The Arizona post. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz.) 1946-1990, 1953-07-03

ert, whose climate is so much like
Palestine's, they lit the Menorah
and sang "Hanukkah, oh, Hanuk-
kah!" They listened while Uncle
Sam Drachman or gentle Mrs.
Ferrin told them the story of the
Maccabean brothers. -"
In addition to Worshipping in
private homes, the struggling lit
tie group, forerunner of the large
and growing Jewish community
of today, met in a room in Sam
Katzenstein's Cosmopolitan Hotel,
or later, in the building where the
Masons met. However, it became
evident that the Jewish people
in Tucson wanted more than such
uncertainty; they told each other
that what was needed was a per-
manent place to worship. They
decided to get busy and build a
synagogue. Mrs. Ferrin, Sam
Drachman, Max Lisitzky and 9th
ers called a meeting and formed
the first synagogue in Arizona
Territory. 1t was the Temple
Emanuel, and was organized as
the Hebrew Benevolent Society in
January, 1910 Ignas S. Fried do
mated a lot on Stone Ave. and in
June, 1910, the cornerstone was
laid. The Grand Lodge of the Ari-
IONA Masons conducted the cere-
mony. Thus, was established the
first, firm foundation for Judaism
in Tucson. 1t is one of Max and
Mollie Lisitzky's fondest memoir
les, one they cherish with right
full pride.
The story of Tucson's growth,
the Jewish community along with
it, is familiar to anyone who has
lived here during the past decade.
Yet it's something, Mr.. and Mrs.
Lisitzky - she affectionately re-
fers to him as "Mr. L."-continue
to marvel at even with AT years
of residence here. Now in their
58th year of happy partnership
they brought two youngsters of
10 and 7 with them in 1906. The
girl, Genevieve, who is married
and lives in New York, is the old
est, and will, incidentally, visit
her folks next week. Fred, the
older boy, is also married, and
lives in TIOlbrook, where he man.
ages a store. George, the young
est, is professor of music in Ok
ford, Ohio. There are three grand
children, and whenever GRANDPA
Their and grandmother can get to
see them, it kindles a light in
their eyes as only grandparents
can possess.
Matter of fact, said Mrs. List
ky, with a chuckle: eve took an
airplane trip back east several
years ago. 1t was the first time,
and we enjoyed every minute of
it. Even have the desire to go
again"
A lifetime of service to the Jew
ish community for "Mr. L." in
cludes the presidency of the Tenn
pie twice and membership in Bnai
Birth. But his greatest achieve
ment occurred several years ago
when he contributed a stable
sum and several lots for the cree
ton of the 1illel house for young
people. How did it come about?
'Well," said the Jewish benefac-
tor slowly, II felt there was a
need for place for young people
to come together. I passed by
and saw the lots and thought it
would be a good place" A short
time later, the idea of this
thoughtful man became a reality
one that has brought many hours
of enjoyment and constructive ac-
tivity to the youth of Tucson, par
ticularly at the University.
Now in the soft twilight of a
long and happy lifetime, during
which they have endured misfor-
tune, but found a new life in an
other place, and with it raised a
fine family and helped build the
substantial and prosperous COM
munity around them, Max and
Mollie LisitZky recognize they
have come a long way since they
stood on the edge of San Francis
m o~I ,o,,y1,I,1xy watched fhpir