The society was founded in 1980 by Rabbi Jimmy Kessler of Galveston.
He published letters in Jewish newspapers in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, inviting people to participate in the creation of a historical society to preserve and appreciate Jewish history in Texas.
[1] Today TJHS has about 800 members, who meet quarterly around the state.
This is part of a wider movement to study the history of Jewish life in the Americas since the several major European migrations to this region.
TJHS's website states that their purpose is to, "collect, preserve, publish and disseminate materials having reference to the settlement and history of Jews in Texas and their participation in its social, economic, religious, political, professional and cultural growth."