Arizona Jewish Historical Society

10/20/2026

Thank you to the Arizona Capitol Museum and Writing To Remember - Author Adena Bernstein for this morning's "From Memory to Justice" event with students, teachers, and members of our team. Adena took students on a journey from Holocaust survival to the fight for justice over Nazi-looted art, with personal stories about her grandmother's survival to the challenges of recovering what was taken more than 80 years later on a global scale.

10/16/2026

A sneak peek to our upcoming Heritage Gala! Our honorees, Mel Kessler and Gail Fisher, pictured here at the Tempe Center for the Arts, were featured in Jewish News for their contributions to our community. Read more about their ongoing legacy of service: https://www.jewishaz.com/community/azjhs-honors-community-leaders-at-heritage-award-gala/article_563af411-8e3f-4a23-8937-b453f047a8ac.html

10/13/2026

We're thrilled to partner with Phoenix Holocaust Association and Jewish Studies at Arizona State University for the Murray and Sabina Zemel z"l Educators Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide, coming up on October 28.

Education is the core of our mission, vision, and values, and we're excited to see friends, partners, and future collaborators at the conference. Register here: https://phxha.com/

Will we see you there?

10/11/2026

Over a century of history lays the foundation to the next generation of memories, joy, and community.

Phoenix's first permanent synagogue will begin a new chapter with the Guzman Family Center: Celebrating the Enduring Light of a People. By restoring this landmark, we're preserving our community's deep roots while building a dynamic space for future generations to learn, gather, and celebrate Jewish culture in Arizona.

👉🏻 Learn more and help carry this historic space forward:

Introducing the Guzman Center: Celebrating the Enduring Light of a People. Join us in restoring our history, for generations to come.

10/07/2026

In Jewish tradition, community is more than where we gather. It is a core tenet of who we are. We draw our strength, resilience, and hope from one another, especially in moments of deep reflection and collective memory.

As we hold in our hearts the 1,200 lives lost on October 7th, we remember them and honor their memory together. In the spirit of community, we are grateful for opportunities to come together, reflect on their courage, and celebrate the enduring strength of the Jewish people. We look forward to seeing friends at the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix"Project Heroes" event in just a few weeks and continuing to reflect...together. https://phoenixcjp.regfox.com/projectheroes

10/05/2026

Our Heritage Gala is just over a month away, and the deadline to reserve a tribute message or ad in the program book is coming up on October 13! Show your support for the AZJHS, commemorate our honorees, Mel Kessler and Gail Fisher, and be part of this year's Heritage Gala. Reserve yours: https://azjhs.org/heritage-gala-2026/

10/02/2026

This evening, we begin the celebrations of Shemini Atzeret (the "eighth day stop" following the seven days of Sukkot) and Simchat Torah, celebrating the completion of the annual reading of the Torah to begin anew. It is customary to light candles, dance and sing with Torah scrolls (hakafot), and enjoy a holiday meal --- symbolizing the joy of reading the Torah and the renewal of beginning again.

10/01/2026

Join us on 10/21 as our President and CEO, Talli Dippold, presents "Memory to Legacy" at the East Valley JCC! She'll share more about our plans for the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center, an update on our progress, and how the community can get involved. Learn more: https://www.evjcc.org/events/memory-to-legacy-building-the-hilton-family-holocaust-education-center/

09/25/2026

Sukkot begins tonight at sundown, bringing Jewish families and communities into a season of gratitude and gathering. 🌿

After the reflection of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, this holiday invites us to step outside, share meals in the sukkah, a temporary outdoor shelter, and remember the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness.

For generations, the sukkah has reminded us to appreciate what sustains us. The lulav, a bundle of palm, myrtle, and willow branches, and the etrog, a citron fruit, bring symbols of harvest, blessing, and connection into the holiday.

Wishing all who celebrate a joyful Sukkot. Chag Sameach. ✡️