The first Jews to arrive in the Arizona territory were conversos who came with Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century. The Eastern-European influx began in the mid-1800s, and the communities soon began gathering for holiday services, weddings and funerals.
Michael Wormser, a French Jew, began acquiring land in the Valley around 1863. He later opened stores, first in Prescott and then in Phoenix. Upon his death, he left property to Temple Beth Israel to establish the first Jewish cemetery in the Valley.
Built in Tucson in 1910, Temple Emanu-El was the first synagogue in the Arizona Territory. The pioneer Jewish women’s organization, then called the Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society, began the fundraising effort in March of 1886 to build the first permanent Jewish house of worship. The temple opened on Rosh Hashanah Eve, Oct. 3, 1910. Today, the building houses the Jewish History Museum.
The first permanent Jewish congregation in the Phoenix area, Congregation Beth Israel, was housed in the building that the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center now occupies. On April 8, 1920, a group of 38 Jewish residents came together to form the congregation, and on Oct. 30, 1921, residents gathered with Phoenix Mayor Willis H. Plunkett to lay the cornerstone for the site.
In the years since those early days, congregations have multiplied, grown and evolved to meet the ever-changing spiritual, lifecycle and communal needs of an increasingly dispersed and diverse population.
FLAGSTAFF
CHABAD
CHABAD OF FLAGSTAFF
930 W. University Ave., Flagstaff
928-255-5756
jewishflagstaff.com
REFORM
CONGREGATION LEV SHALOM
2609 N. Patterson Blvd., Flagstaff
Mail: PO Box 31058, Flagstaff
928-527-8747
levshalomaz.org
LAKE HAVASU CITY
REFORM
TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM JEWISH CONGREGATION
116 N. Acoma Blvd., Lake Havasu City
Mail: PO Box 812, Lake Havasu City
928-680-0017
tbshavasu.com
PRESCOTT
CHABAD
CHABAD OF PRESCOTT
345 N. Washington Ave., Prescott
928-362-8924
jewishprescott.org
REFORM
TEMPLE B’RITH SHALOM
2077 Brohner Way, Prescott
928-708-0018
brithshalom-az.org
SEDONA
INDEPENDENT
JEWISH COMMUNITY OF SEDONA AND THE VERDE VALLEY
100 Meadow Lark Dr., Sedona
Mail: PO Box 13, Sedona
928-204-1286
jcsvv.org
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
CHABAD
CHABAD SIERRA VISTA
228 W. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista
Mail: 401 Suffolk Dr., Sierra Vista
520-820-6256
jewishsierravista.com
INDEPENDENT
BETH SHALOM TEMPLE CENTER
1751 N. Rio Mayo, Green Valley
Mail: PO Box 884, Green Valley
520-648-6690
bstc.us
REFORM
TEMPLE KOL HAMIDBAR
228 N. Canyon Dr., Sierra Vista
520-458-8637
templekol.com
TUCSON
CHABAD
CHABAD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
1436 E. Drachman St., Tucson
520-820-8939
chabadua.com
CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF TUCSON
2443 E. Fourth St., Tucson
Mail: 2411 E. Elm St., Tucson
520-975-4489
chabadtucson.com
CHABAD OF ORO VALLEY
1171 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. #131, Oro Valley
520-477-8672
jewishorovalley.com
CHABAD ON RIVER
3916 E. Fort Lowell Road, Tucson
520-661-9350
chabadonriver.com
CONSERVATIVE
CONGREGATION ANSHEI ISRAEL
5550 E. Fifth St., Tucson
520-745-5550
caiaz.org
CONGREGATION BET SHALOM
3881 E. River Road, Tucson
520-577-1171
cbsaz.org
CONGREGATION ESHEL AVRAHAM
522 N. Norris Ave., Tucson
520-298-6033
eshel.info
HUMANIST
SECULAR HUMANIST JEWISH CIRCLE
520-232-0226
secularhumanistjewishcircle.org
ORTHODOX
CONGREGATION CHOFETZ CHAYIM
5150 E. Fifth St., Tucson
520-747-7780
tucsontorah.org
CONGREGATION YOUNG ISRAEL
2443 E. Fourth St., Tucson
