Arizona Jewish Historical Society — Mid-Century Social Services

Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association

Community Enrichment

In the late 1940s, a group of men took it upon themselves to create an organization that delivered interest free loans to the community. By 1950, the group was incorporated as a nonprofit organization called the Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association.

The general purpose of the organization was to distribute loans without interest to any deserving applicant. At the time the founding members of the Jewish Free Loan used their own money to provide the small loans to the community. By 1960, the Jewish Free Loan was offering a max loan of $500. Without the work done by the organization, many businesses, families and religious organizations may not have succeeded in the Phoenix area.

The Jewish Free Loan still operates today.

CLICK HERE: Phoenix Gazette Article July 1964
CLICK HERE: Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association

Officers of the Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association, which has issued a call for volunteers in the awarding of interest-free loans to needy persons on a non-sectarian basis are, from Sam Block, past president; Leon Francis, president; Joseph Cohen,… — Officers of the Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association, which has issued a call for volunteers in the awarding of interest-free loans to needy persons on a non-sectarian basis are, from Sam Block, past president; Leon Francis, president; Joseph Cohen, treasurer; and Max Markovitz

Jewish Free Loan Officers 1951 - L to R: Abe Cooper, Maurice L. Hunt, Sam Block, and Elias Loewy.

Jewish War Veterans

Jewish War Veterans of America was created in 1896 by Civil War veterans. After World War II, the Phoenix area saw the growth of several posts and hosted many community events around the area. Today, Post 194 and Post 210 proudly help our community by organizing local blood drives and assisting veterans in need. Mission Statement:

We, citizens of the United States of America, of the Jewish faith, who served in the Wars of the United States of America, in order that we may be of greater service to our country and to one another, associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America;
To foster and perpetuate true Americanism;
To combat whatever tends to impair the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions;
To uphold the fair name of the Jew and fight his or her battles wherever unjustly assailed; to encourage the doctrine of universal liberty, equal rights, and full justice to all men and women;
To combat the powers of bigotry and darkness wherever originating and whatever their target;
To preserve the spirit of comradeship by mutual helpfulness to comrades and their families;
To cooperate with and support existing educational institutions and establish educational institutions, and to foster the education of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, and our members in the ideals and principles of Americanism;
To instill love of country and flag, and to promote sound minds and bodies in our members and our youth;
To preserve the memories and records of patriotic service performed by the men and women of our faith;
To honor their memory and shield from neglect the graves of our heroic dead.

CLICK HERE: Post 210 Keeps Busy This Spring - Jewish War Veterans, Volume 72. Number 2. Summer 2018

Jewish War Veterans planning for an upcoming dance

Hadassah

The first Phoenix Hadassah chapter started in 1940. Their mission was to build two major hospitals in the land of Israel: one at Mount Scopus and one at Ein Karem. Pearl Newmark, the mother of Flo Eckstein (Jewish News publisher emeritus), was the founding Hadassah President in Phoenix.

By the 21st century, the Hadassah continues its mission, by giving aid and donations to health-based development in Israel, while also providing women an opportunity to have an outlet from everyday life.

Mrs. Halperin presenting Hadassah plaque to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hoffman

Junior Hadassah installation of officers

Hadassah members with Governor Fannin ca. 1960

Jewish Family & Children’s Service

In 1935, a group of Jewish women in Phoenix decided to create a social service agency to help those in need during the Great Depression. The organization thrived under the leadership of Rabbi Abraham L. Krohn as the Phoenix Jewish Social Service. In 1962, the agency was renamed Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS). On April 20, 2006, JFCS celebrated its 70th anniversary and continues to serve the Phoenix area.

JFCS’s mission is to strengthen the community by providing behavioral health, healthcare and social services to all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. The Jewish values guiding the JFCS mission past present and future:

Kehila – building community
Tzedakah – to do what is right and just
Tikkun Olam – repairing the world
Gemilut Chasadim – acts of kindness

Article on the Jewish Family & Children's Service annual meeting in 1964

Preparing for the Annual Meeting, 1970 with Jeannette Pollack (seated), Herman Miller, and Mrs. Edgar Korrick

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Sources: HADASSAH.ORG, The Jewish News, The Phoneix Gazette

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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.)

Exhibit Entrance
1. Welcome to Mid-Century Jewish Life in Phoenix
Featurette
1. Korricks Department Store
Social Life in Phoenix
Community Enrichment
Religious Life
Jewish Engagement in Civil Rights
Activities Corner
1. The Poodle Skirt
2. Paper Dolls

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