On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Arizona Jewish Historical Society will present Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall with the 2016 Heritage Award at the Musical Instrument Museum. The Heritage Award is given to individuals who have made an exceptional impact on the community through outstanding leadership, service and dedication.
Derrick has turned the Diamondbacks organization into a model franchise in the sports industry and throughout the business world. He also has put an emphasis on volunteering. In its short history, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and organization have provided $40 million in charitable giving, including more than $19 million during Derrick’s 10 years of leadership since he was named president in September 2006 (the title of CEO was added in January 2009).
In an interview with Arizona Jewish Life magazine in May 2013, Derrick said that Diamondbacks employees from the front office to players volunteer “without cameras because it’s the right thing to do. … Tikkun olam is a passion of mine and an alignment for me to baseball … Philanthropy is common in the industry, but we are near the top. From management to players, the Diamondbacks have a strong philosophy of giving back, which aligns with my Jewish upbringing.”
On a personal level, Derrick is a force in his own right. He serves on 25 boards, including the Arizona Mexico Commission, Great Hearts Academies, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, Muscular Dystrophy Association (where he also served as national vice president), National Advisory Council for Pancreatic Cancer, Make-A-Wish America, Positive Coaching Alliance and the Phoenix Thunderbirds. He is a past recipient of the 2014 Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Award and is a member of Temple Solel.
Proceeds from this gala event go towards the ongoing restoration of the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center. Originally built in 1921, this historical Phoenix landmark served as Phoenix’s first synagogue. The building also served as a sanctuary, religious school and social center for the Jewish community from 1922-1949. It later became a Chinese-speaking Baptist church and then a Spanish-speaking Baptist church. Purchased by the Arizona Jewish Historical Society in 2002, the center now serves as a museum and event venue open to people of all faiths. The center is a Phoenix Point of Pride and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Following the restoration of the building in 2009, we have sought to transform this unique historical landmark into a useful and dynamic resource for our community,” says Executive Director Larry Bell. “Since that time, we have worked to position ourselves as a leading Jewish arts and culture organization. We sponsor an array of arts and culture programs that make a significant impact on our community.” These include public art exhibitions in the gallery, a monthly documentary film series, a monthly book discussion group, genealogy classes and seminars. The Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center serves as a venue sponsor for interfaith forums organized by Arizona Interfaith Movement.
“We have also begun to organize live musical and theatre programs, including a summer music series, which was attended by some 400 people,” says Larry.
In recognition of the AJHS’s growing profile as an arts and culture organization, the organization has received grant funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, Arizona Humanities and the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.
“Our goal is to present a positive vision of Jewish identity – to Jews and non-Jews alike – through arts, culture and history education. Within our local Jewish community institutions, arts and culture is often overlooked,” Larry says. “According to most surveys, the majority of American Jews today identify as Jews through culture, rather than religion or politics. It is extremely important that we reach out and engage this portion of our population in Jewish community life. In addition, it is important for the general public to know who we are, what we believe and the ways we have contributed to the larger society around us. This is why the Arizona Jewish Historical Society is so important. There is no other organization like us in our community.”
The event includes a cocktail reception, award program and an original parody of “Damn Yankees” by members of Phoenix Theatre. People of all faiths are welcome.
2016 Heritage Award
WHAT: To benefit the Arizona Jewish Historical Society
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12
Food and cocktail reception at 5:30 pm
Award ceremony and performance at 8 pm
WHERE: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix
TICKETS: $180. Sponsorships and advertising opportunities also available.
RSVP: 602-241-7870 or azjhs.org
