Beth Hebrew

Religious Life

In the autumn of 1950, three men met at the home of Max Jacobson to discuss the idea of starting an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in the downtown Phoenix area. There was an initial contribution of $2,000 made in memory of Max Jacobson’s wife, Channe Jacobson, to purchase the first building on October 27, 1950. Beth Hebrew congregation was incorporated on November 1st of that same year. Beth Israel donated an Ark, Sefor Torahs, chairs and candelabras to the newly established congregation and Rabbi Krohn consulted with the newly established officers.  In fact, Beth Israel opened their arms further by giving a section of their cemetery to Beth Hebrew until they were able to purchase their own in 1952.

Elias Loewy - A Holocaust Survivor and Founding Member

Among the founders of Beth Hebrew, was a Holocaust survivor named Elias Loewy. He moved to Arizona in 1948 nearly 10 years after his family was forced into a French Internment Camp.

"There was no warning at all. We couldn't take anything with us," Fred Loewy recalls.** The Loweys, even though freed from this camp within a week they stayed in a nearby by French village to free 1,500 Jews and prisoners in the Agde concentration camp. "My grandfather during the war had chutzpah — just a lot of moxie," Richard Loewy, Elias' grandson, said.*

Both Fred and Max Loewy, sons of Elias would join the French resistance, an underground group of militants. Together they would fight the German invaders and other nazi sympathizers during the war. Max would lose his life in their second battle. Fred explained, “"I was about 50 feet from my brother," when he died on Aug. 27, 1944, at age 22.”*

After the war, the Loewys would receive their papers and move to New York. Soon Elias’ health would be compromised, his physician recommended to move to a warmer climate. They would end up in Phoenix where Elias would open a radio store, help organize the Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association and was one of 10 to establish Beth Hebrew. Elias would pass on prior to the synagogue’s completion but his legacy would continue on.

CLICK HERE: Oral history interview with Fred Loewy - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

New Synagogue and Merger

A new synagogue was constructed at East Portland Street on July 8, 1955. It would take a little over a year to complete at which time the congregation decided on a name change to Congregation Ayn Yaacov. For the next two decades, the congregation saw its numbers dwindling as many Jewish families moved away from downtown Phoenix into the suburbs. In 1980 the congregation would eventual merge with Beth El Congregation.

Following the dissolution of Beth Hebrew congregation, the building on East Portland St. went on to become the home of Phoenix's Black Theatre Troupe. Today, the building is now owned by developer Michael Levine. 

1. Beth Hebrew Sisterhood President, Mrs. David Kalish (left), and Beth Hebrew Mother's Auxilary President, Mrs. Fred Loewy (right), welcome Rabbi Adam Newberger, his wife (center) and his daughter, Mrs. Robert Sichek, at the synagogue's open house

2. Beth Hebrew Congregation presents Simchat Torah 

3. The dedication ceremony for Beth Hebrew in 1950. Listed Left to Right: Top Row: Elias Loewy, Meyer Aronoff. Second Row: Alex Richardson, Max Jacobson, Meyer Gershman, Morris Polesetzky. Bottom Row: Rabbi Orshansky, Charles Siegel, Charles Korrick, Rabbi Jaffa, Rabbi Danzig, Eric Duskin, Rabbi Y. Dow

4. Beth Hebrew Congregation celebrating the New Year with a juggler and jazz band in the background

Sources: The Phoenix Jewish News, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - Collection Accession Number: 2005.460 | RG Number: RG-50.030.0501

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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 and Introduction (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 Beth 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

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