Kivel Nursing Home

Community Enrichment

In response to the need of a proper center for the care of the elderly Jewish community in Phoenix following World War II, a surprise gift was given in order to create a facility. In 1955, following the passing of Himann (Hyman) Kivel, he left the Jewish community $105,000 for the creation of a Jewish nursing home.

DOWNLOAD: Kivel Rest Home agreement for funds from Himann Kivel. November 14, 1955

Himann (Hyman) Kivel’s Generous Donation

Himann (Hyman) Kivel was a quiet man that was not known to have much to his name. In the later years of his life, Kivel was exposed to the needs of a proper care facility in Phoenix. He had received many visits from the Jewish Social Service and the Jewish Family and Child Services. With these visits, Kivel could feel the care and love coming from the Jewish community. Kivel knew the conditions and amenities for the Jewish elderly were nonexistent in Phoenix during the 1950s. Nearing the end of his life, he decided to amend his will leaving a sum of $105,000 (today that would be around one million dollars) to the Jewish community for the building of a proper Jewish nursing home facility. With the money he left, the community could now build the Kivel Nursing Home, which they deserved.

Kivel Nursing Home

Before Kivel’s gift, conditions were underwhelming for elderly care in the Phoenix area. Many of the elderly in the community were placed in “converted garages or warehouses” that were considered to be nursing homes. There were efforts by the community to help take care of one or two of the elderly, but efforts were not successful. Many of those who would need that kind of care did not have families to turn to in the area, relying on the small number of organizations to help, like the Jewish Social Service and the Jewish Family and Childrens Services.

Kivel Nursing Home broke ground in 1957. The creation of the first nursing home would have a ripple effect in Phoenix, as the standard of conditions rose across the city for other facilities that sought to mimic the efforts of the Jewish community. No more were poor standards, which left elderly lonely, hungry and unkempt going to be tolerated. The new facility served as a beacon of hope for the Jewish community, as there was a promise of a continued enjoyment of life.

Building on the success of the Kivel Nursing Home, other challenges arose; and needs were still not being met. So, the planning of Kivel Manor took place, which would be a new facility that would accommodate every obstacle that came from the wide array of needs the senior Jewish community had. The accomplishments of Kivel are extensive; in 1969 it was awarded the “Doc Dunham” plaque for the creation of Kivel Manor, which was awarded to committees of Phoenix who served in the betterment of the entire community. In 1970, Kivel was announced as one of the only five long term care facilities in Arizona that had been accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals.

DOWNLOAD: The History of the Kivel Geriatric Center written by Hirsch Kaplan 

Sources: The Phoenix Jewish News (https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/phxjewishnews/id/1227/)

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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 Service

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.

CLICK HERE: Nursing Home Support Article

CLICK HERE: Kivel Campus of Care
3040 N. 36th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-443-8000