520-326-8362
chabadtucson.com
REFORM
CONGREGATION BEIT SIMCHA
2270 W. Ina Road #100, Tucson
520-276-5675
beitsimchatucson.org
CONGREGATION CHAVERIM
5901 E. Second St., Tucson
520-320-1015
chaverim.net
CONGREGATION M’KOR HAYIM
Services held at Tucson Hebrew Academy
Mail: PO Box 31806, Tucson
520-305-8208
mkorhayim.org
CONGREGATION OR CHADASH
3939 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson
520-512-8500
orchadash-tucson.org
INSTITUTE FOR JUDAIC SERVICES AND STUDIES AT SADDLEBROOKE
38759 W. Mountain View Blvd., Tucson
520-825-8175
saddlebrooke.org
TEMPLE EMANU-EL
225 N. Country Club Road, Tucson
520-327-4501
tetucson.org
RENEWAL
CONGREGATION KOL SIMCHAH
4625 E. River Road, Tucson
520-296-0818
THE VALLEY
CHABAD
CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF ARIZONA
2110 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix
602-944-2753
chabadaz.com
CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
16830 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills
480-795-6292
jewishfountainhills.com
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER
Anthem
623-349-1770
jewishanthem.com
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF GILBERT
4475 E. Carriage Way, Gilbert
480-269-6680
jewishgilbert.com
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF GOODYEAR
14555 W. Indian School Road #400B, Goodyear
623-466-6110
jewishgoodyear.com
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF MESA
941 S. Maple, Mesa
480-659-7001
chabadmesa.com
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF SOUTH PHOENIX
2030 W. Baseline Road, Phoenix
602-935-4438
jewishsouthphoenix.com
CHABAD OF DOWNTOWN
Mail: 2110 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix
602-492-5559
jewishdowntownphoenix.com
CHABAD OF NORTH PHOENIX
22044 N. 44th St. #100, Phoenix
480-442-8672
ourjewishcenter.com
CHABAD OF PARADISE VALLEY
Mockingbird and Lincoln, Paradise Valley
Mail: 10645 N. Tatum Blvd. #C200, Box #291, Phoenix
480-788-9310
jewishparadisevalley.com
CHABAD OF SCOTTSDALE
Yossi Levertov, Rabbi
Chaya Levertov, Chabad C Teen Program
Rabbi Mendel Vaisfiche, Community Outreach
10215 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ
480-998-1410
chabadofscottsdale.org
chabadscottsdale@gmail.com
Chabad of Scottsdale provides synagogue services, spiritual guidance, community outreach and education to inspire all Jews to discover their common bond of Jewish faith and observance that connect us to our past, present and future. We encourage positive action on the part of each Jew and offer educational programs to all Jewish organizations, synagogues and groups to increase Jewish knowledge and observance. We offer daily services, classes, youth programs, Hebrew school, Jewish Women’s Circle, Men’s Club, Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs and holiday events.
CHABAD OF THE EAST VALLEY
875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler
480-855-4333
chabadcenter.com
CHABAD OF THE WEST VALLEY
Mail: 7942 W. Bell Road, C5 #101, Glendale
623-252-1759
ichabad.org
ROHR CHABAD AT ASU
971 S. Ash Ave., Tempe
480-736-8672
jewishasu.com
CONSERVATIVE
BETH EL CONGREGATION
A. Nitzan Stein Kokin, Rabbi
Jonathan Angress, Cantor
Gregory Harris, President
Alicia Moskowitz, Executive Director
1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix
602-944-3359
bethelphoenix.com
info@bethelphoenix.com
Warm and welcoming egalitarian, Masorti/Conservative congregation located in Central Phoenix. Twice-daily minyan, First Things First Preschool, Talmud Torah, Adult Education, Social Action, Kadima/USY youth groups, social and cultural programming for all ages, Gift Shop and Women’s League.
