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March 25, 2005/Adar II 14 5765, Volume 57, No. 30
Time capsule
A legend in his time
IRA MORTON
Special to Jewish News
Since the early part of the 20th century, Jews have made significant contributions to the growth and development of Arizona and the city of Phoenix. One man stands out for his selfless public service, involvement in charitable causes, business leadership, political influence, widespread philanthropy and dedication to the establishment of a vibrant Jewish community. His name: Harry Rosenzweig.
Harry was born in Phoenix to Isaac and Rosa Rosenzweig, in 1907. His Austrian-born father immigrated to the city in 1896 when Arizona was still a territory and opened a family jewelry store. Rosenzweig Jewelers grew to become one of the city's leading retail establishments.
Isaac Rosenzweig was one of the first benefactors of the Red Cross and Community Chest, later to be called the United Way. He was also one of the leaders in the early Phoenix Jewish community. In 1920, he and department store owner Charles Korrick financed the building of the first synagogue in Phoenix. Located on Culver Street, the site is now the home of the CutlerAPlotkin Jewish Heritage Center.
Harry looked upon his father as a role model. From the '30s through the '70s, he was deeply involved with and held office in just about every important organization in town. A partial list includes: the Urban League, Maricopa County Heart Drive and Unit of the American Cancer Society, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Historical Foundation, Arizona Retailers Association, Phoenix Fine Arts Association, Roosevelt Council Boy Scouts, Barrow Neurological Institute, Better Business Bureau of Maricopa County and Arizona State University College of Business.
A charter member of the charter government committee, Harry served on the Phoenix City Council with his close friend Barry Goldwater from 1952-54 and later became Arizona's Republican state chairman, a position he held for 10 years.
In the summer of 1964, Goldwater was the main speaker at a dinner held at the Arizona Biltmore honoring Harry Rosenzweig as "Man of the Year" for the City of Hope. The senator interrupted his campaign for president to attend. In his best-selling autobiography, Goldwater mentions his "lifelong pal" on 10 separate occasions.
In 1974, Rosenzweig was the recipient of the Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League and in 1975 was named "Man of the Year" by both the Boy's Club of Phoenix and the Phoenix Advertising Club. Harry's older brother, Newton, received the Ad Club Award 11 years earlier for his active involvement and philanthropy on behalf of the arts.
What set Harry apart from most Jewish civic leaders was his devotion to the Jewish community. He served as president of Temple Beth Israel and the Jewish Committee Council, chairman of United Jewish Appeal and the United Welfare Fund and was a board member of Hebrew Union College. His financial contributions to charitable causes were enormous and unending. If there was money to be raised, he was first on everyone's contact list.
Harry Rosenzweig was a legend in his time, not just for his leadership and accomplishments, but for his humanity as well. He was truly a mensch. When he died in 1993, he left a legacy in the state of Arizona, the city of Phoenix and the Jewish community that will be forever honored and remembered.
Preserving the memories and recording the accomplishments of those who have come before us and those now in our midst is the sacred mission of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society. Call 602-241-7870 or visit www.azjhs.org.
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