Tulsa, Oklahoma

 

SHALOM Y'ALL

 

            We welcome you to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Tulsa is a metropolitan city of 350,000 people with a small but vibrant Jewish population of 2,700.  Tulsa is in the heart of the country and is located between Kansas City, which lies to the north, and Dallas, TX, which is to the south. Tulsa serves as the major shopping and medical center for a large region that is home to nearly one million people. In the early 1900's, Tulsa was known as the "Oil Capital of the World."  While Tulsa and the immediate area is no longer a primary oil producing region, the city still owes a great deal to the petroleum industry, in the area of research, management, and development. Other central economic contributors for this city are aviation and medical industries.

 

            The Tulsa Jewish community is well known locally and throughout the Jewish "world" as a caring, cohesive community, strong in its Zionist roots and outstanding in its philanthropic endeavors for Jewish needs in Tulsa, in Israel and throughout the world.

 

•           70% of our families are affiliated with a local synagogue or the Jewish Community Center, an affiliation rate which is double the national rate.

 

•           Jewish education is provided through supplementary after school programs at our major synagogues and at Heritage Academy, a Community Jewish day school, with classes from kindergarten through 5th grade.  The Institute of Adult Jewish Studies offers adult study in Hebrew, current affairs, Jewish history, theology, and cultural arts.   Tulsa has been an innovative leader in sending our children to Israel for an educational experience.  The Federation and two major synagogues subsidize 2/3 of all eligible teen trips to Israel.

 

•           Social and recreational needs are met through the Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center.  The Center reaches out to our senior citizens, families, singles and youth with a variety of programming and activities including Camp Shalom, a summer day camp.

 

•           The Jewish Retirement & Health Care Center, known as Zarrow Manor and Kaiser Health Care Center, provides for the retirement and health care needs of our senior citizens with independent living, assisted living and a 50 bed intermediate nursing care facility.

           

JEWISH FEDERATION OF TULSA

 

            The Jewish Federation of Tulsa is the umbrella agency for the Tulsa Jewish community and serves as the central organization of our Jewish community...historically rooted in centuries of tradition and adapted to the patterns and practicalities of our American society.

 

            We are the corporate body of the organized Jewish community, governed and administered by officers and a board of directors representative of the entire Jewish community and its organizations.

 

            We serve a broad range of Jewish needs -- cultural, religious, educational, family welfare, leisure, care of the aged, and interfaith relations -- at home and abroad.

            The Federation studies trends, assesses new needs, and identifies the priorities of the Jewish community.  It funds local Jewish organizations and programs, operates leadership development and recruits volunteers.

 

TULSA JEWISH UNITED FUND CAMPAIGN

 

            The annual Campaign is a way for the Jews of Tulsa to express their concerns for Jewish life here and around the world.  Campaign volunteers solicit the funds and a volunteer committee allocates the funds raised to support local and national agencies and meet the needs of Jews in Israel and throughout the world.  Special campaigns are launched when events demand an immediate response from the American Jewish community.

 

            Missions to Israel and other locations of Jewish interest are always available to increase our knowledge and awareness.

 

SHALIACH PROGRAM

 

            The Federation's community Shaliach is available to the entire community, offering assistance in the areas of Israeli culture, Israeli experiences for youth and adult, and Aliyah information.

 

The Shaliach (emissary) strengthens the connection between Israel and Tulsa and supports two leading programs:

 

1.         The partnership between the Tulsa Jewish community and the communities around the lake of Galilee in Israel.

2.         Tiberias-Tulsa sister cities project.

 

Our current shaliach is Itai Lavi.

 

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

 

            The Federation's Community Relations Committee is the instrument by which Jewish interests in public life are served.  It also serves as the expression of Jewish conscience on matters of communal concern, i.e., combating anti-Semitism, promoting Jewish-Christian relations, working with the media and public officials, and assisting in developing guidelines for the role of religion in public schools.

 

SOCIAL SERVICES

 

            Assists local families and individuals in crisis and helps transient Jews in trouble.

 

TULSA JEWISH REVIEW

 

            Publishes the Tulsa Jewish communal newspaper once a month to keep the community informed on local, national, and international events.

 

JEWISH FEDERATION FOUNDATION

 

            Makes it possible for individuals and families to provide for the changing and special future needs of our people.  Gifts to the Foundation ensure that the inevitable passage of time does not interrupt the convictions, the good deeds, and works of individuals long after they are gone.

 

FACILITIES

 

•           Synagogues

 

            Congregation B'nai Emunah  (Conservative)

            1719 S. Owasso

            Rabbi Marc Boone Fitzerman

 

            Temple Israel  (Reform)

            2004 E. 22nd Pl.

            Rabbi Charles Sherman

 

            Beth Torah Synagogue  (Orthodox)

            Chabad House

            6622 S. Utica

            Rabbi Yehuda Weg

 

•           Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art  

2021 E. 71 Street, Tulsa, OK 74136

            Brenda Michael-Haggard, Interim Executive Director

 

•           Zarrow Campus,  2021 E. 71st St.

            •  Jewish Federation of Tulsa

            •  Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center

                        Barry A. Abels, Executive Director

            •  Heritage Academy

                        Dr. Sandi Tilkin, Director

            •  Tulsa Jewish Retirement & Health Care Center

                        Jim Jakubovitz, Executive Director

 

 

            In addition to its excellent facilities, Tulsa has active Jewish organizations such as:

 

            B'nai B'rith Lodge

            Jewish Women International

            American Israel Public Affairs Committee

 

            We hope your stay in Tulsa is one you will always remember.  If further information or assistance is needed, call the Jewish Federation of Tulsa at 495-1100.