Beth Ami Temple presents Jewish Pioneers in the Valley Talk

Phoenix resident and renown local historian Dr. Larry Bell will give a lecture on “Jewish Pioneers in the Valley” on Friday, December 11, at 7:30 pm at Beth Ami Temple in Paradise Valley.

Defying stereotypes, early Jewish pioneers in Arizona were not just storeowners and bankers, but cowboys, lawmen, ranchers and entertainers. Additionally, Jewish pioneers did not just settle in Tucson and Phoenix — they landed in the smaller towns of Yuma, Prescott, Bisbee and Tombstone.

“The presentation will cover the early history of Jews in Phoenix and some of the early pioneers who established our local Jewish community,” states Dr. Bell, whose speaking engagement will take place during an abbreviated Friday night service. The event is free and open to the public.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Bell has served as the Executive Director of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society for the last nine years. He has been involved in restoring Phoenix’s first synagogue as the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, a museum and cultural center open to people of all faiths. The center now hosts a variety of programs including regular exhibitions on Jewish history, a monthly documentary film series, book discussion group, genealogy society, and community archive.

Dr. Bell is also very passionate about promoting good interfaith relations in the Valley as serves and Vice President of the Arizona Interfaith Movement.

For more information on Beth Ami Temple, visit www.bethamitemple.org. For more information on the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, visit www.azjhs.org.

DETAILS:
Date: Friday, December 11, 2015
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm, followed by light refreshments
Place: Beth Ami Temple (located inside Palo Cristi Church) — 3535 East Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Cost: Free, but kindly RSVP to (602) 956-0805 or bethamitemple@hotmail.com