In 1947, the Jewish community of Southern Arizona was organized to help sustain and improve the lives of people in Southern Arizona, Israel and around the world, initially through the efforts of the Tucson Jewish Community Council. As Tucson and its environs expanded, so did the work of the Council, aligning with the Jewish Federation of North America and becoming known as the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona (JFSA).
In 1989, separate “Beneficiary Agencies” were established to provide direct services to members of our community, while preserving the core activities of JFSA as the “central address” for the Jewish community. JFSA remained focused on conducting the Annual Campaign to assist in funding the Beneficiary Agencies and serving as the convener, planner and spokesperson for the Jewish community. During this period, the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona (JCF) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) were established.
In 2022, the Jewish community of Southern Arizona began a new chapter when JFSA and JCF were brought under the auspices of Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA). JPSA builds on the Jewish community’s 75-year history, serving as the coordinating body for fundraising, philanthropy, planning, and communal services. This new structure provides increased efficiency, collaboration, resource-sharing, and community building, while maintaining the distinct roles of the Federation and Foundation.
To learn more about the history of Tucson’s Jewish community, visit us and explore We Stand on Their Shoulders, an exhibit that celebrates the individuals who played a critical role in the creation of our community from 1930s to the present.
Click here to view Tucson JEWCOPEDIA, an online compilation of the individuals who have participated in building our vibrant Jewish community in Southern Arizona.
JPSA’s Board of Trustees serves as a governance body for both the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona. Its creation was approved at the Annual Meeting on May 13, 2021.
Jeff Artzi, Chair
Susan Jacobson
Lisa Lovallo
Isaac Rothschild
Ben Silverman, Secretary/Treasurer
Liz Kanter Groskind, Immediate Past Chair
Andrew Comrie
Julie Feldman
Elizabeth Friman
Danny Gasch
Leah Geistfeld
Ron Grant
Anne Hameroff
Andy Kunsberg
Emily Lazarus
Jacob Meyer
Donna Moser
Stephen Rodgveller
Steve Rosenberg
Aaron Rottenstein
Scott Sheftel
Sarah Singer
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