Founded in 1967, The Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum of Temple Beth Israel has grown to be one of the southwest’s important institutions of education in the Jewish heritage.

Through the inspiration of Rabbi and Sylvia Plotkin , a Judaica Museum was created in the new Cultural Wing of the Temple. Sylvia Plotkin, with a background in arts and Judaica, was named Director of the new museum. In 1985, the museum was renamed the Plotkin Judaica Museum.

In April, 1996, the Temple Board voted to rename the museum the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum in honor of Sylvia Plotkin’s years of service and devotion to the museum. Upon her death, in 1996, the Museum lost her unique dedication, but her goals have not been forgotten. Museum staff and volunteers, under the guidance and expertise of Museum Director, Pamela S. Levin, continue to fulfill the original vision.

The museum relocated in 1997 when Temple Beth Israel moved to 56th Street and Shea Blvd. As part of the Silverman Cultural Arts Center, the Museum, along with the Library serves as a unique addition to the cultural center of the area. The associate director, Pamela Levin, was named as the new director.

Great strides and accomplishments have taken place since the Museum’s inception. One of the first exhibits at the fledgling museum, a Passover Exhibition, displayed Judaica borrowed from the local Jewish community. Today, the Museum’s Permanent Collection of Judaica houses over 1,000 artifacts from around the world. The current display, featuring the themes of Torah, Holidays, and Life Cycle Events, is used as vivid examples of both the sameness of Jewish life across cultures as well as the adaptability of Jewish life in varied cultures. Many groups of the greater Phoenix community regularly tour the Museum.

The permanent Tunisian Legacy Exhibit includes a reconstructed composite synagogue of Tunis, off the coast of North Africa. The synagogue with its graceful arches and beautiful mosaic tiles includes authentic artifacts donated by members of the Tunisian Jewish community. Color photographs of the “Jews of Djerba” give visitors a glimpse into Jewish life in Tunisia today.

The interactive exhibit, the Western Wall, is a to-scale replica of part of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Visitors are invited to leave a message in the cracks between the stones, as is done at the original site. In addition, the Biblical Garden, accessible year round, features numerous plants mentioned in the bible.

Throughout the year, the Museum is host to many special exhibitions presenting a vast range of historical, cultural, and literary topics through art, sculpture and photography.

The Gallerie Judaica carries unique Judaic art and ceremonial objects created by contemporary artists. These art works are available for purchase.