BETH EMETH CONGREGATION OF THE WEST VALLEY
13702 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West
623-584-7210
bethemethaz.org
CONGREGATION OR TZION
Nicky Spivak, Executive Director
Dannah Rubinstein, Cantor
Zari Sussman, Associate Rabbi/Director of Lifelong Learning and Engagement
16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale
480-342-8858
congregationortzion.org
ortzion@congregationortzion.org
Congregation Or Tzion is a Conservative, multigenerational, participatory, family-friendly Synagogue in the North Phoenix/North Scottsdale area. We are affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and pride ourselves on offering compelling programming, innovative learning opportunities and spiritual prayer services for all ages. Our doors are open to all who wish to join our kehillah kedosha – our holy community.
TEMPLE BETH EMETH OF SCOTTSDALE
8250 E. Rose Lane, Scottsdale
Mailing: PO Box 2831, Scottsdale
480-941-4112
tbescottsdale.org
TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM OF THE EAST VALLEY
Rabbi Herschel “Brodie” Aberson, Rabbi
Michele Millman, Office Manager
Dennis Aust, President
3400 N. Dobson Road, Chandler
480-897-3636
tbsev.org
info@tbsev.org
A contemporary-traditional egalitarian synagogue that is affiliated with the USCJ. In existence for 70 years, we offer a friendly, warm and supportive environment. We boast a vibrant religious school, award-winning youth groups (Kadima and USY) and an outstanding year-round adult education program. The Religious School offers an education program for children from Pre-K through 8th grade and transitions them to Hebrew High. We have a strong Sisterhood and Men’s club; services are held every Friday evening, Saturday morning, High Holidays and many other holidays.
HUMANIST
OR ADAM CONGREGATION FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM
Holidays: Arizona Jewish Historical Society, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix
Shabbats: Pueblo Norte Auditorium, 7090 E. Mescal St, Scottsdale
Mail: 14747 N. Northside Blvd. #111-437, Scottsdale
480-865-4710
oradam.com
INDEPENDENT
CONGREGATION KEHILLAH
5858 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek
602-369-7667
congregationkehillah.org
CONGREGATION NEFESHSOUL
Valley Unitarian Universalist Campus, 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler
Mail: PO Box 51591, Phoenix
nefeshsoul.com
CONGREGATION SHOMREI TORAH
4927 E. Evans Dr., Scottsdale
602-320-3369
congregationshomreitorah.com
THE NEW SHUL
7825 E. Paradise Lane, Scottsdale
480-515-2272
thenewshul.org
ORTHODOX
AHAVAS TORAH: THE SCOTTSDALE TORAH CENTER
13402 N. Scottsdale Road #B140-150, Scottsdale
480-467-4593
ahavastorah.org
BETH JOSEPH CONGREGATION
515 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix
602-277-8858
phoenixbethjoseph.org
CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH
Pinchas Allouche, Rabbi
6529 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
480-223-9343
cbtaz.org
info@bethtefillahaz.org
Congregation Beth Tefillah is a welcoming, vibrant synagogue where you are sure to feel at home. The largest Orthodox Synagogue built in the Southwest, our name is an expression of our primary objective: to serve as a “house of prayer” and a spiritual lighthouse to every Jewish man, woman and child, regardless of background, affiliation or level of observance. Join us for holidays, Shabbat services and daily Shacharit services. Children’s educational programming including Limudim, providing Hebrew and Jewish curriculum on Sundays, and Nefesh after school studies for grades K-5.
