Brief History

1972: The IJHS was founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
1972: Joe Levine became the first Executive Director.
1995: Eileen Baitcher became the Executive Director.
1999: The IJHS archival collections were donated to the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis.
2002: The IJHS endowment was established.
2016: The first annual Hoosier Jewish Legends Awards were held.
2017: The IJHS office moved from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis.
2017: Wendy Soltz became the Executive Director.
2018: IJHS Lifetime Membership was introduced.

Our Lifetime Members

Linda Cohen, West Lafayette

Gerald and Adele Kraft, Indianapolis

Kevin Krulewitch and Rosanne Ammirati, Indianapolis

Joe Leffel, Naples, FL

Leona Rosenberg*, Chicago

Jeffrey and Nancy Trockman, Evansville

Rick and Rita Weinstein, Paradise Valley, AZ

Leonid and Marina Grabovsky, Carmel

Richard Zeckel, Carmel

Our Board

The Board of Directors consists of members from around the state, serving two consecutive three-year terms (representing their communities). IJHS members vote to elect each Board member. The Board of Directors annually appoints our Executive Board, which consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Executive positions are limited to two 2-year consecutive terms. The IJHS employs an executive director.