[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 12, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUTLER-PLOTKIN JEWISH HERITAGE CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GREG STANTON

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 12, 2021

  Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a significant 
milestone that will be reached in my district on Saturday, October 30: 
the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish 
Heritage Center. It was the first synagogue built in the city of 
Phoenix and this historic place has deeply enriched our community for a 
century.
  In the spring of 1920, a group of 32 residents joined together to 
form Phoenix's first Jewish congregation, Congregation Beth Israel. The 
next year, on October 30, 1921, they broke ground and began to the lay 
the cornerstone for a place of worship, Temple Beth Israel.
  Madam Speaker, the early days for this congregation were not easy, 
particularly when you consider they had no air conditioning during the 
sweltering heat of an Arizona summer. But these individuals were united 
by their deep-rooted faith and unwavering commitment to the values of 
Judaism.
  Temple Beth Israel was a place of worship, but it was also a place 
where members of our community came together to celebrate culture, 
faith and education. It hosted meetings with members of the B'nai 
B'rith and the National Council of Jewish Women, and frequently held 
Passover Seders and special dances.
  In 1949, Congregation Beth Israel sold the property to the Southern 
Baptist Convention and the building became home to Phoenix's first 
Chinese-speaking Christian Church. In 1981, the property was sold 
again, this time to a Spanish-speaking Baptist Church. It remained 
under their care until purchased by the Jewish Historical Society in 
2002, upon which time it was bestowed its present-day name: the Cutler-
Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center.
  Today, the building serves as an important religious and cultural 
archive, housing more than 50,000 artifacts of Jewish history in 
Arizona and the Southwest United States. It also continues to host 
forums and educational events, and remains a regional nexus of the 
Jewish faith.
  I am proud to recognize the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center's 
extraordinary accomplishment and ask that my colleagues join me in 
expressing deep gratitude to the many individuals who have called this 
building home, including the late Rabbi Albert Plotkin and the Arizona 
Jewish Historical Society's Executive Director Lawrence Bell, Treasurer 
Lawrence Cutler, and Founder Jerry Lewkowitz. Mr. Lewkowitz's parents 
were original leaders of Congregation Beth Israel and fifth generation 
family members will be celebrating at this year's centennial.
  The leadership of these individuals and so many others will ensure 
the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center remains a positive influence 
in our community for years to come. Collectively, they helped make 
Phoenix the culturally rich and diverse place that it is today. Best 
wishes for the next 100 years.

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