Jewish Families of Southern Arizona & Memories of Tucson's Brandes School

Yahm Levin is the Arizona Collection and Reading Arizona Librarian at the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records. While studying Arizona during its early days as a territory, Yahm delved deeper into the robust history of Jewish people in southern Arizona. When and why did Jewish people settle in Tucson and its surrounding communities? Who were the main 'players' in town? And, what exists today from those early settlers?

Learn about prominent Jewish families in Territorial Southern Arizona and their contributions to Arizona history. Attendees will also learn about the many resources available at the State of Arizona Research Library.

Included among some of the prominent Jewish people were Raphael 'Ray' Brandes and his wife, Elsie. The two were early leaders of Tucson's Jewish community, and in 1939 founded the Brandes School, a boarding school for children with asthma and other respiratory diseases. Joan Reichard, a previous student at the school, will share some of her favorite memories.

Free | Register at dfla.org | Questions, please call 480-488-2286.