Primary Resources on Jewish History in Arizona and the Southwest

The Bloom Southwest Jewish Archives were founded by David A. and Leona G. Bloom, longstanding members of Tucson’s business, religious, and social service communities. The Archive serves to highlight Jewish contributions to Tucson and surrounding southwest areas. This collection.  The materials were transferred to Special Collections in 1998.

The Bloom Southwest Jewish Archives offers several educational exhibits:

• The Pioneers exhibit presents the pioneer Jewish experience in West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona through images of photos held in regional archives and museums, electronic texts, articles, newspaper accounts, and biographical information.
• Synagogues exhibit reinforces that pioneer Jews placed a priority on maintaining their beliefs, values, and traditions amid the hazards of the nation's frontier. 
• Crypto-Jews focuses on the Crypto-Jewish experience in the U. S. Southwest (including areas of Mexico)

The Oral Histories section features transcripts of interviews with Tucson's New American community. Members were invited to participate in recording information about their lives and experiences in the former Soviet Union (and now in Tucson). By including their stories, we find similarities between the pioneers of the 19th century and those of the late 20th. These histories include the story of a 20th (and now 21st) century family whose family odyssey is traced from Europe to the eastern U.S. and then to Tucson. 

Also included:

• suggested readings
• rights and permissions
• websites related to Southwest Jewish history, Crypto-Judaic studies, and synagogues