The Arizona
Jewish Historical Society was awarded a grant of $25,000 from Salt
River project to support the restoration of Phoenix’s first
synagogue as the CutlerYPlotkin Jewish Heritage Center. When
completed, this historic building will serve the community as a
museum and cultural center.
Originally
built in 1922, the site was the home of Phoenix’s first Jewish
congregation, Temple Beth Israel, until 1949. Following this, it
began a new life as Phoenix’s first Chinese Baptist Church, and
later housed a Spanish-speaking Baptist congregation as well. The
Arizona Jewish Historical Society purchased the property in 2002 to
save it from destruction by developers. In May 2008, the site was
officially designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.
Exhibits in the
museum will focus on the Arizona Jewish experience and the ways in
which Jews have contributed to the history of our state and our
country. They will also focus on the great diversity of our city,
and the three different religious congregations which shared this
same space.
According to D.
Michael Rappoport, Associate General Manager of Public and
Communications Services for Salt River project, “For more than 100
years, water and power have been essential to SRP’s mission of
building a strong Arizona. Equally important is our commitment to
improving the communities where we work and live by providing
volunteer and financial support to non-profit organizations. These
partnerships serve as the cornerstone of a culture of community
service that helps define SRP in a new century of service.”
AJHS Executive
Director Lawrence Bell says the grant is yet another example of,
“the kind of leadership role we are playing at the Arizona Jewish
Historical Society here in the Jewish community on issues like arts,
culture, education, and historic preservation in a growing
metropolitan center like Phoenix. We are working to build an
identity for our children and grandchildren.”
The funds from
SRP will go to support construction and construction related
expenses and are payable beginning in May 2010.
