Har Zion, now Congregation Or Tzion

Religious Life

In 1960, twenty people gathered together to bring a Conservative Synagogue to the Scottsdale area. They adopted the name Har Zion Congregation which means Mt. Zion, one of the two mountains which hold a special place in Jewish history. In the same year Har Zion hosted its first High Holy Day services at the Safari Hotel with 200 people in attendance and had borrowed Torahs from Beth El and Beth Hebrew. The new congregation raised around $150,000 for construction of a synagogue and purchased five acres on Lincoln Drive in 1965.

In 2014, a merger between Or Chadash and Har Zion was completed combining the two congregations. They are now called Congregation Or Tzion and are still located in the Scottsdale area. Har Zion sold their location on Lincoln Drive to The Arts Academy and moved to their current location on North 90th Street.

“Today, Congregation Or Tzion, a vibrant community of about 450 families, is dedicated to preserving the best traditions of both Congregation Or Chadash and Har Zion Congregation, to be a place where our fellow congregants become our friends, and our friends become our family.”*

Temple Beth Shalom

In 1968 a handful of Sun City residents looking for a spiritual home started Temple Beth Shalom. In the beginning the congregation would meet at the Fairway Center in Sun City before moving to the Sun Dial Center in 1975. On the recommendation by Rabbi Plotkin, Rabbi Albert Michels became the first permanent Rabbi for the congregation and was officially installed in 1972. In 1976, the congregation purchased land and began construction a year later. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Rabbi Michels states, “At last, we have a home. We no longer have to wander in the desert.” The congregation has seen tremendous growth in the Sun City area and is still located on North 101st Avenue.  

Beth Joseph

In 1965, Beth Joseph Congregation was founded by Rabbi David Rebibo (founder/Dean of the Phoenix Hebrew Academy). Beth Joseph meets on the same campus as the Greater Phoenix Vaad HaKashruth, the Jewish Enrichment Center, and the Phoenix Hebrew Academy. Since its founding Beth Joseph is a synagogue member of the Union of Orthodox Congregations. Today, Beth Joseph Congregation is located at 525 E Bethany Home Road in Phoenix.

Temple Shalom

In the mid-1950's a group of congregation members decided to break away from Beth Israel and started their own congregation. Temple Shalom was formed, but unfortunately the congregation eventually dissolved because it could not retain enough membership. 

Temple Beth Sholom

Temple Beth Sholom was the first Jewish congregation established in the East Valley.   It was founded in 1949 and is currently located in Chandler, Arizona. 
CLICK HERE: For more information on Beth Sholom

Sources: http://www.phoenixbethjoseph.org, You Tube, ChabadAZ, https://tbsaz.org, http://www.congregationortzion.org, *https://www.congregationortzion.org/about/history

Unless credited with prior ownership and copyright - all displayed imagery, documents, brochures, books, materials, recordings, video, broadcasts, and promotional materials of every form and description, whether in written, analog, digital, film or electronic form, prepared by Arizona Jewish Historical Society shall remain the copyrighted property works of Arizona Jewish Historical Society. Any unauthorized use of that information or materials may violate copyright, trademark and other laws. Any rights not expressly granted are reserved.

AZJHS is deeply grateful to all our donors and sponsors for their generous support and gifts throughout the year. Because of you, we are able to continue providing to the public at no cost our many programs, events and exhibits.

Mid Century Exhibit Key

(Please choose from the links below to enter the exhibit room of your choice.)

1. Exhibit Entrance

   1. Welcome to Mid-Century Jewish Life in Phoenix

2. Featurette

   1. Korricks Department Store

3. Social Life in Phoenix

   1. Social Calendar

   2. Purim Carnival and Queen Esther

   3. Jewish Festivals, Plays, Dances

   4. Fashion & Jewelry

4. Community Enrichment

   1. Kivel Nursing Home

   2. Jewish Community Center

   3. Youth Organizations

   4. Social Services

5. Religious Life

   1. Temple Beth Israel

   2. Beth El Congregation

   3. Beth Hebrew

   4. Har Zion, Temple Beth Shalom, Beth Joseph, Temple Shalom, and Temple Beth Sholom

   5. Rabbi Albert Plotkin and Sylvia Plotkin

6. Jewish Engagement in Civil Rights

   1. Camelback Inn

   2. Establishment of the State of Israel

   3. Civil Rights

7. Activities Corner

   1. The Poodle Skirt

   2. Paper Dolls

If you have Mid-Century Photos or Documents from 1945-1975 and would like to add to our photographic and informational collection, please fill out the below and submit. Our Special Collections Curator will be in contact with you. Thank you.

CLICK HERE: CONGREGATION OR TZION
16415 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 342-8858

CLICK HERE: BETH JOSEPH CONGREGATION
515 E Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 277-8858

CLICK HERE: TEMPLE BETH SHALOM
12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351
(623) 977-3240