History of Jewish Tucson

By Judy Waldman

Tucson, Arizona is affectionately known as The Old Pueblo, the “Old City.” When one thinks of Tucson, one might visualize spectacular sunsets, saguaro cacti, cowboys, and Rabbis.  Yes, Tucson has a plethora of Rabbis!

Tucson was originally founded as a Spanish military fort in 1777. Tucson became famous as a stagecoach stop in the late 1800s and later became a destination for WWI soldiers needing the dry climate to recuperate from lung damage created by the gasses of war. Arizona became a state in 1912, but the first synagogue was established in 1910 when Arizona was still a Territory.  The original Jewish founding families were primarily merchants, but the Jewish community’s population grew from a statewide count of fifty in the 1850s to an approximate 30,000 living in Tucson today.

In addition to the abundance of rabbinic leadership, Tucson is now proud to claim that this oasis in the desert also has a Torah Learning Center. With the kollel concept as a foundation, and with a goal of highlighting Jewish education, six rabbinic families recently moved to Tucson. The Rabbis bring with them not only the Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva education, but also the philosophy that mandates kiruv, helping the community connect to their Jewish roots and identity.  

The six Rabbonim were all learning at the Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim when a delegation from Tucson, including kollel founder David Cutler, contacted the Rosh HaYeshiva inquiring as to bringing a group of Rabbeim to Tucson.  After preliminary visits from some of the families, the community got an enthusiastic “Yes!”

Chofetz Chaim has a history of helping communities grow in their Jewish education and identity. Mr. Cutler’s generous support and the generosity of other loyalists were the impetus for establishing a Chofetz Chaim Kollel in Tucson. Each of the TTC Rabbis brings their own background and experience to the community. The Rosh Kollel is Rabbi Yeshaya Levin. Having been raised in Seattle makes Rabbi Levin the closest to “home-grown.”  Rebbitzen Rivky Levin is originally from Rochester, NY and is the Preschool Director.

The Preschool Director has a program currently serving the Kollel families’ children, and is looking forward to plans for continued growth. Rebbitzen Sarah Heisler, whose husband Rabbi Aharon Dovid is the Executive Director of the Tucson Torah Center, comes from Wisconsin and brings her M.Ed background to serve as first grade teacher, as well as being a community events organizer.

Rabbi Yehuda Palgon hails from Miami Beach and is the official Director of Outreach, although being an educator is a family trait in that his father Rabbi Ephraim Palgon is Head of School at Yeshiva Toras Emes in Miami.  Rebbitzen Tehilla Palgon is a CPA and comes from Manalapan, NJ where her parents were the Rabbi and Rebbitzen in their community.

Rabbis Yehuda Leiter, Josh Levy, and Tzvi Aryeh Rennert are TTC scholars involved with the daily programming, teaching, and outreach activities. Their wives are Rebbitzens Rochie Leiter, an accomplished social worker; Avigail Levy, a first grade teacher and speech therapist; and Tsirel Rennert is an actuary and published author.

As if to confirm that Tucson is gifted with a team of energetic, enthusiastic, and uber-qualified educators, the Tucson Torah Center team has a long list of accomplishments to their credit already in the short few months since the six families (with 18 children in tow) made Tucson their new home.

The Tucson Torah Center set a goal of helping the good yidden of Tucson to better connect with their Judaism and to organically grow the Jewish culture in the community. The overall mantra is to teach by example. By showing that a good Jew helps his fellow man, provides education and support, and offers fun and enticing ways to learn more about Judaism, all based on a Torah life-style, is the objective of these transplanted Rabbis and their families.

Programs that have already proven successful show that Tucson was ready for the Torah Center concept. The Tucson Torah Center WhatsApp chat group has 80 participants.  That’s a lot of Tucsonans checking in to learn about the current activities.  Special events like the BBQ Meet & Greet attracted one hundred locals!

There are the regular daily events such as morning minyan which has an average of about fifteen attendees. It is interesting that the ten men comprising the minyan varies from week to week. So the Shacharis minyan is a good way to fulfill the mitzvah of saying morning prayers and is an easy way to meet friends.  There is afternoon davening for Mincha, but before the communal prayers is a Mussar class, an opportunity to learn about midos, character development, chavrusa-style, in a one-on-one setting. The Thursday night Mishmar class usually draws about 20 attendees anxious to discuss hot topics such as Jewish warfare, hostage taking, and Judaism’s view of worldly events.  Sunday morning offers Bagels, Bites, and Beyond and discusses highlights of the upcoming parsha while having the stereotypical Sunday breakfast, as well as discussing upcoming holidays. Sunday night presents Chill Zone, which is a fun filled activity night held at the Tucson Jewish Community Center for kids and teenagers. The festivities include an evening filled with fun, gifts, and prerequisite pizza.

The Rebbitzens are also hosting successful events. The challah bakes have produced large turnouts as have the pizza baking and holiday events.

Shabbos is the highlight of the week: davening, divrei Torah, and of course kiddush! The Tucson Torah Center offers a hospitality house for those needing a Shabbos home within walking distance to the shul. The Tucson Torah Center does have a shul of course, but the six Rabbis and Rebbitzens  are focused on their primary goal of spreading Torah in Tucson.

A symbiotic addition, the Tucson Torah Center is a place where Jews of all backgrounds are welcome – welcome to learn, hang out, meet new friends, and grow in their Jewish learning and living. Now, when one thinks of the Old City, they can connect the Old Pueblo, their local oasis in the desert, with the Old City Yerushalyim of our heritage.

For more information: https://tucsontc.org

Judy Waldman is a freelance writer who writes for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Her articles have appeared in The Jewish Press, AMI Magazine, AISH, and other Jewish publications. To contact Judy regarding motivational speaking or writing assignments, she may be reached at: jwfreelancewriter1@gmail.com