Newton Rosenzweig Papers

Newton Rosenzweig was born in Phoenix, Arizona on December 21, 1905 to Isaac and Rosa (Gross) Rosenzweig, both Austrian immigrants. He, his brother Harry, and sister Anna grew up with the Goldwater children, Barry, Bob, and Carolyn. Those close ties endured throughout their lives.

The Rosenzweig name has long been associated with the jewelry business in Arizona. When Newton Rosenzweig graduated from the University of Michigan in 1927, he began working in his father's downtown Phoenix jewelry store (later known as I. Rosenzweig and Sons). It was a name synonymous with quality and customer service. Rosenzweig later served in World War II as an army lieutenant in transportation and special services. He returned to booming post war growth and opportunities to expand his entrepreneurial and civic/cultural interests.

By the time he married Elizabeth J. Dabney in 1956, the family business had grown. Rosenzweig had also made significant contributions both in money and time to the Phoenix community. He helped found the Phoenix Symphony Association, organized various charitable organizations, and was an active participant in reforming city government. Rosenzweig co-founded the influential Charter Government Committee that launched the political career of Barry Goldwater. He also served a term on the Phoenix City Council. Promoting leadership - civic and political - became a lifelong interest. Included in the goal of municipal change was Rosenzweig's vision of a downtown Phoenix skyline as the hub for big business.

The Rosenzweig brothers formed the North Central Development Corporation with the Del Webb Corporation in 1959. Together they developed the Rosenzweig Center, one of the first tower buildings in Phoenix to house national corporate headquarters like Greyhound Bus Lines. The adjacent Del Webb Towne House served as a business hotel with the amenities of a resort. This arrangement was made possible by leveraging land along Central Avenue originally held by Isaac Rosenzweig. The brothers also led the initiative for the Phoenix convention center and auditorium. Rosenzweig investments were diverse, ranging from real estate to municipal bonds.

Downtown development, urban renewal, and an economic/cultural corridor in Phoenix occupied Newton Rosenzweig for the next 40 years. Rosenzweig served on or was appointed to bank boards, task forces, county and state commissions, retailer associations, study groups, health care advisory boards, and education committees. He brought a tough, analytical approach to problem-solving and a scholarly bent for researching background information. He was a dogged writer of letters to the editor. Much of his work influenced votes, promoted change in public policy, improved funding for human services, and increased professionalism in non-profit governance.

Together, Betty and Newton Rosenzweig served on and raised funds for over 75 religious, charitable, cultural, educational, and political organizations. Among these institutions are St. Luke's Hospital, the American Jewish Committee, Arizona Community Foundation, United Way, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona State University, Phoenix Little Theatre, and the Foundation for Blind Children. Although childless, they had an abiding interest in children's health care, early education, and overall welfare. Newton Rosenzweig's many awards include Phoenix Man of the Year, the Jewish Federation Medal of Honor, the Phoenix Humanitarian Award, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Arizona State University.

Hailed as a civic giant and the last of the civic statesmen, Newton Rosenzweig died on February 5, 2002 at the age of 96. He wished to be remembered not as a philanthropist but as a person who cared and tried to help in whatever ways he could.