Hillel at SMU celebrates opening of Hillel Home in Perkins’ Prothro Hall

DALLAS (SMU) – Jewish student life at Southern Methodist University has a new home in the heart of campus, signaling a deepened commitment to hospitality and interfaith engagement within the Perkins School of Theology community. 

“The opening of Hillel Home is a meaningful milestone for Jewish life on the Hilltop. Students thrive when they are able to bring their full identities into a welcoming community. Hillel’s presence in Prothro Hall provides Jewish students with a home away from home and strengthens the interfaith culture that is so important to our campus. Spending time with students in this space highlights the wonderful things that happen when belonging and connection are at the heart of student life,” said Rachel Mersey, Executive Vice President and Provost.  

Bryan P. Stone, Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean of Perkins School of Theology, said welcoming Hillel into Prothro Hall reflects Perkins’ desire to extend hospitality and foster meaningful interfaith relationships. 

“As Hillel continues its mission of serving Jewish students, we are honored to provide a space where community, learning and faith can flourish together within the broader life of the University,” said Stone. 

The new Hillel Home in Prothro 208 marks a significant milestone for Jewish student life at SMU, providing a dedicated gathering place for prayer, study, celebration and community. 

“Hillel Home is the culmination of 22 years of growing the Jewish community and Hillel at SMU,” said Rabbi Heidi Coretz, executive director of Hillel at SMU and assistant chaplain for Jewish life. “We are grateful to Perkins School of Theology for welcoming us into their space in Prothro Hall. In this time of rising antisemitism, it is especially meaningful to be at a university that recognizes the importance of providing a safe place for the Jewish community to gather, celebrate and learn.”

Under Coretz’s leadership, Hillel at SMU serves more than 500 Jewish students through programs including Shabbat dinners, Jewish holiday celebrations, the Jewish Learning Fellowship and weekly gatherings that foster meaningful relationships and vibrant Jewish life.

The new Hillel Home will expand those efforts, offering a welcoming space for students to study, socialize and strengthen their faith and identity. The space reflects years of growth in Jewish student life at SMU and the continued expansion of Hillel programming on campus. 

“As students, we’ve invested time and care into making this space our own, and that’s what makes it so special,” said Jonathan Kalach Chelminsky, a junior majoring in economics and finance. “The Hillel Home will strengthen our community and create opportunities for connection, learning and celebration.”

Hillel at SMU will formally dedicate the space on May 5 during the Hillel Home Dedication Celebration. The invitation-only event begins at 7 p.m. in the Prothro Great Hall, followed by tours of the new space and a reception. 

The Hillel Home was made possible through a $100,000 gift from Warren Lichtenstein, supporting rent, security upgrades and completion of the space. 

With the opening of the Hillel Home, Jewish student life at SMU gains not only a physical space but also a visible sign of belonging and partnership within the University. 

Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.