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November 13, 1998/ 24 Cheshvan 5759, Vol. 51, No. 8
Spanning generationsHistorical society to honor family with long, strong ties to the ValleyDANE D'ANTUONO
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 The multi-generational Ziskin family, headed by longtime Valley residents Hadassah and Harold Ziskin (center), will be honored at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society's annual dinner and fund-raiser on Dec. 12. Photo courtesy of Arizona Jewish Historical Society |
The 12-member family will be presented with the Dorothy Pickelner Enduring Legacy Award at AJHS's annual dinner and fund-raiser, starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Radisson Resort in Scottsdale. This year's event, which carries the theme "Generations: Our Arizona Jewish Family," will be emceed by Mark Curtis, sports anchor for KPNX-TV (Channel 12).
"Pioneer Jews of Arizona formed an important thread in the rich tapestry and development of the Southwest at every level and endeavor in life," says Beryl Morton, executive director of the historical society. "And those multi-generational families continue to do so."
Pickelner, the award's namesake, put in five decades of exemplary Jewish community service, including holding positions with the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and as a longtime board member of the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum and the historical society, since she came to the state with her husband in 1947.
 The historical society's traveling exhibit, "The Way We Were," also includes these photos of the Smith family (circa 1947). Historical society members say Pickelner's work set the standards high. Photo courtesy of Arizona Jewish Historical Society
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That basically means that the recipients help to enrich and ensure a better Jewish community now and in the future, says Finkelstein.
Harold and Hadassah Ziskin moved to Phoenix from Chicago in 1961 with three small children. He was a chemist and she a psychologist.
Once here, they completely changed careers and opened a prosperous Midas Muffler franchise while maintaining their life-long commitment to Zionism.
"It's a legacy that came down from our parents to us, from us to our children, and hopefully to our grandchildren," Hadassah says.
Both have taken on community leadership roles over the years. Harold was a 10-year board member at Beth El Congregation and served on boards of ASU's Hillel and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. But his wife says his most enjoyable commitment was being an "uncle" or associate leader on 12 federation interfaith Missions to Israel.
Hadassah Ziskin, among many achievements, served as president of the Phoenix chapter of Hadassah. Both of the Ziskins are still going strong, and their children are active in the community as well.
Since its inception in 1981, the historical society's mission has focused on the preservation and enhancement of Jewish life in the community. Stories, photographs, documents and memorabilia have been archived. And the organization's archives are growing. To raise funds, the society will hold a silent auction featuring sterling silver tea sets, golf rounds, jewelry store certificates, steam boat cruises and more.
In addition, guests will have an opportunity to reminisce with guest speakers Bob Goldwater and Susan Goldwater about the life of the late former Sen. Barry Goldwater and the family's memories of Arizona's frontier days. Bob is Barry Goldwater's brother and Susan is his widow.
Running along the multi-generational theme, the society will display its "The Way We Were" traveling exhibition, which is based on oral histories accompanied by photographs of long-time members of the community.
"The whole purpose is not to forget the past," says Morton. "We have very deep roots. There is Jewish involvement in every facet of Arizona life, which branches out beyond the Jewish community."
Many of the early settlers arrived and found a barren desert.
"It was like a wilderness," says 89-year-old Jeanette Lantin about the environment her mother-in-law's parents encountered. Her mother-in-law was Lillie Solomon.
Lillie was born into one of the community's oldest families. Her parents, Isadore and Anna Solomon, came from Europe to Arizona in the late 1800s.
"It's known that she once said she was afraid she wouldn't get here alive because she was frightened by the Indians," says Linda Lantin, their great-granddaughter.
Isadore eventually opened a country store in the upper Gila Valley. The store contained the only safe in the area, so all the farmers and miners asked him to store their money. This inspired Isadore, also known as I.E. Solomon, to open a bank in the back of the store, called the Gila Valley Bank. That bank later became the better-known Valley National Bank, later acquired by Bank One. The family also founded Solomonville, now known as Solomon, in Graham County east of Safford. Other family members included Jacob Weinberger, a signer of the Arizona State Constitution.
When looking back on his family's history, Linda's son Todd Ely, 25, says "I have a very great deal of respect and admiration for pioneers because they were willing to look for new and greater opportunities in the West.
"My Solomon ancestors demonstrated they were strong believers by maintaining their Jewish identity under challenging circumstances," Ely adds.
The historical society's gala event is open to the public. For ticket prices and other information, call AJHS at 241-7870.