Bertie Levkowitz, a longtime Tucson resident, Holocaust survivor. and co-founder of Tucson Hebrew Academy, has contributed to the uplifting of the local Jewish community for decades through her dedication to education.

Born in Hanover, Germany on December 23, 1854, Albert Steinfeld would eventually become known as Tucson’s Merchant Prince.

Rabbi Joseph H. Gumbiner was instrumental in the early days of the civil rights work of Southern Arizona. His work inspires the work of Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center today. 

Henry Lesinsky was a pioneer who gained immense wealth by exploiting the rich copper mines of southeastern Arizona.

Jacob S. Mansfeld was a pioneer in Tucson who founded the town’s first bookstore and strove to improve education on the frontier.

Selim Franklin, one of few individuals to have a college education in Tucson’s territorial days, played a vital role in the founding of the University of Arizona.

Alphonse Lazard was an early Jewish pioneer in Tucson who was celebrated for the establishment of Tucson’s first lumber mill as well as for his charitability.

Nathan Benjamin Appel was one of, if not the very first Jew to settle in the Arizona Territory.

Lionel and Barron Jacobs were early merchants and founders of the first bank in the city of Tucson.

William Zeckendorf was a pioneer merchant during the early territorial days who helped establish a business empire in the Southwest.

Rose Sosnowski Silver was a Jewish immigrant from Vienna, Austria, who became the second woman to graduate from the University of Arizona College of Law.

Hyman Goldberg, brother of fellow Jewish pioneer Isaac Goldberg, is believed to be one of the earliest Jewish pioneers in Southern Arizona.

Isaac Goldberg, brother of fellow Jewish pioneer Hyman Goldberg, is also believed to be one of the earliest Jewish pioneers in Southern Arizona.

Charles Moses Strauss, Tucson’s first Jewish mayor, led a life of dedication to public service in the Old Pueblo.

Alexander Levin was an early Jewish pioneer in Tucson who contributed much to the city’s development through the many institutions that he built.

Jack Newman, at one time believed to be the richest man in Arizona, made his riches through his sharp business acumen and his uncanny ability to stake out successful mining claims.

The Goldwaters established political and entrepreneurial dynasties that lasted through several generations, cementing their influence in Arizona history.

Isadore Elkan (I. E.) Solomon and Anna Freudenthal-Solomon were a pioneering Jewish couple who did much to develop the Gila River Valley. 

Samuel Drachman, brother of Philip Drachman, was a local businessman and wandering rabbi who worked to support Judaism throughout Southern Arizona.

Philip Drachman was a pioneering Jew in local business and politics who became a universally-admired figure in late 19th century Tucson.

Leo Goldschmidt was a German-Jewish immigrant who made a name for himself in Tucson as a businessman, bachelor, and amateur photographer.

Saly Eber was a German-Jewish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1876 and eventually settled in Tucson. Over sixty-four years, he acquired a reputation as both a prosperous merchant and an eclectic, cigar-smoking local.

Clara Ferrin-Bloom was a Tucson native born to immigrant parents from Frankfurt, Germany: Joseph and Therese Marx Ferrin. A lifelong Tucsonan, she strengthened the city’s community through decades of public service.