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April 12, 2002/Nisan 30, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 30
Temple site in escrow
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society is seeking $200,000 by June 5 to close escrow on the property that housed Phoenix's first synagogue, located at 122 E. Culver St.
The property is slated to be renovated into a Jewish Heritage Center housing the AJHS, the Culver Street Synagogue, the Greater Phoenix Jewish Genealogical Society and the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors' Association, said Beryl Morton, AJHS project coordinator.
"We are on the threshold of an amazing opportunity to bring a new dimension to Jewish communal life in the Valley," Morton said in a written statement.
Fund-raising plans have not been announced but AJHS is now accepting donations.
Morton is confident the Valley Jewish community will realize the importance of preserving the site.
"This is historically a giant, huge milestone in the history of our community," Morton said. "(This will be) the only Jewish historic site in the whole Valley."
The property housed Temple Beth Israel from 1920-1949, a Chinese Baptist church from 1949-1959, and since then, Iglesia Bautista, a Mexican Baptist Church. This week, AJHS agreed to purchase the property from Iglesia Bautista.
AJHS paid "upwards of $500,000," said Risa Mallin, AJHS executive director.
A representative from the church was unavailable for comment.
After escrow closes, the first step is to rehabilitate the building as quickly as possible, Morton said. She expects the building will need new plumbing and wiring; inspections are underway this week.
The AJHS is in the process of organizing committees on fund-raising, restoration and interior design.
Besides restoring the sanctuary, plans for the main building and its seven outbuildings include office space and AJHS and Holocaust exhibit facilities.
"This is so important for the future generations," Morton said.
Moveable pews in the sanctuary will provide flexible space for community or lifecycle events such as weddings, b'nai mitzvah, lectures and other programs, she said.
The synagogue is located immediately east of Phoenix's Burton Barr Public Library and within walking distance of the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum.
"I think this is going to be an incredible thing for the City of Phoenix," said Roberta Hancock, business development advocate of the Phoenix Arts Districts Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization that fosters economic development and infrastructure for creative industries.
Hancock called it a "unifying element to bring in the arts museum district."
The Culver Street Synagogue is Arizona's second synagogue. The first was built in Tucson in 1910 and has recently been reclaimed by Tucson's Jewish community.
Call AJHS, 602-241-7870 or send donations to AJHS, 4710 N. 16th St., #201, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
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