About Us:
In 1981, The Arizona Jewish Historical Society was founded in order to preserve the rich heritage of Arizona’s Jewish communities and to educate the public about the Jewish contributions to Arizona and American life. In addition, the society seeks to promote greater awareness of our state’s diverse history through a variety of educational programs.
The society currently maintains a large archival collection with over 50,000 primary source documents, photographs, artifacts, and other memorabilia pertaining to the Jewish experience in Arizona and the American Southwest. In addition, we have conducted over 200 oral history interviews and 100 video interviews with Arizona’s Jewish residents, many of whom are no longer living. Through our oral histories and archival collections, the society enables the subjects of our history to speak directly from the past, in their own words. The society also sponsors a variety of educational programs, including lectures, genealogy seminars, book discussions, art exhibitions, theatre performances, and music and culinary events.
In 2001, the AZJHS substantially expanded its activities by acquiring the home of Phoenix’s first synagogue and restoring it as the Cutler✡Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center. The building first served as a sanctuary, religious school, and social center for the local Jewish community from 1922-1949. It later became a Chinese-speaking Baptist church and then a Spanish-speaking Baptist church. After an 8 year effort, the society raised over $3,000,000 to rehabilitate the facility as a cultural and educational center. View the Wall of Honor.
The Cutler✡Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center now serves as the headquarters for the society and its activities. The facility is available for rent by people of all faiths for functions including weddings, receptions, fundraisers, presentations, seminars, and meetings.
