| The Council of Jewish Women and the Sisterhood of Temple
Beth Israel were two women's organizations that worked actively to
build a religious community at Temple Beth Israel, the first reform
temple in Phoenix. These groups raised funds to build the first and
second temples of their congregation, taught Sabbath school, aided the
rabbis, and worked in other ways to foster community development. The
building that housed the temple is now the Cutler*Plotkin[1] Jewish
Heritage Center, located at 122 E. Culver in Phoenix.
Region: Phoenix and Central Arizona
Theme: Women and Community Building |
| Women from the congregation of Temple Beth Israel organized the
Council of Jewish Women, Phoenix branch, in 1917 with fourteen
members. By 1921, their membership had grown to seventy. Like many
other women's clubs of this era, this organization united Jewish women
to work for social betterment through philanthropy, civics and
education. Meeting twice monthly, the women staffed a variety of
committees that were organized to teach Sabbath School, raise money,
help the sick and provide publicity. They also worked on issues
related to social welfare, legislation, peace and immigrant aid. In
addition, the Council helped locate rabbis for their religious
community and raise funds to beautify their cemetery, at 305 S. 35th
Avenue.
The Council of Jewish Women played an important role in the early
development of Temple Beth Israel. They formed the Sisterhood of Beth
Israel in 1933 and continued the same work as the earlier
organization. After the congregation outgrew its site on East Culver
Street, members of the Sisterhood raised money to build a second
temple that was completed in 1948 at 3310 N. 10th Avenue. This
organization continued to work in education, social welfare, and to
improve community relations in the wider community.
Women who were leaders in these organizations included Freeda Marks,
who went on to serve in the Arizona State Legislature and eventually
became a leader among women in the Republican Party. Other prominent
members included Helen Diamond, wife of Harold Diamond who owned
Diamond's Department store (now Dillard's), and Blanche Korrick,
married to Charles Korrick who owned Korrick's Department Store, later
Robinson-May.
To learn more about these organizations and Jewish history in the
Valley visit the Cutler*Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center at 122 E.
Culver Street in Phoenix. Although the facility is now being
renovated, it is open by appointment. The museum-educational center is
scheduled to open permanently in 2011.
[1] The name "Cutler" honors civic activists James and Bettie Cutler,
and "Plotkin" refers to Rabbi Albert Plotkin, a leading figure in the
Valley's Jewish and interfaith relations. The symbol joining the names
stands for the Star of David.
Photo Credits:
Council of Jewish Women at luncheon. - Courtesy of Arizona Jewish Historical Society
Freeda Marks - Courtesy of Arizona Jewish Historical Society
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