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November 15, 2002/Kislev 10 5763, Vol. 55, No. 12
'History in the making'Cultural fair touts Phoenix's Jewish heritage
LEISAH NAMM
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 Children in Temple Solel's choir perform in a cantor's concert at the Nov. 10 Jewish Heritage Fair, held in the sanctuary of Phoenix's first synagogue. Photo by Flo Eckstein |
The children, from local synagogues and schools, joined in a cantors' concert as part of the Valley's first Jewish Heritage Fair, held Nov. 10 at the Culver Street Synagogue, 122 E. Culver St., in historic downtown Phoenix.
The fair's host, The Arizona Jewish Historical Society, purchased the site in June with plans to renovate it into a Jewish Heritage Center. The synagogue was built in 1921 and housed Temple Beth Israel from 1922-1949.
More than 1,000 visitors wandered among the many booths run by Valley synagogues, Jewish organizations and vendors during the six-hour event, according to Risa Mallin, AJHS executive director.
"This is beyond all of our expectations for a wonderful day," she said.
Architect Stu Siefer led tours of the building and described renovation plans.
About 75 volunteers worked at the heritage fair, which in addition to the cantors' concert, included a performance by the Simcha Street Band, singing-cowboy-and-storyteller Gary Sprague, square dancers, and kosher food vendors.
At a closing ceremony, designer Max Gimpel received the Beryl Morton Jewish Heritage Award for his artistic contributions to the community.
Gimpel designed the newly installed mezuzah for the doorpost of the Jewish Heritage Center. He also designed the stained glass windows and bima at Beth Emeth Congregation in Sun City West, as well as major architectural development of Beth Emeth, Mallin said.
He also has done significant work for AJHS and the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum, she added.
Rabbi Leo Abrami of Beth Emeth thanked Gimpel for his work with the synagogue, and AJHS board president Corrine Brooks presented the first-time award, named in honor of Beryl Morton.
Morton, longtime curator and executive director for the AJHS, was a driving force in the purchase of the Culver Street Synagogue.
"If it weren't for (Morton), none of this would have happened," said Ron Anatole, heritage fair visitor and 44-year Phoenix resident.
Gov. Jane D. Hull sent a proclamation declaring Nov. 10-17 "Arizona Jewish Heritage Week." AJHS plans to commemorate this in upcoming years with annual fairs and by encouraging the study of Jewish history during that week, Mallin said.
In remarks during the closing ceremony, Phoenix City Councilman Phil Gordon expressed pleasure that AJHS purchased the site for restoration and renovation, rather than allowing developers to turn it into condominiums. Arizona's newly elected Attorney General Terry Goddard, long a supporter of historic preservation, also attended.
At the ceremony, Mallin thanked Rev. Samuel Her-nandez, the retired spiritual leader of Iglesia Bautista, the Mexican Baptist Church that sold the site to AJHS. Hernandez worked closely with Morton and Rabbi Albert Plotkin, rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Israel, to return the site to the Jewish community, Mallin explained.
On the morning of the fair, AJHS received flowers from its new next-door neighbor, Dr. Stephen Wayles, minister of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. An accompanying note "welcomed us back to the neighborhood, it encouraged our friendship, and he reminded me that he worked with Rabbi Plotkin in integrating the schools in Phoenix," Mallin said.
Rabbi Laibel Blotner of Chabad of Phoenix recited a psalm and Rabbi Alan Berlin of Temple Solel led the group in the Shehecheyanu prayer, which expresses thanks for reaching a particular moment in life.
On display in the sanctuary was an exhibit, assembled by Morton, that included photographs of members of the Valley's Jewish community who had served in the military, some of whom were present at the heritage fair. Mallin encouraged members of the community to send in photographs and memorabilia of Arizona Jewish history for future exhibits.
"(The fair) met every expectation and more," said chairwoman Melanie Becker. "We really were thrilled with the amount of people that came. We felt that it was really community getting together."
Reactions from fair visitors were positive.
Rabbi Zvi Holland of the Phoenix Community Kollel called the event a "tremendous opportunity for the Jewish community to get together and enjoy each other and our heritage."
Tish Dvorkin, also known as performer Loca Rosa, called the event a "happy occasion for the Jewish community." Dvorkin, the music specialist for Temple Beth Sholom in Chandler, was there with children from the temple's religious school.
"It's like the circle has come back around," she said.
"Their plans are wonderful," said Linda Rosenthal, who has lived in Phoenix since 1965 and serves on the board of the Maricopa Community Colleges. "I'm very pleased it's going to be preserved for the Jewish community."
Phyllis Anatole, a 44-year Phoenix resident, called the event "history in the making."
A capital campaign to raise funds for the renovation has just begun, Mallin said. Its leaders are Herman Lewkowitz and his father Jerry, whose parents were among the founders of Temple Beth Israel.
For more information about the Culver Street Synagogue, call AJHS, 602-241-7870.
Contact the writer at leisah_namm@jewishaz.com.