Mid-Century Jewish Life in Phoenix

Entrance to the Exhibit

Welcome to our online exhibition of Mid-Century Jewish Life in Phoenix!   This exhibit was originally intended to run as a live exhibit at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center.    

Mid-Century Jewish Life in Phoenix provides visitors with a brief look at Jewish life in the Valley from 1945-1975.   It is based primarily on photographs and other materials housed in Pearl and Cecil Newmark Memorial Archives of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, as well items made available by community members. 

Topics covered in this exhibit include the social, religious, economic, and cultural life of our local Jewish community during the postwar era.  In addition, the exhibit also examines the impact of larger national and global events on our community such as the Civil Rights movement in the United States and the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948.  

We hope that people of all ages will enjoy this glimpse into this important period of Arizona’s history.   Whether you have long-established roots here in our Valley or you have just arrived, the events during this time played a pivotal role in shaping our community life today. 

Please note that this exhibit is not intended to be a comprehensive history of Jewish life in the Valley during this time. Moreover, due to the challenging conditions under which it has been produced, it should also be considered as a work in progress. Visitors should feel free to check back periodically to look for updates. 

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following people for their generous help and support on creating this fabulous exhibit that you will now be able to view online at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society.

• Heather Roehl, Exhibit and Special Collections Curator at AZJHS

• Dr. Lawrence Bell, Ph.D., Executive Director

• Mark Brown, Researcher on Civil Rights Movement (Volunteer)

• Dan Gould, Archival Researcher (Volunteer)

• Neal Kurn (Volunteer)

• Pamela Levin, Community Chair (Volunteer)

• Debra Lynne Hrynyk, W&C Marketing & Designs, Graphics and Webpage Design

• Janis Plotkin

• Marty Richelsoph, AZJHS Archivist (Volunteer)

• Jeffrey Schesnol, Associate Director

• Marc Vance, Research Assistant from Arizona State University

 This exhibit would not have been possible without the generous funds provided by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, David Frazer, and Neal Kurn.

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.

You have just entered our exhibit the
Mid-Century Jewish Life in Phoenix

• Each exhibit room will end with a button asking you to click to enter the next online room.

• If you prefer to choose your own room and not follow the structured suggested exhibit tour, please look below for the outline “key” of links allowing you to choose the room you would like to enter.

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.

(Source: Me TV, You Tube)

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