CONGREGATION TORAT EMET
526 E. Tuckey Lane, Phoenix
602-418-7689
KEHILLAS HATURIM/YESHIVAS HATURIM
522 E. Glendale Ave., Phoenix
602-345-1179
haturim.com
OHR HATORAH CONGREGATION
6655 N. Seventh St., Phoenix
480-359-5572
ohrhatorahphoenix.org
SHAAREI TZEDEK CONGREGATION
Beth El campus, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix
Mail: 7608 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix
602-944-1133
YOUNG ISRAEL OF PHOENIX
6232 N. Seventh St. #107, Phoenix
602-265-8888
yiphoenix.org
REFORM
BETH AMI TEMPLE
Allison Lawton, Rabbi
Michael Robbins, Cantorial Soloist
Bobbi Lazarus, Administrator
3535 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley
Mail: 3104 E. Camelback Road #508, Phoenix
602-956-0805
bethamitemple.org
bethamitemple@hotmail.com
An active ADULT congregation for couples, singles and empty-nesters seeking spiritual and social connections with their Jewish roots. Established in 1978, we are a centrally located Reform(URJ) Temple with modest dues and no building fund. High Holiday and Friday night services followed by an Oneg. Something for everyone with many social clubs such as cultural events, hiking, tennis, mahjong, book reviews, movies, travel, bridge, dining, and Sunday brunch; plus Torah Study, concerts, speakers and community involvement.
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale
480-951-0323
cbiaz.org
CONGREGATION MERKAZ HA-IYR
12861 N. Eighth Ave., Phoenix
480-414-5213
congregationmerkaz.org
DESERT FOOTHILLS JEWISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Mail: PO Box 25068, Scottsdale
480-297-8955
dfjca.org
MAKOR SYNAGOGUE
Scottsdale
480-382-3358</em
mymakor.org
NORTH VALLEY JEWISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
39506 N. Daisy Mountain Dr. #122-198, Anthem
623-256-0658
nvjca.org
SUN LAKES JEWISH CONGREGATION
9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. N., Sun Lakes
sljc.org
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM AND JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE WEST VALLEY
12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City
623-977-3240
tbsaz.org
TEMPLE CHAI
4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix
602-971-1234
templechai.com
TEMPLE EMANUEL OF TEMPE
Rabbi Dean Shapiro, Rabbi
5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe
480-838-1414
emanueloftempe.org
Temple Emanuel of Tempe is a welcoming oasis for all who embrace Jewish values and want to nourish their lives with wisdom, justice and loving kindness. We are connecting our Jewish community and building a better world together.
TEMPLE KOL AMI
Jeremy Schneider, Rabbi
Emily Kaye, Cantorial Soloist
Nancy Drapin, Executive Director
15030 N. 64th St., Scottsdale
480-951-9660
templekolami.org
tkaoffice@templekolami.org
We are a relationship-centric Reform Jewish community that honors tradition while embracing innovation. We see ourselves as a force for good, “doing Jewish” across the Valley via unique social action programs. There’s something for everyone at Temple Kol Ami: an outstanding Early Childhood Center, a religious school kids love to attend, online Hebrew lessons, Boomer groups, Under the Red Tent intergenerational women’s group and many more meaningful opportunities for education, volunteerism, spiritual growth and fun.
TEMPLE SOLEL
6805 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley
480-991-7414
templesolel.org
RENEWAL
RUACH HAMIDBAR – SPIRIT OF THE DESERT
Various locations
602-321-3336
ruach.org
BUKHARIAN
AHAVAT ISRAEL
727 E. Glendale Ave., Phoenix
480-420-4540
ahavatisraelaz.com
SEPHARDIC
AVDE TORAH JAYAH/ACJA
Mail: 1900 W. Chandler Blvd., #15355, Chandler
602-518-0229
cryptojew.org
YUMA
REFORM
CONGREGATION BETH HAMIDBAR
PO Box 5634, Yuma
928-210-8368
bethhamidbar.org
RABBINIC BOARDS & ERUVIM
CHANDLER ERUV PROJECT
(East Valley)
480-855-4333
chabadcenter.com
GREATER PHOENIX BOARD OF RABBIS
boardofrabbisphoenix.org
PHOENIX COMMUNITY ERUV
(North Central Phoenix)
602-264-3788
TUCSON BOARD OF RABBIS
520-327-4501
tbor.homestead.com
VALLEY ERUV PROJECT
(Paradise Valley, North Phoenix, Scottsdale)
480-630-9596
arizonaeruv.org
