The Arizona Jewish Historical Society was awarded a grant of $25,000 from American Express Corporation 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.  

To date, the AJHS has raised over $2.5 million in cash and pledges for this project.  Please contact 602-241-7870 or visit azjhs.org for more information or to make a donation.