Establishment of the State of Israel

Jewish Engagement in Civil Rights

The postwar era witnessed one of the most important events in the Jewish people’s 4,000 year old existence.  After nearly nineteen centuries of exile, the Jewish people regained their sovereignty on May 14, 1948, when the State of Israel declared its independence.  This momentous occasion had an enormous impact on Jewish life in the Valley.  Although Jews in Arizona and throughout America continued to remain loyal U.S. citizens, people of all social and economic strata came together to show support and raise funds for the new fledgling nation. 

DOWNLOAD: A Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel sent to the Arizona Brandeis Zionist District from the Zionist Organization of America in 1948. 

DOWNLOAD: Form letter, written on March 24, 1958, by M.B. Goldman, Jr., Chairman of the Phoenix Committee for Israel's 10th Anniversary Celebration used for donations.

Six Day War

In June 1967, the new Jewish state was threatened with destruction by multiple Arab nations.  In a decisive war lasting only six days, the tiny State of Israel defeated the much larger armies of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and others, and further gained control over Old City of Jerusalem which includes the holiest sites in the Jewish religion; the Western Wall and the Temple Mount.  Between 1948-1967, Jews had been banned from visiting these holy places by the Jordanian government.   These decisive events again produced an outpouring of admiration and support from our Valley’s Jewish community.

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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 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.