse the entire DJHS Oral History Project collection to see full interviews with both Natives and Newcomers to the Dallas Jewish community.

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Oral History Interview Sign-Up

Donating your oral history interview to DJHS is not only easy, fun, and free – it’s a memorable and cherished keepsake for your family members and future generations. Your story is unique and an important part of both your family’s history and the history of our community. By donating, you assist in preserving memories of people, businesses, and organizations you have interacted with throughout your life. All oral history donations become part of our permanent collection and may be used for research, marketing, and promotions. Begin the process of sharing your story by signing up below!

Our archivist will contact you shortly to finalize a date a time for your interview and answer any questions you may have.