About 40 people gathered on Sunday, July 13, 2025, for the first field trip ever sponsored by the Southern Arizona Jewish Genealogical Society. The event featured a private tour of the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center led by Davya Cohen, a museum docent and SAJGS board member.
Following a viewing of a film documenting the Jewish history of Southern Arizona, Davya discussed the main exhibits, the history of the museum, and antisemitism in Tucson.
She also described some of the challenges the early Jewish pioneers faced, including finding a wife, dealing with the climate, making a living, and initially, the lack of organized Jewish activities.
Afterwards, the group listened to a presentation by Andrew Schot, a 94-year-old Dutch Holocaust survivor. He shared his personal story of hiding in farmlands with his sister and surviving by stealing duck eggs and vegetables. Subsequently, when he was just 13 years old, he was taken to a concentration camp, and he described the cruelty and horrific conditions he was forced to endure.
Although I have seen newsreels and movies and read books and articles documenting the persecution and murder of Jews by the Nazis, this was my first time hearing an in-person, personal story by a survivor. Andrew was humble, had vivid memories, and a positive attitude. His courage and resilience were inspiring. He was not bitter or angry. Fortunately, his mother and sister survived the war.
For more information about the Southern Arizona Jewish Genealogical Society, go to our Facebook page or www.SAJGS.org.
Howard Toff is the treasurer of the Southern Arizona Jewish Genealogical Society.
