May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to elevate the significant contributions that Jews have made to American arts, music, business, science, education, and public service. At Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, we use the intimate and heartfelt stories of Jews in our local community to proudly celebrate Jewish American Heritage every month, week, and day of the year.
At TJMHC, we have collected the stories of people like Charles Moses Strauss, the first Jewish mayor of Tucson; Rose Silver, the first female county attorney in Arizona; Rabbi Joseph Gumbiner, civil rights pioneer; and Bertie Levkowitz, child Holocaust survivor, and made the legacy of their accomplishments accessible for today’s contemporary audience.
You might be asking yourself, “Can educating the community about their neighbors really help mitigate hate and fight antisemitism?”
Yes! By talking about the history of Jews and Jewish life right here in Southern Arizona, we can absolutely combat antisemitism in Tucson today!
Hate is a by-product of fear, and fear often stems from things and people we don’t understand. But while fear is a natural, instinctive emotion, hate is most often a learned behavior shaped by factors like anger, stress, and social conditioning. By talking about the history of Jews and Jewish life right here in Southern Arizona, we introduce people to a community, a religion, and a culture that may be completely unfamiliar. This new information builds knowledge, reduces stigma, and helps combat the “othering” that leads to hate and discrimination.
This month is the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate the contribution of Jewish Americans in Southern Arizona and to rededicate ourselves to the battle against the learned behaviors of hate and antisemitism.
Knowing our community, I know that your next question is, “How can I help?”
Start by joining us at Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center to “meet” some of the amazing pioneering Jews who help us fight Jewish hatred and disinformation every day. Come over for a tour or sign up for a program and bring your friends! Become an ambassador for others by sharing these inspiring stories. You can learn more by visiting our website at www.TJMHC.org/pioneers
By living your life proudly every day, you help celebrate the diversity of your community and are a part of fulfilling the shared obligation of tikkun olam. When you share your own story and the story of other Jews in our community, you are helping to heal a broken world.
Learn more and get involved at www.tjmhc.org.
