Local Organizations

Organizations and History

In 1937, there were fewer than ten Jewish families living in the Desert Area.  During World War II, General Patton’s Jewish trainees came in from desert training, and Friday night home hospitality was offered to lonely Jewish soldiers.  When the El Mirador Hotel was transformed into a Hospital for South Pacific casualties, Jewish servicemen and their families recognized the need to establish communal services.  Records show that in 1946, the first United Jewish Communities Campaign in this community received 84 donations and raised over $7,000.00!

Today, the Palm Springs and Desert Area Jewish Community is growing and thriving.  There are services for individuals of all ages, congregational communities for all sects of Judaism, and a growing Jewish world to be part of.  Each year many make the Desert Area their Winter home, and as the Valley grows many more families are settling in as full-time residents.  Coachella Valley has grown into a multi-generational community.   A recent Jewish population census suggested that there are over 20,000 Jews in our community.