Congregation Beth Israel
A Reform Jewish congregation whose historic Downtown Phoenix synagogue, built in 1921–1922, now operates as a vibrant cultural and historical museum.
At a glance
Congregation Beth Israel was incorporated in 1920 and affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism in 1935. The congregation relocated to its current Scottsdale location after its original Downtown Phoenix building was sold in 1949. As of 2018, it remained the oldest synagogue in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
History
Rabbi Abraham Lincoln Krohn led Beth Israel from 1938 to 1953, transforming it from a small community of fewer than 100 member families to nearly 600. Albert Plotkin succeeded him, serving for almost four decades and leaving an indelible mark on the congregation’s identity.
The congregation’s original Downtown Phoenix building stood vacant after 1949, housing various churches for more than fifty years. In 2002, the Jewish community repurchased the structure. The Arizona Jewish Historical Society launched a $4 million restoration campaign in 2007, culminating in the opening of the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center in 2008.
What you see
Beth Israel’s original sanctuary, constructed in 1921–1922, is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and Phoenix’s historic property register. The building reflects the architectural heritage of early twentieth-century Jewish institutional design in the American Southwest.
Cultural significance
The Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center documents and celebrates the history of Judaism in Arizona and the broader southwestern United States. The restored building serves both as a museum and as a testament to the region’s Jewish community and its perseverance across generations.
Key facts
- Founded: 1920 (incorporated); 1935 (Reform Judaism affiliation)
- Location: 10460 North 56th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Original building: Downtown Phoenix, 1921–1922
- Coordinates: 33.731364, −111.960606
- Historic designations: National Register of Historic Places; Phoenix historic property register
- Heritage center opened: 2008
Practical information & getting there
Congregation Beth Israel is located at 10460 North 56th Street in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, housed in the restored Downtown Phoenix sanctuary, welcomes visitors interested in Arizona’s Jewish history. For current hours, exhibitions, and visiting information, contact the congregation directly or visit their website.
Sources & resources
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